Spinning my wheels...

[Kricket09]

hello all! First off I'm pretty new to this site so keep that in consideration. I'm 5"6, 121 lbs and about 25% BF. I've had a 20 lb weight loss over the last 6 months from dieting and doing bootcamp/circuit training type workouts. The problem is in those type of workouts there arer so many reps that I basically used a 5 or 10 lb dumbbell or bodyweight only. So after I hit my goal weight of 125 I switched to more lifting, heavier weight and a maintenance calorie level which I determined to be around 1850cal(approximate). I'm lifting 4days a week and cardio(usually spinning or HIIT) 2x per week with one day rest. Now I just feel skinny fat. I swear none of those twenty pound came off my butt! My upper body is looking toned but I'm still jelly in the butt/thighgs/legs. Is this just one of those thing that takes time? Im not sure if I should stick with the building phase and then try and shed some more fat, or do it in reverse ie. Go back to a calorie deficit and more cardio to burn the fat, and then try adding some muscle. I've been reading myself into some serious confusion! Please help?! Much appreciated, thank you...

[n0ts0smart]

hello all! First off I'm pretty new to this site so keep that in consideration. I'm 5"6, 121 lbs and about 25% BF. I've had a 20 lb weight loss over the last 6 months from dieting and doing bootcamp/circuit training type workouts. The problem is in those type of workouts there arer so many reps that I basically used a 5 or 10 lb dumbbell or bodyweight only. So after I hit my goal weight of 125 I switched to more lifting, heavier weight and a maintenance calorie level which I determined to be around 1850cal(approximate). I'm lifting 4days a week and cardio(usually spinning or HIIT) 2x per week with one day rest. Now I just feel skinny fat. I swear none of those twenty pound came off my butt! My upper body is looking toned but I'm still jelly in the butt/thighgs/legs. Is this just one of those thing that takes time? Im not sure if I should stick with the building phase and then try and shed some more fat, or do it in reverse ie. Go back to a calorie deficit and more cardio to burn the fat, and then try adding some muscle. I've been reading myself into some serious confusion! Please help?! Much appreciated, thank you...

As they always say on this board, you can't pick where the weight comes off. You just have to put your head down and continue to work out until you see something you like. I'm the same way. My upper half looks perfect, but my legs and thighs are atrocious. However, since I've been working out, I've gained muscle on my upper half and my lower half is starting to shape up nicely. Keep your chin up!

[Kricket09]

As they always say on this board, you can't pick where the weight comes off. You just have to put your head down and continue to work out until you see something you like. I'm the same way. My upper half looks perfect, but my legs and thighs are atrocious. However, since I've been working out, I've gained muscle on my upper half and my lower half is starting to shape up nicely. Keep your chin up!

Thanks! Good to know your lower half is starting to shape up...hope mine does too!lol. I'm feeling SUpER motivated so I'm hoping it lasts...

[20kelley10]

You, like most women, carry most of your fat in your lower body. This is great for having a child but can be a pain in the ass to lose. I have the same problem area! I have been lifting heavy for about a year and managed to reduce my thigh size by about 2 inches. I saw most of these results by diet and working legs two days a week doing squats, lunges, dead lifts, leg press. At first you will feel awkward doing these exercises but it is extremely important to get form down. Once you get comfortable lifting you will be amazed with how strong your legs are. Lifting heavy should help with muscle definition and reduce cellulite, but your diet needs to be on target to really see results. Good luck!

[vandalgirl59]

You, like most women, carry most of your fat in your lower body. This is great for having a child but can be a pain in the ass to lose. I have the same problem area! I have been lifting heavy for about a year and managed to reduce my thigh size by about 2 inches. I saw most of these results by diet and working legs two days a week doing squats, lunges, dead lifts, leg press. At first you will feel awkward doing these exercises but it is extremely important to get form down. Once you get comfortable lifting you will be amazed with how strong your legs are. Lifting heavy should help with muscle definition and reduce cellulite, but your diet needs to be on target to really see results. Good luck!

DITTO!!! The heavier I work my legs, the better results I seem to get as far as leaning them out. Definitely the last place I lose fat on my body.

[DaniGrrl]

My lower half is the last place I am seeing any good results but I am finally starting to see them. And it's been years. Admittedly I didn't do legs heavily enough until I joined this site a couple months ago so I maybe would have started seeing results sooner if I'd known better. But for women, it seems to take a really long time to get the butt looking the way we want it to. Which really sucks because that is the area we all want to look perfect. Hang in there - you'll get there!!!!