Wierd results :\

[pags2112]

Hello everyone,

Sorry this is so long. Well to start off I used to exercise quite often, mostly weights. To be honest I became lazy and began a bad habit of drinking and sitting on the couch. Since I used to weight train I ate more to build muscle, but when I stopped exercising I continued the same eating pattern. Also adding to the weight gain :\ . The end result was a weight gain of about 12 pounds (all in the stomach) and muscles reduced to flab.

I began to change my habits when one morning I ate a hamburger for breakfast. I totaled my calories and was taking in at least 2400 calories a day with no excercise. Weight 208 lbs. So with that being said I began my change in diet. I now eat for breakfast either high protein/high fiber cereal with a fruit or 3 eggs and a fruit. My lunch is either a bowl of two cans of tuna fish (plain), a white flour grilled chicken wrap with cheese, or a white flour turkey, bacon wrap with cheese. Dinner is now either fish, 10% fat lean ground beef, or fat free chicken breast (all made on the george foreman grill and accompanied with a salad with low fat mozerella string cheese and olives). In between lunch and dinner I have a Myoplex Lite nutrition bar, and after dinner a string cheese snack. I also have a protein shake after my workout - Pro Complex powder without milk. I usually consume about 1400 - 1700 calories per day and about 120g of protein.

In addition to the diet I began to exercise 5 days a week for about 30 minutes a day. I started with a 15 minute walk and strength exercises such as push ups and dips. I did this for the first three weeks (total workout time 30 - 40 minutes. After that three week period I substituted weight training for the strength exercises and substituted jogging and jump rope for the walk (20 minutes), upping the total workout time to 45 minutes to an hour 5-6 days a week.

Its been about 6 weeks and I have lost about 15lbs. I see a noticeable difference in my legs which look toner. Although I dont really see a big difference in my arms and chest, they actually look toner. I have also noticed my midsection is reducing but to a way slower degree than the rest of me, it actually seems to be the only problem area left. The other noticable difference is that I seem to have smaller muscle size then when I used to exercise.

My question is am I going on about doing my routine and diet right? Should I not do cardio and strength weight training on the same day (I currently do cardio in between sets)? Am I taking in enough calories and protein? I basically dont want to lose more pounds but just burn off that fat. Would I have to continue to go on a low calorie diet to lose the stomach fat or could my exercise plan be the way to burn it? I do know you cannot spot reduce but what baffles me is it seems everywhere else is where the fat is melting off. Its a little disappointing when you look in the mirror and you see results everywhere but the one area you needed the most work in LOL! Whos that toned guy with the big fat belly? Yeah thats me.

I am now 5'9" 193 32 years of age
*I just read some other posts and I see why my muscles are not as large since Im taking in less calories. So should I keep my current diet to keep losing weight overall ( hoping the belly goes with it)? I assume if I try to consume more calories now I would build muscle but also add to my belly fat?*

Thanks

 

[KissMyHuman]

The results are normal. You're working out and dieting and thus losing weight. You're more toned not because you're building muscle but your lowering your BMI. It's totally normal that the belly is harder to lose weight from because thats where a large amount of fat is stored.

Your muscles are smaller because you stopped working out and maintaining them.

"I basically don't want to lose more pounds but just burn off that fat."
It's possible up to a point, as you work out and add mild weight training you may level out with a little muscle gain but if you continue, your weight will drop as you diet until you switch back to just muscle gain.

As far as protein intake, 120g is a little high for your weight because you're dieting but it's not going to hurt you since your body will convert the excess to fat that can be burned off during exercise.

 

[TomO]

I would only add a couple of things.
1) Cut down on the "white carbs". White flour tortillas, white pasta, white bread, etc. are highly processed carbs, have little or no fiber, and basically don't do you much more good than sugar. Try to eat whole wheat bread, brown rice, whole wheat pasta, etc.

2) You might try some high intensity interval training for your cardio. That will increase both your aerobic and your anaerobic capacity, and a lot of studies are showing that it is much more beneficial than regular steady state cardio.