Advice on making a weight loss plan please

[GAW19]

I need a little bit of advice on where to start.
I started off at 13st 1lb in February, I lost weight and am currently 12st 3lb. I was doing HIIT workouts on the apple fitness app.
I haven't done any in around 2-3 months as I've been poorly then a wrist injury etc.
Anyway, I have had 2 csections, 2019 & 2021, I have quite a bit of a tummy overhang left which I want to be able to get rid of as much as possible.
Im only 5ft and carry most of the weight in my face & tummy.
I feel like the HIIT workouts are good but do I need to be doing weights aswell to tone my belly? Can anyone give me a starting place as to what I might need to do please
It will have to be stuff I can do at home as I have no time for the gym. I already have 1.5 & 3kg weights but will buy heavier if needed 😊

Anyone? X

Well, this probably isn't what you want to hear as you've posted in exercise but the truth is, weight loss/gain is 80-90% diet. There's a saying 'abs are made in the kitchen, not the gym'. Sure you can get stronger and faster, but you're not going to see the results of that work unless you lose the fat covering it. The only way to do that is calorie reduction, in whatever way you find the most sustainable. Don't get sucked into any fad diet plans. Just eat mostly healthy food (i.e., food in as close to its natural state as possible) at a deficit of approx. 500 cals/daily to lose 1lb a week and ensure that you are getting sufficient protein to encourage your body to retain muscle. (Not crazy amounts. That can actually stress your kidneys in the long term. About .8 grams per kg of bodyweight is what I was taught).

Now something else you probably don't want to hear: toning is a myth. What people mean when they say 'toned' is 'having developed muscles plus low enough body fat percentage to see said muscle'. Unfortunately you can't spot-reduce fat. It comes off where it comes off, and that is genetics. I lose it from my stomach last. I'm actually skinny, but my arms are much more 'toned-looking' than my stomach, because the fat I do have is right there. Honestly I would just consider your abs another body part, and do workouts that target the whole body. Maybe throw in ten mins ab workout at the end.

My credibility: I'm a trained swimmer. I do know the theory, though I haven't always practiced it! My natural tendency is be 'skinnyfat' - always light/thin on the BMI scale, difficulty gaining weight or keeping muscle, tendency to put fat around the middle. I can clearly see my arms and leg muscles around 23-25% body fat, but to show abs it's going to have to be low twenties. I'm getting into weights now, which is a new thing to me, to try and remedy this whilst increasing protein and eating at maintenance.

yep, what @iloveeverykindofcat said! It's really hard to use exercise alone to create a calorie deficit for weight loss, and you do that amount of exercise you'll probably find you need to eat more to fuel your exercise!

What the others have said. You can’t target weight loss to a specific area of your body. Carry on eating healthily, try to lose some weight it will probably make a difference. As for exercise, stick to what you enjoy whether it’s HIT or weights. Incidentally, your dumbells would be good for T lifts (1.5kg) and 3kg ones for shoulder exercises. You’ll get fabulous arms for sleeveless tops! If you want a full body workout (squats, lunges, RDLs) you start with no weights and build up. A set of adjustable dumbells from amazon would be a good start until you build strength for 8kg and 12kg kettlebells.

If you want to visit gym for workout, then my small advice is better to do simple workout in your home. Another thing, following healthy food diet in your life is also led to achieving your weight loss goal. In my daily life, I am following simple workouts such as running, playing games, swimming, pushups, jumping jack, sit up and planks. All these workouts give me good results.

Dump the exercise and try to feel hungry.

Have you ever wondered how people in countries that can’t afford to feed themselves stay the weight they are...

what everyone else said. Also, although losing weight and toning up the underlying abdominals will improve^ the look of your belly, the C-section overhang tends to remain unless you pay for a tummy tuck.

By all means get fit, the benefits are endless. And starting with the weights you have is fine.

@Sohappy62 you sound extremely bloody judging of people you know nothing about
I have a medical condition that makes me put on weight very quick and makes it hard to lose. However, I'm just over 12st, not 22st ffs.
When everything in your life is perfect, then please tell everyone else how it's done

To everyone else, thank you