Recomposition: Maintaining weight while losing fat
Replies
-
frankie671 wrote: »frankie671 wrote: »My question... anyone who knows a bit about body recomping, do you think I'm ready to do so or should I lose weight first? I'm 4ft 11in, aged 24, female, 120lbs, BMI of 24, body fat of 25%, have been weight training 4x a week for about 2 months, walk every day and do cardio for an hour on a Saturday. I don't mind my weight, it's just a number, but I want to get lean. Would trying to recomp be futile? Should I be aiming for a certain BMI first or something? I don't mind if it takes a long time, just want to know if it's worth actually doing. The idea of a bulk and then a cut terrifies me (history of eating problems).
You can recomp at any weight or bodyfat %. You may not be able to see the results easily when you aren't so lean of course but that doesn't change the process or the benefits.
Yes you can get leaner by recomping, but that's a bit different to getting lean at 4'11" and 120lbs.
Totally agree with the points made by @psulemon
Remember that deficit doesn't have to be large (at the tail end of my weight loss I was down to 1lb/month deficit) and it doesn't have to be every day. I'm a bit weird (in so many ways!
) but I feel far less restricted when cutting weight by mostly eating at maintenance and having odd days with a deficit. Just like recomp losing the last few pounds can take a long time if you wish.
Regarding....
Your health is far more important than vanity pounds or a certain look so don't risk triggering issues, be kind to yourself.The idea of a bulk and then a cut terrifies me (history of eating problems).
Thanks so much for your advice. On this point: 'Yes you can get leaner by recomping, but that's a bit different to getting lean at 4'11" and 120lbs.' do you mean that the only way to get that 'lean' look at my height would be to do a bulk and a cut? Sorry if I sound stupid!
Nope - bulk and cut isn't magic, you can get to your genetic potential either way.
Just suggesting that lean at your height and 120lbs might be ambitious or at least take quite a long time. Building muscle isn't a fast process irrespective of calorie balance (unless you are particularly gifted).
Does depend what you regard as lean of course, lean in physique competition terms is very different to lean in general population terms.
This is a key point! I'm talking general population terms. Competition physique is a whole other matter that I will never experience.
1 -
Ah yes! Well I don't want to look competition lean (actually, I would love to, but I haven't quite got that level of dedication!) but lean as in maybe get to about 18%-20% body fat. I've always been good at losing large quantities of weight but I've never really shifted the fat so this time I am determinnnned!0
-
frankie671 wrote: »Ah yes! Well I don't want to look competition lean (actually, I would love to, but I haven't quite got that level of dedication!) but lean as in maybe get to about 18%-20% body fat. I've always been good at losing large quantities of weight but I've never really shifted the fat so this time I am determinnnned!
Just continue doing what you are doing and 18-20% should be achievable and that is lean.1 -
frankie671 wrote: »Ah yes! Well I don't want to look competition lean (actually, I would love to, but I haven't quite got that level of dedication!) but lean as in maybe get to about 18%-20% body fat. I've always been good at losing large quantities of weight but I've never really shifted the fat so this time I am determinnnned!
In my "general population" world your profile pic looks lean. My perspective is rather subjective. Wow. @20% I would be doing the happy dance!0 -
Awesome! Watch this space
It's funny really, I never used to be a huge fan of exercise (always been active but never a gym goer) and for some reason something has 'clicked' this year and I now absolutely love it, can't wait to get down there every day. So hopefully, I will stick to this. 0 -
frankie671 wrote: »Awesome! Watch this space It's funny really, I never used to be a huge fan of exercise (always been active but never a gym goer) and for some reason something has 'clicked' this year and I now absolutely love it, can't wait to get down there every day. So hopefully, I will stick to this.
That's great, enjoy the ride.0 -
Where can we learn more about recomposition? I am at a weight im okay with, and have 20 to 23% BF depending on the method of measurement;all i really want right now is to recompose so i have more muscle as opposed to fat. (The jigggly bit between my thighs is still there,for example, whereas everywhere else i have slimmed down).
I currently do kickboxing 4 times a week, and bodyweight resistance training--not much else.is there a way to recompose with just this or must i lift?0 -
Where can we learn more about recomposition? I am at a weight im okay with, and have 20 to 23% BF depending on the method of measurement;all i really want right now is to recompose so i have more muscle as opposed to fat. (The jigggly bit between my thighs is still there,for example, whereas everywhere else i have slimmed down).
I currently do kickboxing 4 times a week, and bodyweight resistance training--not much else.is there a way to recompose with just this or must i lift?
This entire thread is about recomping. I'd suggest reading (skimming) it through as many of your questions have likely been answered.5 -
Where can we learn more about recomposition? I am at a weight im okay with, and have 20 to 23% BF depending on the method of measurement;all i really want right now is to recompose so i have more muscle as opposed to fat. (The jigggly bit between my thighs is still there,for example, whereas everywhere else i have slimmed down).
I currently do kickboxing 4 times a week, and bodyweight resistance training--not much else.is there a way to recompose with just this or must i lift?
-- progressive overload. Bodyweight resistance training alone isn't enough to recomp because your goal is to increase muscles. You have to progressively increase your weights to build muscle.
0 -
lilaclovebird wrote: »Ive never been able get much better than her 10 month look (which is fantastic imo) plus sunflowerhippi gained 2 pounds.
Maybe a diet adjustment? Maybe lifting heavier?
I haven't really gotten much farther than probably where she was at the 8 month mark. :grumble: So I know THAT struggle.
I'm changing up my own routine and diet a little bit to see if I can get some more changes over the next few months.
Thanks. I was hoping Sunflowerhippi would share "how" specifically she did it. Amazing results!
Sorry I don't get onto a computer often to check back into threads. I am usually on here on my phone. I missed all these comments.
I got lazy with my diet and at around maintenance, within 100 calories or so plus or minus was my goal that I didn't always keep as the scale would tell me, but kept progressing with my lifting. I was in the middle of 2 big challenges I am participating in and I let that "break" mean a surplus for a bit. Opps I am also a sick sick little girl mentally and actually enjoy ab work lol so I do weighted decline sit ups (3-5 sets of 20 or so with varied 25-50lbs dumbbells), hanging weighted leg lifts (tucks, pikes, side bends), 45lb plate side bends. I do abs everyday on top of whatever my scheduled workout is. Then there is the ab use in deadlifts, squats, good mornings.
I also just am genetically lucky. I have what I would best describe/say is shallow ab muscles and even overweight they are visible. At 190lbs I could see the outline of them, now I am 50lbs less then that so even with my loose skin they are pretty visible flexed/unflexed.2 -
Thanks for responding. 0
-
My brother is genetically fortunate also. He always has a nice abdomen and doesn't gain much fat over his abdominals.0
-
Where can we learn more about recomposition? I am at a weight im okay with, and have 20 to 23% BF depending on the method of measurement;all i really want right now is to recompose so i have more muscle as opposed to fat. (The jigggly bit between my thighs is still there,for example, whereas everywhere else i have slimmed down).
I currently do kickboxing 4 times a week, and bodyweight resistance training--not much else.is there a way to recompose with just this or must i lift?
-- progressive overload. Bodyweight resistance training alone isn't enough to recomp because your goal is to increase muscles. You have to progressively increase your weights to build muscle.
I would have to disagree. I would say a better way to say this is it is far more difficult do recomp with bodyweight training because to increase load you have to get very creative. Gymnasts generally only do bodyweight training, but they are really built. Weights make it much much easier, and quicker.3 -
rileysowner wrote: »Where can we learn more about recomposition? I am at a weight im okay with, and have 20 to 23% BF depending on the method of measurement;all i really want right now is to recompose so i have more muscle as opposed to fat. (The jigggly bit between my thighs is still there,for example, whereas everywhere else i have slimmed down).
I currently do kickboxing 4 times a week, and bodyweight resistance training--not much else.is there a way to recompose with just this or must i lift?
-- progressive overload. Bodyweight resistance training alone isn't enough to recomp because your goal is to increase muscles. You have to progressively increase your weights to build muscle.
I would have to disagree. I would say a better way to say this is it is far more difficult do recomp with bodyweight training because to increase load you have to get very creative. Gymnasts generally only do bodyweight training, but they are really built. Weights make it much much easier, and quicker.
Yes I think anyone involved in gymnastic strength training would agree that body weight training is enough to recoup. To a point of course...0 -
rileysowner wrote: »Where can we learn more about recomposition? I am at a weight im okay with, and have 20 to 23% BF depending on the method of measurement;all i really want right now is to recompose so i have more muscle as opposed to fat. (The jigggly bit between my thighs is still there,for example, whereas everywhere else i have slimmed down).
I currently do kickboxing 4 times a week, and bodyweight resistance training--not much else.is there a way to recompose with just this or must i lift?
-- progressive overload. Bodyweight resistance training alone isn't enough to recomp because your goal is to increase muscles. You have to progressively increase your weights to build muscle.
I would have to disagree. I would say a better way to say this is it is far more difficult do recomp with bodyweight training because to increase load you have to get very creative. Gymnasts generally only do bodyweight training, but they are really built. Weights make it much much easier, and quicker.
Yes I think anyone involved in gymnastic strength training would agree that body weight training is enough to recoup. To a point of course...
Also, competitive swimmers. Although they do some weight training eventually. But they build some amazing muscles using mostly bodyweight and water resistance. I should post pix of my young men!
But I think the point is that you are still progressing with reps or time spent when you are using bodyweight. At some point, the time spent/number of reps will become cumbersome. And actual lifting while adding resistance (weight) is more efficient.
1 -
rileysowner wrote: »Where can we learn more about recomposition? I am at a weight im okay with, and have 20 to 23% BF depending on the method of measurement;all i really want right now is to recompose so i have more muscle as opposed to fat. (The jigggly bit between my thighs is still there,for example, whereas everywhere else i have slimmed down).
I currently do kickboxing 4 times a week, and bodyweight resistance training--not much else.is there a way to recompose with just this or must i lift?
-- progressive overload. Bodyweight resistance training alone isn't enough to recomp because your goal is to increase muscles. You have to progressively increase your weights to build muscle.
I would have to disagree. I would say a better way to say this is it is far more difficult do recomp with bodyweight training because to increase load you have to get very creative. Gymnasts generally only do bodyweight training, but they are really built. Weights make it much much easier, and quicker.
Yes I think anyone involved in gymnastic strength training would agree that body weight training is enough to recoup. To a point of course...
Also, competitive swimmers. Although they do some weight training eventually. But they build some amazing muscles using mostly bodyweight and water resistance. I should post pix of my young men!
But I think the point is that you are still progressing with reps or time spent when you are using bodyweight. At some point, the time spent/number of reps will become cumbersome. And actual lifting while adding resistance (weight) is more efficient.
It is partly a reps thing, partly knowing how to progress. With weights it is easy, add more weight to the bar, with bodyweight you need to change leaver points, change exercises, and the like. There is a point where people will run out of options, but for most people that is quite far in if they know how to progress. For example, push-ups. Standard pushups can be made more difficult with changes in the lever point, but then one will need to progress with partial planche push-ups, then full planche push-ups. After that, there is really not a way to progress that I know of, but it would likely take the average person quite a while before they max out on reps with full planche push-ups. The other place bodyweight is weak is in training back and leg muscles as there are few ways to progress with them that don't involve more reps. Going to single arm or single leg is about it.
While I am convinced a person can re-comp with bodyweight exercise alone, I personally don't have the patience for it. I would much rather use weights for the simplicity and speed. At this point in my life I really don't want to put that much thought into my programs.5 -
rileysowner wrote: »Where can we learn more about recomposition? I am at a weight im okay with, and have 20 to 23% BF depending on the method of measurement;all i really want right now is to recompose so i have more muscle as opposed to fat. (The jigggly bit between my thighs is still there,for example, whereas everywhere else i have slimmed down).
I currently do kickboxing 4 times a week, and bodyweight resistance training--not much else.is there a way to recompose with just this or must i lift?
-- progressive overload. Bodyweight resistance training alone isn't enough to recomp because your goal is to increase muscles. You have to progressively increase your weights to build muscle.
I would have to disagree. I would say a better way to say this is it is far more difficult do recomp with bodyweight training because to increase load you have to get very creative. Gymnasts generally only do bodyweight training, but they are really built. Weights make it much much easier, and quicker.
Yes I think anyone involved in gymnastic strength training would agree that body weight training is enough to recoup. To a point of course...
Also, competitive swimmers. Although they do some weight training eventually. But they build some amazing muscles using mostly bodyweight and water resistance. I should post pix of my young men!
But I think the point is that you are still progressing with reps or time spent when you are using bodyweight. At some point, the time spent/number of reps will become cumbersome. And actual lifting while adding resistance (weight) is more efficient.
Not essentially about reps. The body weight exercises have to progress to more challenging ones. Example would be a pike press with feet on the floor, then feet elevated, then full on handstand press up...3 -
rileysowner wrote: »Where can we learn more about recomposition? I am at a weight im okay with, and have 20 to 23% BF depending on the method of measurement;all i really want right now is to recompose so i have more muscle as opposed to fat. (The jigggly bit between my thighs is still there,for example, whereas everywhere else i have slimmed down).
I currently do kickboxing 4 times a week, and bodyweight resistance training--not much else.is there a way to recompose with just this or must i lift?
-- progressive overload. Bodyweight resistance training alone isn't enough to recomp because your goal is to increase muscles. You have to progressively increase your weights to build muscle.
I would have to disagree. I would say a better way to say this is it is far more difficult do recomp with bodyweight training because to increase load you have to get very creative. Gymnasts generally only do bodyweight training, but they are really built. Weights make it much much easier, and quicker.
Yes I think anyone involved in gymnastic strength training would agree that body weight training is enough to recoup. To a point of course...
Also, competitive swimmers. Although they do some weight training eventually. But they build some amazing muscles using mostly bodyweight and water resistance. I should post pix of my young men!
But I think the point is that you are still progressing with reps or time spent when you are using bodyweight. At some point, the time spent/number of reps will become cumbersome. And actual lifting while adding resistance (weight) is more efficient.
OP already is doing body weight resistance training.
0 -
rileysowner wrote: »Where can we learn more about recomposition? I am at a weight im okay with, and have 20 to 23% BF depending on the method of measurement;all i really want right now is to recompose so i have more muscle as opposed to fat. (The jigggly bit between my thighs is still there,for example, whereas everywhere else i have slimmed down).
I currently do kickboxing 4 times a week, and bodyweight resistance training--not much else.is there a way to recompose with just this or must i lift?
-- progressive overload. Bodyweight resistance training alone isn't enough to recomp because your goal is to increase muscles. You have to progressively increase your weights to build muscle.
I would have to disagree. I would say a better way to say this is it is far more difficult do recomp with bodyweight training because to increase load you have to get very creative. Gymnasts generally only do bodyweight training, but they are really built. Weights make it much much easier, and quicker.
Yes I think anyone involved in gymnastic strength training would agree that body weight training is enough to recoup. To a point of course...
Also, competitive swimmers. Although they do some weight training eventually. But they build some amazing muscles using mostly bodyweight and water resistance. I should post pix of my young men!
But I think the point is that you are still progressing with reps or time spent when you are using bodyweight. At some point, the time spent/number of reps will become cumbersome. And actual lifting while adding resistance (weight) is more efficient.
Not essentially about reps. The body weight exercises have to progress to more challenging ones. Example would be a pike press with feet on the floor, then feet elevated, then full on handstand press up...
Good points here and above. For me, it is difficult to add more challenge without it being too much. I am past the "beginner" stage but don't necessarily have the balance, coordination, strength, athleticism, etc to progress to the harder exercises. I did some video programs and ran into this roadblock near the end of the programs.
But with weights you can progress more gradually. A few pounds added instead of 10 lbs added,etc.
So it is definitely simpler and more efficient to do weight training if you can.1 -
rileysowner wrote: »Where can we learn more about recomposition? I am at a weight im okay with, and have 20 to 23% BF depending on the method of measurement;all i really want right now is to recompose so i have more muscle as opposed to fat. (The jigggly bit between my thighs is still there,for example, whereas everywhere else i have slimmed down).
I currently do kickboxing 4 times a week, and bodyweight resistance training--not much else.is there a way to recompose with just this or must i lift?
-- progressive overload. Bodyweight resistance training alone isn't enough to recomp because your goal is to increase muscles. You have to progressively increase your weights to build muscle.
I would have to disagree. I would say a better way to say this is it is far more difficult do recomp with bodyweight training because to increase load you have to get very creative. Gymnasts generally only do bodyweight training, but they are really built. Weights make it much much easier, and quicker.
Yes I think anyone involved in gymnastic strength training would agree that body weight training is enough to recoup. To a point of course...
Agreed have you seen how shredded the U.S. Women's olympic gymnasts are? I mean I know they're olympic gymnasts and probably incorporate strength training, but their eight pack abs seriously give bodybuilders a run for their money. Body weight exercise can recomp the body, it will just be slower than a traditional strength training program.1
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 391.3K Introduce Yourself
- 43.4K Getting Started
- 259.7K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.6K Food and Nutrition
- 47.3K Recipes
- 232.3K Fitness and Exercise
- 387 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.4K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 152.7K Motivation and Support
- 7.8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.4K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.2K MyFitnessPal Information
- 22 News and Announcements
- 900 Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.2K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions