Almost-Maintainer with a question :) - 3 Fat Chicks on a Diet Weight Loss Community

Iconised Ghost · 02-10-2011, 10:36 PM

Hi there,

I'm from the 20-somethings

I am almost done with weight loss (well the losing part. I think), but I'm still not quite happy with the way my body looks. I want to be more toned, look more muscular and strong, I dont want to be super skinny or anything, I dont mind looking a little chunkier than other girls, if it looks like that chunk is muscle. Does that make sense?

Anyway, I'm afraid that I'll get to my goal, 58kg, and be happy with my weight but not with my body. I have no idea if that makes sense to anyone else. Like, I am happy with my fitness and I'm a real keen bean in the gym, and I really enjoy it and making progress and kinda sculpting myself and achieving fitnses goals. And at 58kg I will have a healthy BMI well and truely. I feel like going further with weightloss after that would be almost a symptom of it becoming a bit pathological for me. I've already moved my goal from 65 to 60 to 58. How did I chose 58kg? Because then I can say "I weigh around 120 pounds"

So dumb!

So I guess out of all that babble is- when you maintained, but kept working out, did your body shape change? Did it continue to tone up? Or is the only way to look more muscular/fit/less skinny-fat to lose more fat so the muscle underneath shows?

mandalinn82 · 02-10-2011, 10:44 PM

I continued building muscle after hitting goal. According to rough estimates of body fat calculators, about 4 lbs in 3 years, but it made a big difference in appearance. That's one reason I raised my goal back UP...put on muscle that I didn't want to lose.

It did change my appearance significantly.

tattoodles · 02-11-2011, 12:56 AM

It definitely makes sense. I'm in a very similar boat. I think something I read on someone's signature summed it up well: "diet makes you look good in your clothes, exercise makes you look good naked."

ncuneo · 02-11-2011, 08:42 AM

Strength train, strength train and strength train some more. It makes a big difference. My body is still changing and I expect it will do so for a few more months.

Heavenseventeen · 02-11-2011, 09:41 AM

I feel the same way. My original goal YEARS ago was 140, but I got there and was still overweight. I thought 120 would be nice, but there's no way 5lbs will shift the flab from my inner thighs, saggy arms, and stomach. Then my goal was 115lbs. I found out I'm small framed, so maybe 110 is right for me.

I've done strength training since day one, so I guess excess fat is my problem. I'm starting 'progressive training', which means you aim to lift heavier weights every workout, week, or month. I've never progressed like that before, so I hope it works out. I don't want to be skinny fat. A pity the best/fastest muscle gain comes from eating over maintenance. I don't need more fat so I won't go there right now, if ever.

sacha · 02-11-2011, 11:51 AM

I've been a weightlifter for years and have been into a more bodybuilding style of training for the past 3.

My suggestion is to aim for a 130lb frame on 5'5 - if you want a more fit/athletic look. I've been 120lbs and no matter how much weightlifting I did, it is just a bit too light to carry muscle on the frame reasonably. That's my experience as well with many other 5'5 athletic girls..

What you are looking to do (change shape at maintenance) is called recomposition (as opposed to cutting- fat loss, or bulking- build muscle). I suggest checking out the female forum on bodybuilding.com for lots of great information about recomposition. Basically you lift hard & heavy at your maintenance calories and be very, very patient.

Iconised Ghost · 02-11-2011, 03:00 PM

Thanks for all the input everyone, I truely appreciate it. It sounds like although the weight loss journey might be "done" at goal, the transformation doesnt have to stop there which is great to hear. Now I am thinking that I will stop at 58kg and work on my fitness and tone. I already do lots of hard weight work, especially with my personal trainer, and fortunately I love it so its definately something I'd be keen to continue. And thanks for the link sacha, I'm checking it out now. I guess maintenance calories is a whole other challenge for me to face in the future!

evilwomaniamshe · 02-11-2011, 03:30 PM

Definitely, weight lifting totally changes things in a good good way, even after you reach your goal, you will want to continue as you start seeing the transformation! Hence what my signature states about exercise & weightlifting, yup it really is a true story!