Do I need to lose weight or tone up?
sweetpeteleaf
Posts: 12 Member
I just made an account today, and I'm not really sure where to go with this question but here, I'm sorry if this has been covered a lot. I'm a 5'7'' girl and I weigh about 124.5 pounds. I started at about 140, and it's been about 2 months since I've gotten down to this weight. I've heard being below 120 at my height is too thin, but I have a problem. I look fat. I dont know if I'm what they call "skinny-fat" and therefore I need to start lifting weights, or if I'm actually still just fat. I eat between 1200-1300 calories a day and recently I was doing cardio for an hour every day, but I injured myself after doing stair climbing for an hour, and so I've been resting my legs since friday. i was planning to get back to it tomorrow, but with a bit less time so i dont hurt myself again. the cardio and amount of calories i mentioned is how i lost the weight. and while i do look a BIT smaller, and im at a small-ish weight for my height, im unsure if i should keep going this route, or if i should ditch the cardio, start using weights, and change my intake. would i be correct in saying im skinny-fat? Or is there a chance I need to lose more still? Im having a lot of trouble with this!
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Replies
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check your BF%. Either use a tape measure and an online tool (US Navy Method, YMCA method, etc... I think both of those have estimates for women), get measured with calipers, or look at a BF% chart - http://www.builtlean.com/2012/09/24/body-fat-percentage-men-women/ - or any combination of the 3 as a best estimate. Recognize that they aren't perfect, but you are just trying to evaluate your current state and figure out what range you are in (for example, I know I'm at 10-12% BF and that is accurate enough for me).
If your BF% isn't too low, then you can lose more fat and that will lead to a more "toned" look that you are after. Since you are on the low side (BMI) you should probably focus on building muscle more than losing weight. Eat at maintenance, eat 0.82g of protein per lb of bodyweight every day (on average, so slightly under a day or 2 isn't a big deal), and get on a progressive full body lifting program (like Strong Curves, New Rules of Lifting for women, Starting Strength, Strong Lifts 5x5, etc...). If you lose a little weight, it isn't a huge deal unless your BF% is also really low, but it wouldn't be my focus.
You don't have to ditch the cardio, but you need to eat to fuel your workouts.0 -
Lifting heavy things at the gym solves all of the world's problems, so I recommend doing that (provided that you enjoy it after you try). Lifting heavy things can also help with your posture, so you may end up carrying your weight in a more flattering way (although you may already have great posture).
That said, I can't tell if you're "skinny-fat" (I hate that term) or not without pictures. All bodies are different, and it's hard to recommend anything without actually knowing who you're recommending it to.0 -
Based on your numbers, you will get better results at this time from doing less cardio and more resistance training. If your physical description is accurate, it doesn't matter what your body fat percentage is.0
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okay, thank you everyone for your help, I wasn't sure what I should be doing0
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This might help you make your mind up. http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/977538/halp-heavy-lifting-made-me-supah-bulky0
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^ thank you!! it definitely does. i can't really afford to go to the gym or anything to use the equipment there but maybe i can save money for weights or something0
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sweetpeteleaf wrote: »^ thank you!! it definitely does. i can't really afford to go to the gym or anything to use the equipment there but maybe i can save money for weights or something
Personally I'd find a way to afford the gym. You'll progress past your weights fairly quickly being a beginner. Considering they're generally $1 per pound, that'll add up fairly quickly. You can probably find a gym with a one year deal on passes. There are several in my town who offer female passes for as low as $25 a month.
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sweetpeteleaf wrote: »^ thank you!! it definitely does. i can't really afford to go to the gym or anything to use the equipment there but maybe i can save money for weights or something
Personally I'd find a way to afford the gym. You'll progress past your weights fairly quickly being a beginner. Considering they're generally $1 per pound, that'll add up fairly quickly. You can probably find a gym with a one year deal on passes. There are several in my town who offer female passes for as low as $25 a month.
oh really? i didn't know that. thats not so bad and I could probably go, thanks for letting me know. my mom has always made it sound like it was very expensive.0 -
sweetpeteleaf wrote: »sweetpeteleaf wrote: »^ thank you!! it definitely does. i can't really afford to go to the gym or anything to use the equipment there but maybe i can save money for weights or something
Personally I'd find a way to afford the gym. You'll progress past your weights fairly quickly being a beginner. Considering they're generally $1 per pound, that'll add up fairly quickly. You can probably find a gym with a one year deal on passes. There are several in my town who offer female passes for as low as $25 a month.
oh really? i didn't know that. thats not so bad and I could probably go, thanks for letting me know. my mom has always made it sound like it was very expensive.
No it really isnt, for my pass at a fairly new gym with steam rooms and such is $50 a month, including 10% off at fuel supplement stores and other retailers in town. It all depends on the gym, the package you choose, and whether or not you're a student.
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sweetpeteleaf wrote: »I just made an account today, and I'm not really sure where to go with this question but here, I'm sorry if this has been covered a lot. I'm a 5'7'' girl and I weigh about 124.5 pounds. I started at about 140, and it's been about 2 months since I've gotten down to this weight. I've heard being below 120 at my height is too thin, but I have a problem. I look fat. I dont know if I'm what they call "skinny-fat" and therefore I need to start lifting weights, or if I'm actually still just fat. I eat between 1200-1300 calories a day and recently I was doing cardio for an hour every day, but I injured myself after doing stair climbing for an hour, and so I've been resting my legs since friday. i was planning to get back to it tomorrow, but with a bit less time so i dont hurt myself again. the cardio and amount of calories i mentioned is how i lost the weight. and while i do look a BIT smaller, and im at a small-ish weight for my height, im unsure if i should keep going this route, or if i should ditch the cardio, start using weights, and change my intake. would i be correct in saying im skinny-fat? Or is there a chance I need to lose more still? Im having a lot of trouble with this!
Since your profile says you are 18, you have a BMI at the low end of normal, and you are regularly exercising, if I had to bet money on what is going on, I would say you are neither fat nor skinny fat, but just suffering from the usual teenager girl issue: negative body image. Based on your stats, you cannot be fat and anyone your age regularly exercising cannot look out of shape. You can add some resistance training and for sure it will help you look better. Especially since you are young, my advice would be to focus on finding something you enjoy. A sport, a class, running, yoga, pilates, dancing, swimming, cycling. Find some physical activity that makes you feel good, focus on this, and do whatever else you think you need to complement this (e.g. more cardio if your basic activity is mostly resistance training, or resistance training if your main activity is cardio). If you do not feel it is fun, it will not be sustainable. And if you end up obsessed with goals and exercise to improve details, especially at such a young age, you will keep obsessing about your body not being perfect.0 -
sweetpeteleaf wrote: »I just made an account today, and I'm not really sure where to go with this question but here, I'm sorry if this has been covered a lot. I'm a 5'7'' girl and I weigh about 124.5 pounds. I started at about 140, and it's been about 2 months since I've gotten down to this weight. I've heard being below 120 at my height is too thin, but I have a problem. I look fat. I dont know if I'm what they call "skinny-fat" and therefore I need to start lifting weights, or if I'm actually still just fat. I eat between 1200-1300 calories a day and recently I was doing cardio for an hour every day, but I injured myself after doing stair climbing for an hour, and so I've been resting my legs since friday. i was planning to get back to it tomorrow, but with a bit less time so i dont hurt myself again. the cardio and amount of calories i mentioned is how i lost the weight. and while i do look a BIT smaller, and im at a small-ish weight for my height, im unsure if i should keep going this route, or if i should ditch the cardio, start using weights, and change my intake. would i be correct in saying im skinny-fat? Or is there a chance I need to lose more still? Im having a lot of trouble with this!
Since your profile says you are 18, you have a BMI at the low end of normal, and you are regularly exercising, if I had to bet money on what is going on, I would say you are neither fat nor skinny fat, but just suffering from the usual teenager girl issue: negative body image. Based on your stats, you cannot be fat and anyone your age regularly exercising cannot look out of shape. You can add some resistance training and for sure it will help you look better. Especially since you are young, my advice would be to focus on finding something you enjoy. A sport, a class, running, yoga, pilates, dancing, swimming, cycling. Find some physical activity that makes you feel good, focus on this, and do whatever else you think you need to complement this (e.g. more cardio if your basic activity is mostly resistance training, or resistance training if your main activity is cardio). If you do not feel it is fun, it will not be sustainable. And if you end up obsessed with goals and exercise to improve details, especially at such a young age, you will keep obsessing about your body not being perfect.
I do have a negative body image to a point, but I can also see where work needs to be done. I'm not "large" or overweight, but I do look out of shape. I have a higher body fat than I'm comfortable with, probably give or take 25% and I'd like to get down to 20. I think I'll try lifting weights or something to improve myself to my liking. Thank you for your advice.0 -
sweetpeteleaf wrote: »sweetpeteleaf wrote: »I just made an account today, and I'm not really sure where to go with this question but here, I'm sorry if this has been covered a lot. I'm a 5'7'' girl and I weigh about 124.5 pounds. I started at about 140, and it's been about 2 months since I've gotten down to this weight. I've heard being below 120 at my height is too thin, but I have a problem. I look fat. I dont know if I'm what they call "skinny-fat" and therefore I need to start lifting weights, or if I'm actually still just fat. I eat between 1200-1300 calories a day and recently I was doing cardio for an hour every day, but I injured myself after doing stair climbing for an hour, and so I've been resting my legs since friday. i was planning to get back to it tomorrow, but with a bit less time so i dont hurt myself again. the cardio and amount of calories i mentioned is how i lost the weight. and while i do look a BIT smaller, and im at a small-ish weight for my height, im unsure if i should keep going this route, or if i should ditch the cardio, start using weights, and change my intake. would i be correct in saying im skinny-fat? Or is there a chance I need to lose more still? Im having a lot of trouble with this!
Since your profile says you are 18, you have a BMI at the low end of normal, and you are regularly exercising, if I had to bet money on what is going on, I would say you are neither fat nor skinny fat, but just suffering from the usual teenager girl issue: negative body image. Based on your stats, you cannot be fat and anyone your age regularly exercising cannot look out of shape. You can add some resistance training and for sure it will help you look better. Especially since you are young, my advice would be to focus on finding something you enjoy. A sport, a class, running, yoga, pilates, dancing, swimming, cycling. Find some physical activity that makes you feel good, focus on this, and do whatever else you think you need to complement this (e.g. more cardio if your basic activity is mostly resistance training, or resistance training if your main activity is cardio). If you do not feel it is fun, it will not be sustainable. And if you end up obsessed with goals and exercise to improve details, especially at such a young age, you will keep obsessing about your body not being perfect.
I do have a negative body image to a point, but I can also see where work needs to be done. I'm not "large" or overweight, but I do look out of shape. I have a higher body fat than I'm comfortable with, probably give or take 25% and I'd like to get down to 20. I think I'll try lifting weights or something to improve myself to my liking. Thank you for your advice.
You asked if you are fat or skinny fat. This is not the same as trying for a bf % of 20. This is definitely a goal that does not correspond to the average woman. Nothing wrong with the goal, it is something you definitely can accomplish, but not being at 20% bf does not mean you are now looking bad or fat!0 -
sweetpeteleaf wrote: »^ thank you!! it definitely does. i can't really afford to go to the gym or anything to use the equipment there but maybe i can save money for weights or something
Planet Fitness is only $10 per month.
Does anyone know if you can get just a few sessions with PF trainers or do you get locked into a long term contract with them?
My gym has a limited use option whereby if you only go Tues, Thurs, Sat and Sun it's only $19.50 per month.
YMCAs having sliding scales based on income.0 -
sweetpeteleaf wrote: »sweetpeteleaf wrote: »I just made an account today, and I'm not really sure where to go with this question but here, I'm sorry if this has been covered a lot. I'm a 5'7'' girl and I weigh about 124.5 pounds. I started at about 140, and it's been about 2 months since I've gotten down to this weight. I've heard being below 120 at my height is too thin, but I have a problem. I look fat. I dont know if I'm what they call "skinny-fat" and therefore I need to start lifting weights, or if I'm actually still just fat. I eat between 1200-1300 calories a day and recently I was doing cardio for an hour every day, but I injured myself after doing stair climbing for an hour, and so I've been resting my legs since friday. i was planning to get back to it tomorrow, but with a bit less time so i dont hurt myself again. the cardio and amount of calories i mentioned is how i lost the weight. and while i do look a BIT smaller, and im at a small-ish weight for my height, im unsure if i should keep going this route, or if i should ditch the cardio, start using weights, and change my intake. would i be correct in saying im skinny-fat? Or is there a chance I need to lose more still? Im having a lot of trouble with this!
Since your profile says you are 18, you have a BMI at the low end of normal, and you are regularly exercising, if I had to bet money on what is going on, I would say you are neither fat nor skinny fat, but just suffering from the usual teenager girl issue: negative body image. Based on your stats, you cannot be fat and anyone your age regularly exercising cannot look out of shape. You can add some resistance training and for sure it will help you look better. Especially since you are young, my advice would be to focus on finding something you enjoy. A sport, a class, running, yoga, pilates, dancing, swimming, cycling. Find some physical activity that makes you feel good, focus on this, and do whatever else you think you need to complement this (e.g. more cardio if your basic activity is mostly resistance training, or resistance training if your main activity is cardio). If you do not feel it is fun, it will not be sustainable. And if you end up obsessed with goals and exercise to improve details, especially at such a young age, you will keep obsessing about your body not being perfect.
I do have a negative body image to a point, but I can also see where work needs to be done. I'm not "large" or overweight, but I do look out of shape. I have a higher body fat than I'm comfortable with, probably give or take 25% and I'd like to get down to 20. I think I'll try lifting weights or something to improve myself to my liking. Thank you for your advice.
You asked if you are fat or skinny fat. This is not the same as trying for a bf % of 20. This is definitely a goal that does not correspond to the average woman. Nothing wrong with the goal, it is something you definitely can accomplish, but not being at 20% bf does not mean you are now looking bad or fat!
Oh. I guess I just might see myself differently than? I'm not really sure what bf to aim for, but after seeing pictures of different bf percentages in women, 20% is where I want to be. Maybe I'm over exaggerating the problems I see with myself, but I am unhappy with how I look, and I would like to change it. Even if I'm not considered "bad" or "fat" I do want to make a change.0 -
kshama2001 wrote: »sweetpeteleaf wrote: »^ thank you!! it definitely does. i can't really afford to go to the gym or anything to use the equipment there but maybe i can save money for weights or something
Planet Fitness is only $10 per month.
Does anyone know if you can get just a few sessions with PF trainers or do you get locked into a long term contract with them?
I don't think I have one of those near me, but the good news is that my mom offered to go with me to check out the gyms in town and we were going to try to sort out the cost together. Thanks for letting me know
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The other option, at least for starting out, is bodyweight training. Books like You Are Your Own Gym by Mark Lauren or Convict Conditioning not sure on the author, can give you a good start. You might want to look into TRX/Suspension Training as well which is another option for strength training with primarily bodyweight. Bodyweight training requires creativity to increase the resistance as you progress, but it can be done. Realize that gymnasts generally don't train with anything but bodyweight and they have pretty amazing bodies.0
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rileysowner wrote: »The other option, at least for starting out, is bodyweight training. Books like You Are Your Own Gym by Mark Lauren or Convict Conditioning not sure on the author, can give you a good start. You might want to look into TRX/Suspension Training as well which is another option for strength training with primarily bodyweight. Bodyweight training requires creativity to increase the resistance as you progress, but it can be done. Realize that gymnasts generally don't train with anything but bodyweight and they have pretty amazing bodies.
thank you for mentioning this! i think i would be happier lifting weights at the gym but I don't know when I will have access to one, this could be something I do in the mean time 0
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