Skinny fat

healthy4self
healthy4self Posts: 198
edited October 4 in Fitness and Exercise
I think I'm bordering skinny fat. I weight 121 at 5'3", but I don't feel like I look as toned as I should for the workouts I put in. I eat about 1800 cals a day, and my weight has been pretty stable. I need help with my diet to tone up and cut about 5 lbs. My diary is open, suggestions would be great. Thanks :)

Replies

  • Lyadeia
    Lyadeia Posts: 4,603 Member
    I think I'm bordering skinny fat. I weight 121 at 5'3", but I don't feel like I look as toned as I should for the workouts I put in. I eat about 1800 cals a day, and my weight has been pretty stable. I need help with my diet to tone up and cut about 5 lbs. My diary is open, suggestions would be great. Thanks :)

    To get rid of skinny fatness, you need to be eating a slight calorie deficit and doing some weight training. You seem to be going over on calories on a daily basis, though.
  • SergeantSunshine_reused
    SergeantSunshine_reused Posts: 5,382 Member
    Are you weight training? I didn't really see it in your exercise log. Lifting heavy will do the trick. And hitting your macros with a slight calorie deficit
  • healthy4self
    healthy4self Posts: 198
    You seem to be going over on calories on a daily basis, though.

    I've gotta buckle down :/
  • AZackery
    AZackery Posts: 2,035 Member
    What kind of cardio are you doing?
  • healthy4self
    healthy4self Posts: 198
    What kind of cardio are you doing?

    Mainly indoor cycling with moderate intensity. I do pilates types exercises a few times a week.
  • idcatiej22
    idcatiej22 Posts: 49 Member
    time to start weight training/strength training, my friend!

    of course, going to the gym and lifting weights is everyone's first go-to. i'm going to suggest you also try jillian michael's 30 day shred work out. i'm 1/3 of the way through right now, and i'm starting to swear by her system. i've been "skinny fat" in the past, and this weekend, my boyfriend couldn't stop talking about how fit i looked. you can also try cardio-kick boxing (to get cardio and strength in) and yoga (try a class that uses a lot of vinyasas). i don't know about you, but i get bored with my work-outs, so i like to have other options.

    good luck :smile:
  • AZackery
    AZackery Posts: 2,035 Member
    Mainly indoor cycling with moderate intensity. I do pilates types exercises a few times a week.

    Pilates is good. Try a cardio strength workout.

    I'm a big fan of Tae Bo. It's my number one workout. It helps tone my body.
  • Sidesteal
    Sidesteal Posts: 5,510 Member
    As far as fixing skinny fat, I don't think there's a blanket rule in terms of caloric intake. A lot of skinny-fatters will benefit more from a bulk cycle vs cutting, and some will actually do quite well by eating at maintenance for a while. Not trying to nit-pick, I just think that without knowing exactly to what degree you are skinny-fat, you can't reliably make the right dietary choice.

    You're in a spot where you have to decide whether you'd like to err on the side of getting larger muscles and possibly gaining some fat, or shrinking down a bit. If you're not all that skinny-fat it might not be a tough decision, but some people have it to such a degree that making that decision sucks. They're too fat to bulk and too scrawny in the arms/chest/legs to cut.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I think I'm bordering skinny fat. I weight 121 at 5'3", but I don't feel like I look as toned as I should for the workouts I put in. I eat about 1800 cals a day, and my weight has been pretty stable. I need help with my diet to tone up and cut about 5 lbs. My diary is open, suggestions would be great. Thanks :)

    To get rid of skinny fatness, you need to be eating a slight calorie deficit and doing some weight training. You seem to be going over on calories on a daily basis, though.

    You're not going over by many, though... I used the "view reports" thingie to go back a month, and you were under-eating a lot up until the past few weeks. Good job on eating more!

    I'd say... give it time. Start strength training, keep getting loads of protein, and take measurements and photos. You might not see the changes in the mirror, but they're happening.
  • SergeantSunshine_reused
    SergeantSunshine_reused Posts: 5,382 Member
    As far as fixing skinny fat, I don't think there's a blanket rule in terms of caloric intake. A lot of skinny-fatters will benefit more from a bulk cycle vs cutting, and some will actually do quite well by eating at maintenance for a while. Not trying to nit-pick, I just think that without knowing exactly to what degree you are skinny-fat, you can't reliably make the right dietary choice.

    You're in a spot where you have to decide whether you'd like to err on the side of getting larger muscles and possibly gaining some fat, or shrinking down a bit. If you're not all that skinny-fat it might not be a tough decision, but some people have it to such a degree that making that decision sucks. They're too fat to bulk and too scrawny in the arms/chest/legs to cut.

    ^^ listen to him :D

    i only said calorie deficit becuase that is what im doing. He is much better at explaining xD
  • chrisdavey
    chrisdavey Posts: 9,834 Member
    Agree with Sidesteal. I would say 1800 would be pretty close to your maintenance cals.

    Strength training is required.

    You have good protein intake.

    lower the cals a bit if you want to lose a little or up them a bit if you want to add some lean body mass first. (that bit is up to you and where you think you are at currently)
  • Nomomush
    Nomomush Posts: 582 Member
    Are you weight training? I didn't really see it in your exercise log. Lifting heavy will do the trick. And hitting your macros with a slight calorie deficit

    Agree ^^^^^
This discussion has been closed.

Categories