Not sure how to get ideal body shape from here

If you do have loose skin it can take a couple of years post weight loss to really see where you are but it may be that in certain area of your body it's never going to be "toned" because the skin is in the way of showing the underlying muscle.

It's always great to hear weight loss stories! A couple of things come to my mind as I read your request as well as your replies. #1 - weight loss and gaining muscle are not mutually exclusive. As a matter of fact, the more muscle you can gain, the more calories you will use per day, which will HELP you lose MORE fat. I would highly recommend taking a branched chain amino acid (like AdvoCare's "product called Catalyst) that will promote protein production and curb metabolization of your muscle during periods of calorie restriction. If you don't supplement, weight train, and watch your protein intake, up to 30% of your weight loss could actually be muscle loss. Secondly, your resting metabolic rate has most definitely changed since you started. You need to make sure the calorie recommendation you had at first is now actually less than when you started. I'm sure my fitness pal factors that in . . . Best way to tell for sure is go get your body fat % checked. Your metabolic rate (calories you burn per day) is 25.8 * lean mass + 4.04 * fat mass. Lastly, I'm not sure what you're doing for exercise, but you're going to want to focus on weight training, yes, but also some higher intensity cardio. An example of this might be snatching a kettle bell for 10 minutes (7 or so snatches per arm every minute), or running 3 miles, one mile at a time at a faster pace (instead of 3 miles at once). This will keep you in glycolysis and burn some of those carbs you've ingested! Best of luck to you, and my apologies for such a lengthy reply!

scott_larson wrote: »

It's always great to hear weight loss stories! A couple of things come to my mind as I read your request as well as your replies. #1 - weight loss and gaining muscle are not mutually exclusive. As a matter of fact, the more muscle you can gain, the more calories you will use per day, which will HELP you lose MORE fat. I would highly recommend taking a branched chain amino acid (like AdvoCare's "product called Catalyst) that will promote protein production and curb metabolization of your muscle during periods of calorie restriction. If you don't supplement, weight train, and watch your protein intake, up to 30% of your weight loss could actually be muscle loss. Secondly, your resting metabolic rate has most definitely changed since you started. You need to make sure the calorie recommendation you had at first is now actually less than when you started. I'm sure my fitness pal factors that in . . . Best way to tell for sure is go get your body fat % checked. Your metabolic rate (calories you burn per day) is 25.8 * lean mass + 4.04 * fat mass. Lastly, I'm not sure what you're doing for exercise, but you're going to want to focus on weight training, yes, but also some higher intensity cardio. An example of this might be snatching a kettle bell for 10 minutes (7 or so snatches per arm every minute), or running 3 miles, one mile at a time at a faster pace (instead of 3 miles at once). This will keep you in glycolysis and burn some of those carbs you've ingested! Best of luck to you, and my apologies for such a lengthy reply!

BCAA's are a waste of money if someone gets adequate protein. All of the studies done on them only show benefits for people eating a very low protein diet. It's highly unlikely anyone on here is eating that low calories or that low of protein.

ilovefastcarstoo wrote: »

Thanks! That was the plan... I've just read so many things about bulking and things to gain muscle but I think I still need to lose more weight before worrying about that.

Definitely - I don't recommend bulking until you've lost all the fat you want. I was at a similar height and weight - in 5'4, and at about 145 lbs (40 pound loss at that point) I started incorporating strength training. I was still able to lose fat while gaining muscle in a deficit at that point. I got down to 127 and am now doing a recomp; eating at maintenance/a very modest surplus and still incorporating cardio. I'm now still about 127 pounds but am feeling great and gaining a lot of muscle/seeing incredible changes in my body! It's hard to transition to a bulk because you're still a beginner and your body is not necessarily accustomed/efficient at turning a calorie surplus into muscle yet instead of fat.

My recommendation is definitely start a lifting program - you'll see amazing results.

Good luck and congrats on the loss- that's amazing!

I second the start lifting now! advice. If your goal is lean and strong, I think that's achievable just by eating at a slight deficit and lifting.

Just for example's sake--
I started New Rules of Lifting for Women in April at about 145 lbs (5'4") and added a bit more cardio than the program recommended, ate about 1800 calories (and nearly all my exercise calories). I hit 127 in October and felt awesome. I'm 124.5 now and see some decent muscle definition. I'm not sure i have the temperament to bulk--I added a lifting day, lifted heavier, and ate more for about 6 weeks. Gained 8 lbs. hated it. Lost it again and think I'm going the recomp route

TavistockToad wrote: »

Keep losing weight, lift heavy stuff while you do it...

THIS. Eat at maintenance and lift HEAVY. You'll be amazed. Recomp is a really awesome thing.