'Skinny fat' - any ideas very welcome!

WeaselbeanzMum
WeaselbeanzMum Posts: 23 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi :smile:

I'm having a bit of a 'skinny fat' problem and wondered if any of you amazing folk have hit this before, and if so how did you get around it?

A bit of scene setting - I'm a busy (very!) 45 year old working Mum who lost both parents to cancer in recent years. I've been somewhere between 'a bit' and 'a lot' overweight for years, so about 7 months ago I decided to clean up my act because I want to be around for my kids for a while longer yet....

I switched to eating clean (essentially paleo, but with evening carbs in the form of white rice or potatoes), I do HIT or short burst workouts, step and weight training - although all in not more than about 30 mins per day, probably about 5 days a week because I just can't fit in any more!

On the plus side, I've now dropped 50lb and am target (teenage!) weight, which I have to say is awesome :smile:

The flip side, is that having been overweight and unhealthy for a lot of years I have some loose subcutaneous fat hanging around my upper abdomen and inner thighs. Ok, I know I'm healthy and in reality it shouldn't matter (vanity! :blush: ) but it drives me bananas!

I'm trying to go with the eat-a-bit-more, up-the-strength-training anti as I figure that's the only way to combat it really, but am I missing something? could I be doing something better / smarter?

Any thoughts very much appreciated!!! :smiley:

Thank you!

Replies

  • WeaselbeanzMum
    WeaselbeanzMum Posts: 23 Member
    Oops, just realised some stats might have helped - sorry! I'm 5ft 6" and currently weigh 122lb. I don't need to particularly, but I can stand to lose about another 6lb (based on my frame size, I'm average build, not super skinny bone structure), but more than that and I start to look a bit skeletal. I really don't mind if I don't lose any more weight if I'm substituting it with muscle.

    Does that give enough to go on?
  • lillemeddy85
    lillemeddy85 Posts: 19 Member
    You're not missing anything. Eat a little more, and focus on strength training, give it some time, be consistent, and you'll get there!! :)
  • darrensurrey
    darrensurrey Posts: 3,942 Member
    Lift heavy. Build muscle. Maintain weight. Look fit and healthy.

    You weight is fine if it's not just fat IYSWIM!
  • lisalsd1
    lisalsd1 Posts: 1,519 Member
    At 5'6 and 122, you don't need to lose weight. You need to lift heavy. Google Stacy from Nerdfitness. That'll explain it.
  • WeaselbeanzMum
    WeaselbeanzMum Posts: 23 Member
    lisalsd1 wrote: »
    At 5'6 and 122, you don't need to lose weight. You need to lift heavy. Google Stacy from Nerdfitness. That'll explain it.

    Fantastic, supportive answers guys, so much thanks!!! :smiley:
    @lisalsd1, I read the whole article and it makes perfect sense to me - Not really sure, at 45, that getting to Stacy's level is quite where I need to be but it DEFINITELY confirms it is the way to go! :smile:

    I only have a little house and so far everything I have done has been home equipment based. Realistically it looks like a smart move would be to migrate at least some of it to a gym...
  • lisalsd1
    lisalsd1 Posts: 1,519 Member
    I'm 35 and also not gotten to Stacy's level; not a big deal. It might take longer at 45 than 25 to achieve goals; but I imagine goals at 45 are different than at 25 anyway.
  • luvhandles74
    luvhandles74 Posts: 85 Member
    I think you are right on track! Building muscle now will be what smoothes out that skin for you. Either lifting or body weight resistance routines depending on what equipment you have in your home or the time you have for the gym. I do home workouts in the mornings because I work full time as well and have a 10 year old so time is limited. I would eat for maintenance or just over and work on the muscle.

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