fernadele313 Member

Some really helpful advice here. Thank you

Thank you You do not look 24% BF at all! Perhaps mine are off too. I'm aware those body scanners are not a reliable source. I have a friend who could help with the fat punch test. My macros are pretty much the same although I'm averaging around 1,400 calories a day. I'll try gradually increasing it as I get further with…

I'm not following any lifting program in particular. I alternate between HIIT at home and various compound exercises at gym

I don't hold too much fat around my core, it's my hips, thighs and backs of my arms that are problem areas when I put on weight. Perhaps if I work on building muscles in glutes and legs, my waist will look as small as it did before

I think what's triggered this for me is reading a thread on a body building site where 26 inch waist was considered "thick" My hips are 38 inch, so I know it's the size of the waist in relation to height and hips that determines a "thick" waist. Surely it's not healthy to have a waist below 24/25 inches at 5'6?

Well done. I hit a plateau a couple of months ago. I've lost 2% body fat by eating more frequently, upping my water intake and introducing weights into my workouts

Some great advice here. Thank you guys

You have a great physique!

Thank you. My core feels stronger now and balance has improved. My mid section has never been my problem area. I've always carried fat on my thighs and hips. I don't want to lose my shape. I'd like to replace the fullness of my legs and hips with muscle

My trainer has been a great support pushing me with my cardio endurance and meal plan. The advice I got is that I need to work on more of a "base level of fitness" before progressing to any kind of heavy lifting programme...?

Yes. I'm also avoiding any weighted ab exercises to keep my waist "nipped in".I can't really expect bigger glutes or thighs in just over a month

No previous weight training. Only cardio abs HIIT workouts with light dumbells for the last year. Perhaps I have expected my body composition to have changed too soon.

^^ I can't see much of a difference

Before and after

I have not increased weights, reps or sets. I've basically been following plan my trainer set out. But my 6 weeks with with has finished now

Oh I definitely felt sore the day after using a certain muscle group on a machine or weight for the first time. I've finished with my trainer now. I don't feel anywhere near as sore as I used to. Perhaps I need to increase my weights?

I've struggled with BDD most of my life. It was worse in my teens but seems to have flared up since getting into fitness this last year. I'm trying to accept I won't ever feel comfortable with my looks and figure and focus on how much exercise helps my depression. I know it's easy to get caught up with aesthetics though…

I'm almost certain the second picture of Britney Spears is taken early 2000's, before she had children. But as a few people have said we don't know what training she did so it is an unfair statement to make. Also, my weight has fluctuated since having my son but my waist to hip ratio has always stayed the same. My waist…

Some really great advice and links here. Thank you. Strong Curves looks like a good programme

Great link. I'm wary of over developing my abs and obliques like the example of Britney Spears in this article. I've seen women in the gym with "blocky" torsos doing weighted side bends. But as rileyes said, I'm not sure how much of that is down the individual's body type.

By "better" abs do mean a six pack or the vertical outlines a lot of fit women have?

No I don't see my "perfect" or "amazing" at all! But thank you. I like to think my goals are realistic. I just want to accentuate the shape I already have, build the muscles in areas that will make me more curvy?

Thank you for the helpful advice

I have first session with trainer this week. Do you recommend any good books or videos for beginners?

Thank you. This is a much healthier mindset to adopt.

I think there is a bit of both social acceptance and a lack of believing in myself. I have a history of Body Dysmorphic Disorder, although it is mainly related to my facial features. I'm wary of this becoming a new obsession...

Thank you. I've been eating at maintenance for a couple of days now and i can already feel the benefit of doing so. I'm starting a strength training program at gym soon. It's a little intimidating... But I can't stay in my comfort zone of HIIT and kettle bell workouts at home!

Yes, I certainly didn't feel 25% around my midsection. I personally wouldn't want to drop below 20%. Convenient for me because I doubt I have the discipline to do so!

You are correct. Calliper test results are 22% I'm going to bin those scales

Thank you. I actually increased my calories today and this afternoon's workout felt sooo much easier! I think I've been burning myself out recently.