Muscles or not?

shakybabe
shakybabe Posts: 1,578 Member
edited October 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I want to lose weight and get down to around 9 -9st 7 which is healthy for my height (5ft 3 and half) and which I was previously many years ago. (currently at 11st 5 with monthly bloat)

Some people say they lose faster with diet alone cos they aren't building muscle at same time, but end up 'skinny fat' and after seeing programs on TV of people with folds of excess skin around their middles I don't want that.

I was told then I need to exercise as I diet then I can replace the fat with muscle and prevent that happening as I do have very smooth skin around my middle (no stretch marks as never had children) despite my size so don't want ruin that and turn it into saggy/scarred skin, but if I add muscle am I going to have difficulty getting down as low as 9st 3 (to complete my wii fit challenge).. if muscle weigh's more than fat and I'm gaining muscle to prevent saggy skin???

It seems I'll have to choose one or the other?.. what would be the lowest 'healthy weight' that I could get to if all my current fat turns to muscle? I really want to be in single figures so it has to be under 9st 9.

Replies

  • prestonmay
    prestonmay Posts: 107 Member
    change your diet guide to custom. Consume more protein similar crabs and low fat . Currently I do 40 carbs 40 protein 20 fat Percentage . When dieting you want to minimize muscle lost. Sorry to say this, but a fat cell stays once its there--It just shrinks. Muscles do go away......A freak of nature could add 1 pound of muscle a month. Its hard to do both--- So I cut up two weeks then bulk up (gain) I like to stay focused on one or the other.... Its possible to do both when I do-- I do cardio and weights every other day.
  • Deberlin88
    Deberlin88 Posts: 70 Member
    Gaining muscle burns more calories, and fat, in the long run. Strength training is an important part of the weight loss journey. I've been doing that throughout mine, and I've still lost weight. However, (most recently) I've also lost 5" off my waist, 1.5" from my hips, and 3.5" from my bust. So, I say combine cardio & strength training.

    PS - I'm also working towards my "ideal" weight/BMI on the Wii Fit. I'm about 5 lbs away from it now. Yes, gaining muscle might make it harder to reach that weight, but it's the measurements that are truly the most important measure of success.
  • LisaMariaCallow
    LisaMariaCallow Posts: 170
    I'll tell you what I've done; whatever works for you is best, and only you know your body. I lost 30 lbs over a 6 month period (something I NEVER thought I was capable of, BTW!!) and I did it with a combo of diet AND exercise. I do ALOT of cardio (5-6 days/week) with strength training 3 days/week. I've focused the weights on my arms, shoulders & back, plus 200 crunches 3-4 days/week. I eat pretty healthy, alot of lean protein, fruit & veggies. I don't eat much bread, pasta,potatoes ("white" foods). I think because I did it slowly (2 lbs/wk) and combined it with exercise that I didn't get saggy.

    Again, only you knows what works for you-Good luck!! This site is awesome, I've made great, really supportive friends. Friend me if you want a cheerleader!!
  • dmpizza
    dmpizza Posts: 3,321 Member
    Its great that you are trying, but you should just start working out and watching what you eat and see what happens.
  • shakybabe
    shakybabe Posts: 1,578 Member
    Thanks.. was just wondering what was lowest I could get to. My situation is a little unusual.. cos I get involuntary muscle movement in arms and legs I can't safely lift 'regular' weights.. (I also don't have regular access to an accessible gym or pool live in small yorkshire village some distance from nearest town and can't drive).

    However saying that.. I do actually use weighted wristbands on arms (to help give better control over movements) on ankles and wear a 6lb weighted sensory balance belt which helps people who have difficulties with balancing whilst I am doing my workouts.

    I have Ataxia (balance and fine motor co-ordination problems) with Dystonia (involuntary muscle contractions in arms and legs), cos of the involuntary movement my arms in particular tend to to get a workout whether I actually do a exercise session or not.. so my arms and legs are quite shapely.

    My tummy/waist is my problem area cos ataxia has weakened trunk muscles and as I been in chair 6 years those muscles haven't been used as much in same sense as getting up and down out of chairs and walking about all day. I also can't sit for long in a chair with no trunk support.

    My main goals are to improve trunk strength/balance, lose my tummy and get my weight down into the 9 stone region. I'm guessing building muscle around my middle is going to help strengthen my trunk, but would it stop me reaching my goal weight at all? maybe I'd have to settle for 10st as my 'healthy weight' .. or just take longer to get there?

    Thanks
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