Most effective way to lose fat? (Especially lower tummy)

[nearlywed21]

Feel like I’m at a crossroads, having always been slim (but short so putting on weight shoes quickly), I have definitely gained weight through lockdown due to various life circumstances meaning I’m sedentary for longer periods of time (change of job from physically active to desk job etc). I dread to think what might happen if I keep going like this. I have on and off always been physically active, am able to squat/lift etc a fair bit for my frame. Under the lower tummy fat there is definitely muscle, I’ve done a lot of abdo exercises.

My exercise is mostly in the form of gym classes 2-3/week which absolutely raise my heart rate and get me sweaty. I have a healthy diet - lots of fruit and veg but also carbs. So I have in recent weeks cut the carbs right down, some days replaced entirely with salads. On weekends though and sometimes in the week will have carbs, an alcoholic drink, dessert etc. Basically I have a realistic / maintainable healthy lifestyle. I’m a size 10 (I don’t care about sizes or weight in numbers and in no way am saying size 10 is overweight for other people) just that for my frame it is, I have chunky thighs and look like I’m pregnant.

What am I actually supposed to do to lose weight?!

The weight gain may be muscle, drink more water and cut down on fruits apart from berries

It's more likely to be fluctuating water levels than 5lbs of muscle gain overnight!

Increase your protein intake. Lean protein fills you up as it takes longer to process.

If you have a calorie deficit you will lose weight. If you splurge a bit at the weekend, lower your weekday calories to balance it out.

Your intake today sounds fine, but you still need to figure out what the calories added up to. If it's below your maintenance level, that will support your feeling of accomplishment.

One of the nice features in the Loseit! app is the ability to chart your weight over time, which smooths out the short-term fluctuations.