Losing weight, but shape still bothersome

I'm not sure if I'm posting this question to the correct forum, but here it goes anyway. I've lost 20 pounds, and I still have about 20 to go to be at my goal weight. Current stats: 5'2", 147 lbs, approximate size 10/12 (I've got hips and a booty). My problem is that even though my weight is going down, I'm still not happy with the shape. I look lumpy instead of smooth. I've heard that "abs are made in the kitchen" and that you can't spot reduce, so is there anything (short of surgery) to do to smooth things out and not look lumpy?

I did 30DS and saw A LOT of improvement in shape. I lost 13 total inches and look a lot better. Now i'm doing Ripped in 30

If it is lumpy all over, that is body fat and you just gotta keep reducing. If you don't strength train while in a calorie deficit you will lose muscle, which means you will need to lose even more fat before you stop looking lumpy.

Strength training is amazing.... but the next 5, 10, 15 and 20 pounds will make huge changes. I swear I had more changes to my body shape in the final five pounds than in the first 20.

Make sure you are exercising and not just dieting. The muscle tone will be what gives you the shape you are looking for.

There are LOTS of things that you can do without surgery! A question first, then a couple of suggestions. What type of exercise are you doing?

A couple of quick suggestions, based on your diary for the past week that may help
1. Decrease your sodium intake- sodium causes your body to hold excess water, which is part of what is giving you the lumpy look instead of the lean look you want. Check the sodium content of processed or packaged foods you eat.
2. Increase your clean protein intake (lean meat, egg whites, fish, etc) to support your musculature.
3. Try to space your calorie intake out throughout the day and minimize simple carbs (white bread, white pasta, white potatoes, etc) which can cause bloating. Eating 5-6 times per day is best.
4. Increase (or start) weight training. I promise, you will not look masculine. You would have to take male hormones for that to happen. The more muscle you have, the higher your metabolism will be. Also, 5 pounds of fat takes up the space of three grapefruit, whereas 5 lbs of muscle takes up the space of three tangerines. Increasing your muscle mass is the only way you will ever maintain a lean, tight shape, rather than the lumpy look.

Hope that helps!

Have you tried yoga? Yoga stretches out your muscles so they look longer and leaner. Plus it is great stress relief. I used to walk in with my ears up to my shoulders and walk out feeling like my neck was 6inches longer.

WOW, you eat out a lot.
Have you considered planing meals for the week & cooking healthy meals at home.

This is just stupid.

OP - I dont see anything logged for your workouts, so I can only assume that you are eating healthier based on the information available. What you are seeing is a combination of fat loss and muscle cannibalism. I suggest continue eating as you do, but add in 5-6 days of exercise. In that, LIFT. You dont have to lift a ton, but your body is feeding off of the muscle you have. You need to keep this, and actually build it, albeit in small amounts unless you want the "buff" look.

Try the following - and know, you can knock it out in about 45 mins/day. And for the lifting, find ways to use your own body weight...

M - Upper Body Lift / Light Cardio
T - Cardio
W - Lower Body Lift
TH - Cardio
F - Upper Body Lift / Light Cardio
S - Cardio

You can skip Saturday, if you want hand have 2 days of rest. The following alternate by starting with Lower Body.

Hope that helps

I looked at your diary and you don't eat very healthily. Some days you're eating out a lot and others you only eat about half of your calories. So your body may be eating away at the muscle to look for nutrients instead of losing the fat. Make sure that you eat 1,200 cals a day and try to include more veggies and lean proteins. And for your workouts mix cardio with some weights and toning and it should improve. Good luck

WOW, you eat out a lot.
Have you considered planing meals for the week & cooking healthy meals at home.

This is just stupid.

OP - I dont see anything logged for your workouts, so I can only assume that you are eating healthier based on the information available. What you are seeing is a combination of fat loss and muscle cannibalism. I suggest continue eating as you do, but add in 5-6 days of exercise. In that, LIFT. You dont have to lift a ton, but your body is feeding off of the muscle you have. You need to keep this, and actually build it, albeit in small amounts unless you want the "buff" look.

Try the following - and know, you can knock it out in about 45 mins/day. And for the lifting, find ways to use your own body weight...

M - Upper Body Lift / Light Cardio
T - Cardio
W - Lower Body Lift
TH - Cardio
F - Upper Body Lift / Light Cardio
S - Cardio

You can skip Saturday, if you want hand have 2 days of rest. The following alternate by starting with Lower Body.

Hope that helps

Well that was an uncalled for rude comment (You must not have seen her comment "abs are made in the kitchen".)


OP... I'm 5'2", weigh 156 and I'm A size 8-10
What you put in your mouth matters just as much as what you do for exercise.
And the above workout is a good schedule to follow. smile:

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WOW, you eat out a lot.
Have you considered planing meals for the week & cooking healthy meals at home.

This is just stupid.

OP - I dont see anything logged for your workouts, so I can only assume that you are eating healthier based on the information available. What you are seeing is a combination of fat loss and muscle cannibalism. I suggest continue eating as you do, but add in
5-6 days of exercise. In that, LIFT. You dont have to lift a ton, but your body is feeding off of the muscle you have. You need to keep this, and actually build it, albeit in small amounts unless you want the "buff" look.

Try the following - and know, you can knock it out in about 45 mins/day. And for the lifting, find ways to use your own body weight...

M - Upper Body Lift / Light Cardio
T - Cardio
W - Lower Body Lift
TH - Cardio
F - Upper Body Lift / Light Cardio

S - Cardio

You can skip Saturday, if you want hand have 2 days of rest. The following alternate by starting with Lower Body.

Hope that helps

Well that was an uncalled for rude comment (You must not have seen her comment "abs are made in the kitchen".)


OP... I'm 5'2", weigh 156 and I'm A size 8-10
What you put in your mouth matters just as much as what you do for exercise.
And the above workout is a good schedule to follow. smile:

I am 5'0" and 141 and I am a size 10
Some bodies hold weight different. No need to point out that you weight more and are a smaller size. Not meant to be rude but it was kind of hurtful for those of us who weigh less....work hard and can't fit into those smaller sizes. I understand her frustration with body not being the shape she desires.

Lift weights...keep working hard...you are doing great! But above anything learn to accept the body type God has given you and just work at becoming a healthier person!