More questions about workout/goals

[-H-]

Still reading programs, but need to change my current goals a bit...

Main goal is to build muscle, but I am also skinny fat. Went swimsuit shopping yesterday. I can't take the fat-lol. I want to focus on that first. So do I just do the same thing, lift heavy but eat under maintenance?

I would like to eventually do starting strength, but that might be better when I am eating more cals? Is there a good program to follow during a fat loss phase? I am not really feeling NROLW.

Plan to eat 200 cals or so under and see what happens which will be 1750. I have been eating at maintenance so far. Counting since June 5 or so. Some days over. Which is not helping my cause. But I have not gained, so maybe maintenance is higher than I thought.

Either way, gonna try to stick to 1750 and see what happens. Just wondering what I should be doing in the gym. Still plan to lift MWF.

I am 5'8", 127 pounds and 30% BF. Crazy! Cellulite, fat, no muscle on the bottom half. I look pretty thin on top but arms looking better since beginning heavier training. I do not have body or food issues. I would love to lose the fat then start raising cals slowly to add some muscle. Is this the best way to do it?

Thanks, ladies. :)

[birdiefu]

If you are interested in Starting Strength, definitely do it! I started it while on a cut also, and still got great gains out of it, and most importantly, learned correct form for the big lifts. Get the book and read the whole thing, don't just do it based on the wiki or something.

Considering your stats and your "skinny-fat" status, I wouldn't cut. At least stay at maintenance and do a bit of a recomp, and then bulk once the summer ends. You will make more improvements by putting on muscle than by trying to reduce mass, which will only make you more skinny-fat.

[-H-]

Cool, thanks!!

The one Q I have is specific programming with SS. Doesn't seem like it tells you exactly what to do??

Maybe I am just being impatient. And not tracking enough. I have not gained but have not lost- I don't even care about the weight- just still look so bad from the back. I would gladly gain 20 pounds if it looked good. And the cellulite went away. Lol. At lease a little. I have not seen a pic on here yet that looks what I have- it is a lot!!! Sucks!! If my top half weren't so skinny, i'd just be fat. it looks like my top and bottome belong on two different people lol. Except the skinny legs. Sigh! So much work to do! :) Some day I will post a pic but i'd like a little progress first- scary to do that...

Best to stay at 1937 (calculated maintenance)? Or a little under like 1850? Argh.

[birdiefu]

Cool, thanks!!

The one Q I have is specific programming with SS. Doesn't seem like it tells you exactly what to do??

Maybe I am just being impatient. And not tracking enough. I have not gained but have not lost- I don't even care about the weight- just still look so bad from the back. I would gladly gain 20 pounds if it looked good. And the cellulite went away. Lol. At lease a little. I have not seen a pic on here yet that looks what I have- it is a lot!!! Sucks!! If my top half weren't so skinny, i'd just be fat. it looks like my top and bottome belong on two different people lol. Except the skinny legs. Sigh! So much work to do! :) Some day I will post a pic but i'd like a little progress first- scary to do that...

Best to stay at 1937 (calculated maintenance)? Or a little under like 1850? Argh.

Have you read the book? Your answers lie within. If you have specific questions after reading it though, feel free to ask.

What has been your average cal intake? Your maintenance is likely over 2000, and if you have been eating at 1937 plus some without losing or gaining, then whatever that averaged out to is likely your maintenance. Have patience, changes come over time, think in the span of months, not weeks. Lift heavy, stay on track, and only reasses every 4-6 weeks or so before making changes. This is a long-term process, but the results will be well worth it. :D

I suggest taking pics from the start. My starting pic here was after some "improvement", and I have made significant changes from that. At this point I wish I had my worst pics to compare to, LOL.

[-H-]

I appreciate your responses- thank you!!

Currently reading SS. I skimmed, then started at pg 1 and working my way through. It will be a little while before I get through it I think- much bigger than I expected! But very thorough and easy to read. So liking it. I will read cover to cover then see if I still have Q's.

Honestly average this month has been probably around 22-2300 average. some days 1750 but some 2500 plus. I have been messing with my own head, 'changing my mind' on my goal when I want to eat more (ie, 'it is ok to eat 2500 plus cals today, consider it bulking!) then get frustrated and have a 1750 day and starve. Lol I don't know how people eat 1500!!! I have not tracked everything cause I couldn't find accurate nutritional info (dining out, etc.)

Oh I have been taking pics. I just don't want to post them yet. Thanks. :)

[rutzilla]

Don't make the mistake of using baby werights when you start, use as much as you can till your form breaks down. Things may feel wobby at first, because your not used to balancing the weights, but it will be better in a few weeks.