Please help me pinpoint a good diet/workout plan? :((

[Jung Mi]

Hi, guys! I’m hoping to gain some understanding of what plan I need to get on. My history with dieting is a long one. I’m 5’1 and I weighed my heaviest at 150 a few years ago. Throughout the past 4 years I have slowly lost weight by portion control and some exercising and I was able to get to a stable weight of 120-125. Currently I am at 123 and while I am not overweight, I still have some flab on my stomach, legs, and arms that I would like to lose. It’s not a whole lot, however, and I don’t know if I want to continue the same old 1200 cal diet that I’ve been following. I don’t want to lose too much fat. I have stronger lower half that I gained from exercising the past few years and I have a fair amount of padding in my chest and butt area.

Basically, I don’t want to lose my curves. I know that if I continue a low calorie diet I will simply continue to lose fat. I have a few questions that I hope I can get cleared up:

1) What type of diet should I be following to tone up my flabby areas but not lose my curves? I am trying to build muscle in my butt to make it rounder and a little bigger (I’ve researched this is possible through squats?)
2) Are there any exercises I am do for the chest area that will ensure that I will not lose the too much boob fat?
3) What type of exercises should I be doing to get to my goal? I’ve been doing cardio and HIIT, which I know targets fat loss rather than building muscle.
Please help me get the curvy, but toned body that I want! Thank you so much ?

 

[Passion2BFit]

Hi Jung Mi,

I am a Fitness Instructor Specialist and currently studying Holistic Nutrition and Life Coaching - I will do my best to answer you and assist in any way I can.

First off, congratulations on you weight loss success. That is such a great accomplishment. I am so happy for you!!!!

From what I have been learning, 1200 calories sounds like it may not be enough. I know from seeing your frame and current weight that this may be a little more accurate, however it you are exercising, you would most likely require more. I have had many fitness professionals train me who have advised that 1500 cals is probably the lowest you should go. You can try adding 300 cals of CLEAN food and see how you feel. The best diet to follow is clean, whole foods. If it is made in a factory, it is not food, and you can avoid it. If it was here 150 years ago, eat it. If not, then don't. If you aren't doing that already, that may help you to lose your last few unwanted pounds. Some individuals also have sensitivities (not necessarily intolerances) to certain foods. You can experiment with removing foods that commonly cause allergies, such as dairy, wheat, gluten....You can temporarily remove them and see if that makes a difference. Be in tune with your body. It is communicating with you if you stop and listen to it.

Cardio and HIIT is awesome. You can try strength training using hand held weights.I am not sure if we are able to post about other websites in here, but there are great free websites out there with fabulous exercises you can do at the gym with weights. They will not bulk you up...that is a myth. Very good for you!