Skinny-fat --> slim and toned - who's done it?

[rhubarbfool]

I am the epitome of skinny-fat - look thin in clothes, slightly gaunt face (lovely), thin wrists and ankles, but flat, saggy arse, muffin top, love handles and bingo wings. I know - I am gorgeous.

I've decided to get a grip; am doing pilates and have cut out the junk food (cakes, biscuits, ice cream, chocolate).

What else should I be doing?!

Like strong says you’ve got fat or flab as you put it. Only diet will get rid of it if it was that easy we’d all be ripped. We are what we eat.

I’m about 5ft 6 and weigh 8 stones that’ll put you very underweight but you also state you don’t own scales. But the doctor weighs you so I’d be seriously seeking medical advice if that’s all you truly really weigh.

As for gaining muscle you need to start eating healthy and lots of it because if your seriously wanting to sculpt a nice body your going to need plenty of calories to do it with.

I'm about the same height, but weigh more than you with very low body fat. If I was in your position, I would weight train, and eat more protein. Clean up my diet in general and cut back on processed food and sugar, preferably eliminate. Increase your fat intake. Visit a gym and get advice from a personal trainer and a weight training program, explain what you want to achieve. Take up some cardiovascular exercise just for general fitness if you don't already do on it. But put more emphasis on weight training, if you ever have to miss workout days, miss the cardio and make sure you weight train 3/4 times a week. Rest days in between are the times your body builds muscle, so make sure to have those.

It's not as difficult as you think, and starting at a weight that you can handle will be the best start. It just takes time, but you will see quick results as a beginner.Do not weight your self

It’s not about losing ‘weight’, it’s losing fat, and building muscle. You might stay the same weight, or end up slightly heavier but your overall body composition will change. To lose fat, you need to be in caloric deficit, to build muscle you need to lift heavy weights. Have a look at TeamRH on Facebook

Find a PT or someone who has a set of Callipers and get them to take your body fat measurements.

I'm the same height as you, I'm a size 12 and have 25% body fat (healthy/average) but I weight 11stone!!

You can't go by your height and weight, and if you weight train you'll gain weight too so I'd advise staying off the scales.

I lost tonnes of weight once because of illness, I was ridiculously skinny but not toned.

I needed to put weight on, I went with eating a lot (I really needed to put about two stone on, so you may not need to go excessive), at the same time as gym - running and cycling are really good for super toned legs and healthy cardio, but do make sure you up your food intake as they are weight loss things too.

Yoga shocked the life out of me, I thought I was super fit oh it would be a bit of stretching, goodness me sweat like crazy and I have muscle tone like I never though possible, it really is the slim and toned effect! I love it so recommend it.

Pilates will probably have similar effects for body, I didn't like it myself but lots of people do and talk about toning effects, so sounds good.

If ass if an issue in your world, it is in mine, squats whilst holding weights. Ten squats with weights will do way more that a hundred squats without. You'll feel it.

Daily yoga changed my whole body shape. Always been a size 8 but now have definition in my arms and legs.. Though after a back injury then high risk pregnancy and currently 6 weeks post partum the definition isn't as great...

Strongbeatsskinny I've been about this height and weight my whole adult life. Doctors have commented that I'm "slim" but in bonny health, no one has expressed any concern about being underweight. I think I just naturally have a very slender build. As I tried to say in my op - I am skinny-flabby. Skinny with flabby bits. I would like to be less skinny and less flabby, hence my confusion.

LuMarie and Chipsahoy - thanks, both helpful. I'm doing pilates twice a week and think I might try and do a daily yoga routine too, though it'll need to be quite short. I used to go to yoga and was CRAP at it but will persevere. LuMarie, will definitely try the squats with weights - how heavy should they be?! (I did squats to warm up at pilates last week and could barely walk for the next three days! )

Thank you rightknockered. I don't weigh myself anyway! I just try sleeveless dresses on and wave my arm about a bit and then sigh and put them away again.

Really, as a start, go to a Bodypump class. It's great for people who haven't tried weights before.

I’m similar, although size 12 so not sure I’d claim ‘skinny’. I run a lot so my legs are fine, but I’ve got terrible muffin top, bit of back fat my stomach looks like marshmallow and despite having slim arms, still have bingo wings. Don’t really want to lose weight, it comes off my face and i look ill.

How do you start ‘doing weights’? Not a gym member and haven’t got time or money to join one.

Strong is 100% right here. You can't 'tone' fat. You have to lose fat and build muscle, so you won't actually be losing weight. The only way to lose fat is through diet (with a calorie defecit). No exercise will make you lose fat, only build muscle. I'd really recommend looking at Team RH on FB. A simple, no bullshit approach to this.

I do 12 minutes of intervals with light-medium weights most days and sometimes a run or spin class on alternate days. I thought I was quite toned to begin with - I have exercised for years.
But htis DIY High Intensity workout - which I developed because I have so little time - has made a real difference. But I did combine it with eating more protein. I used to skip breakfast but now I have a scoop of Huel in my coffee.
I do 40 seconds star jumps with 2kg weights in my hands, rest for 20 seconds then I do it 3 more times. Then I do jumping lunges with 3kg weights, again 4 times 40 seconds, and then to finish I do plank based intervals for 40 seconds x4; plank jacks, plank crossovers, plank skaters and then the last one I do squat type jumps. I have noticed a real difference, but I combine it with proper stamina exercise (30 -60 mintues) at least three times a week - a run/a spin class that kind of thing. However eating properly and drinking water - oh and the killer.. I ditched alcohol.. that meant I slept better too.

Yoga too - you need to mix it up. But you really have to commit to it...

Yoga! Great for toning if done regularly (like 4 times a week)