Odd proportions. Fat distribution. Where will weight loss sh

ILoveFroggies
ILoveFroggies Posts: 120 Member
edited October 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Well, hey there, fellow weight loss beginners and/or enthusiasts! ;)

I don't mean to obsess about appearance and the like, but as it's the time of year when we make resolutions and think of who we are now and what we want to become, I've been paying a bit more attention than the usual to the way my body is, among other things.

I've noticed I've stacked on a bit of weight in the past year (courtesy of the party lifestyle that makes one's first year of university that much more fun, but makes your scales hate you).

A few things...
1. My thighs are more than double the circumference of my calves. Why?!
2. There is hardly any fat on my biceps, but "bingo wings" of fat on my triceps. Why?!
3. I have a normal BMI, but an "overfat" body fat percentage. How can I rectify this?!
4. When you lose weight, where will the weight loss show first? I know it's different for different people, but are there any general principles? Will it show first in the area that used to be the fattest?

Cheers, m'dears. Looking forward to your responses. x

Replies

  • Lozze
    Lozze Posts: 1,917 Member
    Can't answer the first two in definite terms but for the last two
    3. I have a normal BMI, but an "overfat" body fat percentage. How can I rectify this?!

    Lift weights. Lift HEAVY weights. As a woman you cannot 'bulk' and by lifting heavy weights you will help strip body fat while retaining a fair bit of muscle.
    4. When you lose weight, where will the weight loss show first? I know it's different for different people, but are there any general principles? Will it show first in the area that used to be the fattest?

    No answer. Mine showed on my stomach first then my neck, others can't get rid of their stomach even when being as big as I am. You'll find out once you start losing.
  • jo_marnes
    jo_marnes Posts: 1,601 Member
    Everyone's body stores fat in different places, but the places you mention are common. Its easy for your body to store fat in those places. Bingo wings are hard to shift because we rarely 'work' our triceps when moving any weight. But, it's all about lowering your body fat %. This means cleaning up your diet and cardio. Burn the fat. It will be lost from all over your body..... probably the place you want to lose from last. Because that's always the way!
  • arewethereyet
    arewethereyet Posts: 18,702 Member
    From my experience first on, last off!

    I tend to start in the belly and at my lowest weight, my tummy was still fat. Whereas one of my good friends lost her stomach first :grumble: but her butt is still big.

    If you are catching it soon, you may not have a lot of problems losing it at your age.

    Set up your goals, walk or jog to class, stop drinking so much :angry: (sorry I'm a momma:laugh: ) and I bet in a few months your legs will be slim again.

    As for the arms? Even 30 lbs overweight, and 50 years old, I can still make a muscle with my bicep and the fat drops right down to the bottom. (where is the throwup smiley:sick: )

    Good luck dear:love:
  • Dexy_
    Dexy_ Posts: 593 Member
    I lost my face/neck fat, then calve fat. No where else yet :wink:

    My butt, belly, and thighs are still huge. Luckily my arms never got noticeably bigger in the first place, but they have toned a bit.

    BMI can more or less be ignored. It's only accurate for so few body types. Worry about getting your body fat % into an acceptable range, that you'd need to talk to your GP about :)
  • arewethereyet
    arewethereyet Posts: 18,702 Member
    I lost my face/neck fat

    I WILL TAKE IT!!! :laugh:
  • Janet39
    Janet39 Posts: 280 Member
    Hiya Honey,

    As you have a good BMI, It is all about the exercise.

    If you are new to it, start with stuff that gives you an all over work out. Nothing too extream, but constantly push your own boundaries.

    Walking, Swimming etc you can monitor your progress through time and distance.

    If you are able to join a gym, or do some classes.

    As your muscle mass increases, your body will firm up.
    Remember this is a slow process, you are thinking months not weeks. So find things you enjoy.

    If you don't like feeling sweaty, swimming or water based is for you. Play to your strengths, I do DIY, and gardening ( these are my 2 for 1's as the house looks better as well), Body Combat, and am having swimming lessons. I also walk to the train and work and vice versa.

    Just do more of everything, it all counts.:smile:

    Cheers, Jan
  • ILoveFroggies
    ILoveFroggies Posts: 120 Member
    Thanks for the replies, kind ones!

    What would be considered a good body fat % range for my age (18-19) and gender (female)? I mean, I know I can google it, and I've done so, but the recommendations conflict from site to site.

    I have very fine bone structure, and very little muscle, which I think accounts for the normal BMI/high body fat % phenomenon. So, as there isn't much I can do to change my bone structure (short of drinking more milk to increase my bone density, I guess), I'm thinking I need to both lose fat and gain muscle.

    I know cardio's good for fat loss. And that lifting heavy weights is good for muscle gain. But in terms of diet, what can I do to make sure I lose fat but retain most of my lean muscle mass at the same time? Is there any optimum caloric intake for this? Are there particular foods that may help (e.g. eating more protein)?
  • Lozze
    Lozze Posts: 1,917 Member
    I know cardio's good for fat loss. And that lifting heavy weights is good for muscle gain. But in terms of diet, what can I do to make sure I lose fat but retain most of my lean muscle mass at the same time? Is there any optimum caloric intake for this? Are there particular foods that may help (e.g. eating more protein)?

    Again lift. Lift heavy. The BEST thing for fat loss while minimizing your muscle loss is lifting heavy.

    In regards to diet you need to keep your protein up. Others insist you need to eat as clean as possible (no preseravitives, hopefully someone can explain that better than I can) Make sure you hit your water and keep your sodium under 2500mg a day.
  • beckie4442
    beckie4442 Posts: 132
    The new rules of lifting for women has some great work outs and complementary diet to go with it... I'm just getting ready to start the six month program......Lift like a man, Look like a goddess!!!
    Hope this helps.:wink:
  • ILoveFroggies
    ILoveFroggies Posts: 120 Member
    "Lift like a man, look like a goddess"... hahahahaha, love it. :tongue:
    If I can't get my hands on the book, do you know whether there's a way I can access the diet plan online?

    Also, in terms of lowering my body fat %...
    Do you think it's a good idea to aim for 25%? I'm currently at about 35%+, so it may take a while to get there. How quickly do people usually get that percentage down - and what rate is the safest/will produce the most long lasting results?
    Oh, and I measure it with electronic scales, but when's the best time to do this - in the morning? With as few clothes as possible? Before having anything to eat/drink? Anything else to suggest?
  • Lozze
    Lozze Posts: 1,917 Member
    "Lift like a man, look like a goddess"... hahahahaha, love it.
    If I can't get my hands on the book, do you know whether there's a way I can access the diet plan online?

    Also, in terms of lowering my body fat %...
    Do you think it's a good idea to aim for 25%? I'm currently at about 35%+, so it may take a while to get there. How quickly do people usually get that percentage down - and what rate is the safest/will produce the most long lasting results?
    Oh, and I measure it with electronic scales, but when's the best time to do this - in the morning? With as few clothes as possible? Before having anything to eat/drink? Anything else to suggest?

    It's more about lifting than the diet plan. The diet plan is given on the understanding that you're doing the weights program. It's kinda pointless without it (my copy shipped today!)

    Not sure about body fat but 25% sounds fine.

    Weighing it doesn't matter what time, what you're wearing as long as it's the same. So i weight in at nightttime with clothes on, but I'll always have the same clothes on. As long as it's consistent your weight will show a true reading.
  • ILoveFroggies
    ILoveFroggies Posts: 120 Member
    Hey hey! To build and retain muscle while burning fat, i.e. to lower my body fat %, I need to do strength and resistance training more than cardiovascular training, I know... However, I have an elliptical trainer, and there are a number of settings of resistance that I can put it on.
    If I put it on the toughest setting - i.e., maximum resistance - is that kind of counted as strength and resistance training? Or, even if it's counted as a mixture of cardiovascular training and strength and resistance training, it's still better than doing training that's purely cardiovascular... right? Wrong? Thoughts?

    Oh, how does this sound for a plan... Bearing in mind I'm a beginner. An absolute beginner. And have a very busy life, and very little spare time in which to work out.
    - 15 mins elliptical on the toughest setting.
    - 20 push ups, 50 sit ups, and a number of calf raises (idk how many, but it won't be too many).

    I'll do that every day. I know that's a bit pitiful. But it's better than nothing, yes? Yes? Or, do you think that it's not enough for me to see any results? If you do think I'll see results, how quickly/slowly? Thank you.
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