Confused on fat loss nutrition
Hi folks im not too sure if someone has posted something of this nature before but i was hoping that with the immense amount of people on this site that if ideally find out the information i require.
basically im 21 going on 22 in April and as of the January i was probably in the worst shape of my life. being 6'0 and weighing about 250 pounds with a body fat anything from 27-30%. i have since then started to eat clean and go to the gym at least 2-4 times weekly, with my sessions including HIIT training and some weight lifting. Most of my fat is in my lower body such as thighs, butt and some showing in my stomach area and some in my chest. As far as nutrition is concerned i have been eating salad's with tuna and sometimes chicken, thus far ive seen a bit of change but i know that ive still got a long way to go. i roughly eat 2-3 meals a day, not including a postwork protein shake.
so typically my day would be
breakfast- cup of coffee with no sugar or milk, possibly oatmeal or a small serving of nut based cereal. and on the occasion a piece of fruit such as an apple, banana or a pear.
post workout- whey protein shake
lunch- a plate of mixed leaf salad with carrots, typically with tuna or chicken if im feeling up for it.
dinner- mixed salad with 1/2 boiled eggs and tuna/chicken.
my calorie intake for the day varies between 1,200-1,600
on the odd occasion if i work out later in the day than expected i might miss lunch and just go for dinner.
The thing is rarely feel hungry considered the way ive been eating, so you could say this is working for me.
here lies the issue
i have been told many a times that i should eat anything from 5-6 times a day, smaller meals of course. This is where one of my issues comes as i dont feel to eat more frequently especially as what im doing is currently working. i dont intend to eat salads forever as im intending to transition to vegetables and lean meats and fish withing the coming months.
my main questions centralize around...
1. Is what im currently doing is good based on what the body needs nutritionally speaking ?
2. is taking a post workout shake necessary if my quest is to lose fat/weight, even though i do some weight training
3. what should my gym sessions consist more of ? more weights or more cardio ?
4. Just any generally advice or tips from those that have been through what im going or been in my shoes.
i will greatly appreciate it if anyone can chyme in on this.
Thank you
i do apologize for the length of this post
Im just really tying to perfect my diet and nutrition as i make this a way of life, i don't want to be wasting time doing it all wrong and come the following year im back in the cycle of eating unhealthy and stuff.