Trying to Lose Final Few Pounds while Aiming for Six-Pack - How?

[Jetheat]

I have a bit of a unique situation which isn't really covered anywhere, and so I was looking for advice on what I should be doing.

I have gone from 100kg (220 lbs) to 67kg (148 lbs) over the course of a year by going on an extreme calorie deficit.

I normally skip breakfast and lunch (sometimes have tea) and have a one-plate meal for dinner, followed by some sweets.
So overall, I would say my intake is around 700-1000 calories per day.

This allows me to lose around 0.2 - 0.4 kg (0.44 - 0.88 lbs) per day on average.

Since I have been doing this for over a year and my body is used to it now, if I eat just a few more calories than I normally do (like say 1500), I would put weight on the next day, even though it is probably still below my recommended intake. And that's why my situation is unique and delicate.

My target weight is 65kg (143 lbs) to be in the middle of my normal weight range, and I am currently just 2kg (4 lbs) away from that.

So now, here is the problem....

Losing all that weight has left me with loose skin (droops over my trousers when sitting) and I also still have some fat remaining in the mid-section mixed in with the loose skin, although I have lost fat (and possibly muscle) from all other parts of my body.

So I have decided to tone my stomach and get a six-pack, while losing the remaining fat around my stomach. Thus, I have just joined the gym.

So given my situation, my goals are:
- Lose remaining 2kg or more.
- Remove loose skin by toning.
- Removing the remaining fat that's mixed with the loose skin.
- Get a six-pack now.

The question is, how do I get a six-pack while in the process of losing weight? I have mid-section flab and loose skin but I am close to my target weight also. If I start to bulk up for the six-pack, I will start to put on weight which will undo the work I have done.

So should I take protein powder for building my six pack or should I leave it considering that it may put on weight and head me in the opposite direction?

Should I start eating stuff again like healthy fats, protein stuff, nuts, grains etc... in an effort to stimulate six-pack growth, or will that just make me put on weight again and never let me get down to 65kg (target weight).

So I have this dilemma and I'm hoping someone can point me in the right direction.

Appreciate the help,

JH

[ironwill2008]

You can't display muscle you don't yet have.

It's time to reverse the process and start eating at a moderate calorie surplus and weight training to build some muscle. If you just continue to lose weight, you only appear anorexic.

There's a good beginner bodybuilding program linked in the "Don't look past the basics" sticky thread near the top of this forum.

[Jetheat]

You can't display muscle you don't yet have.

It's time to reverse the process and start eating at a moderate calorie surplus and weight training to build some muscle. If you just continue to lose weight, you only appear anorexic.

There's a good beginner bodybuilding program linked in the "Don't look past the basics" sticky thread near the top of this forum.

How do I do this without putting on weight?

JH

[lowkey122]

Since I have been doing this for over a year and my body is used to it now, if I eat just a few more calories than I normally do (like say 1500), I would put weight on the next day, even though it is probably still below my recommended intake. And that's why my situation is unique and delicate.

Your situation isn't unique and your post is a great representation of why people's focus should be on fat loss, not weight loss. Your weight will be all over the map for numerous reasons even while losing fat. By only focusing on the "total weight" number the scale is giving you-you're creating an unnecessarily large deficit as a means to an end. It's very likely that the weight you're gaining back when you increase your calories is water, maybe even some muscle that your body stripped away due to being in such a massive deficit for so long.

The difference of eating 500-800 extra calories a day (especially for just one day) is a fraction of a pound and you would have to eat an excess of your maintenance (which you aren't doing) for those calories to be possibly converted to fat. So you would have to eat your maintenance, for the sake of argument let's just say that's 2500, then you would have to add onto that 3500 additional calories to gain a pound of fat. You ain't even hitting 2500 in the first place.

The question is, how do I get a six-pack while in the process of losing weight? I have mid-section flab and loose skin but I am close to my target weight also. If I start to bulk up for the six-pack, I will start to put on weight which will undo the work I have done.

You already have a six pack, everyone does, otherwise you wouldn't be able to get out of bed in the morning, walk around all day or perform any basic movements for that matter. What you're referring to is either a defined set of abs or the "brick wall" look of enlarged abdominal muscles, or both. To make them visible you need to lose more fat, you already know this. To make them enlarged you need to attack them like any other muscle you're trying to build, hit it with weight. Everyone's abs appear at different bodyfat percentages so the % is irrelevant. Bulking them up isn't necessarily going to make them more visible and merely focusing on your core it isn't going to encourage your body to isolate fat from just your stomach.

[ironwill2008]

How do I do this without putting on weight?

JH

You don't.

But again, you can't display muscle you don't have. Your goals are your own, but very few male posters on this site would ever be satisfied to remain at 143 pounds.

[Jetheat]

The difference of eating 500-800 extra calories a day (especially for just one day) is a fraction of a pound and you would have to eat an excess of your maintenance (which you aren't doing) for those calories to be possibly converted to fat. So you would have to eat your maintenance, for the sake of argument let's just say that's 2500, then you would have to add onto that 3500 additional calories to gain a pound of fat. You ain't even hitting 2500 in the first place.

To make them enlarged you need to attack them like any other muscle you're trying to build, hit it with weight. Everyone's abs appear at different bodyfat percentages so the % is irrelevant. Bulking them up isn't necessarily going to make them more visible and merely focusing on your core it isn't going to encourage your body to isolate fat from just your stomach.

Excellent reply. Thank you for that.
So are you suggesting that I remain in calorie deficit but increase my calorie intake a little bit to just below my breakeven point?

Should I not do Ab exercises for now then?

but very few male posters on this site would ever be satisfied to remain at 143 pounds.

Are you saying that 143 lbs is too high for most posters here? They wanna go far under?

[spradish]

How tall are you?

[lowkey122]

Excellent reply. Thank you for that.
So are you suggesting that I remain in calorie deficit but increase my calorie intake a little bit to just below my breakeven point?

My suggestion is that you completely redefine how you view losing fat. It sounds to me like your goal was just to hit a target number and you've made unnecessary sacrifices to get there at any and all cost. 700-1000 calories a day is simply unhealthy for an adult, male or female, and it's counterproductive to achieving any fitness goal.

Weight loss should not be your goal, FAT loss should be your goal. You need to be in a deficit but the range you've chosen is far too low. Eat enough that you're in a slight deficit but you have the energy to train with intensity. Keep in mind a deficit isn't limited to food intake, you can create one through exercise too.

Should I not do Ab exercises for now then?

Ab work should be a regular part of your routine. I would advise any and everyone to do core work, and by that I don't mean 1000 sit ups a day but things like: ab roller, bb weighted decline sit ups, weighted cable crunches, side to side leg raises (lying on your back), hanging leg raises etc. Be merciless and hit them HARD with weight.

[Jetheat]

Great advice, I'll take it all on board and increase my calorie intake while working on my abs.


Spradish, I'm 5ft 10in or 178cm.

JH