I know I get looks from people as I read my labels, scan my food into my favorite Food App (Lose It), and track my exercise. I know that I get them because at first glance, you would immediately assume that I don’t really need to lose any weight, and am just out to get the attention or that I have an eating disorder. (And yes I have been accused of both) I understand, in a way. I am 5’4″ and only weigh about 125lbs. But the problem is, when I don’t pay attention to what I am putting in my body, I tend to eat CRAP. And without tracking, I skip workouts. And even though I may be “small” and some people would call me skinny – I had zero strength and very little muscle tone, except for the muscles in my legs I have gotten from running. I was (and still am) Skinny Fat.
Skinny Fat is what happens when you only focus on weight. When people tell me I look great and don’t need to work out, I would always respond that clothes do amazing things. I had (have) no muscle tone. While obesity is a problem in the US, the focus has become too focused solely on the number of the scale. I was amazed to read a Time article that talked about a 19-year-old diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. This young girl is 5 foot 3 inches, and weight 117 pounds. It brought to my attention that one fourth of US adults with “normal” weight have some form of unhealthy heart, like high blood pressure or high cholesterol. It drove home that weight alone is not the answer. We have to stop focusing on the numbers that pop up on the scale, and start focusing on the food we are putting into our bodies and the exercise we are getting.
Battling Skinny-Fat starts includes looking at your diet. Focus on lowering carb intake and upping healthy fats and proteins (my biggest challenge). Take a look at your exercise routine. Are you doing a lot of cardio? (like me?) Start weight training. Don’t worry about bulking up to a point you look like a crazy, pumped-up, stereotypical bodybuilder – focus on weight training exercises that will help build and tone your body. Ladies, this can also help prevent osteoporosis.
So, in order to beat the Skinny Fat, I use my apps to track my nutrition to make sure I am getting enough protein to build the muscles I am working. I track the calories I am expending through my workouts as well. The hardest part, as I have mentioned in my training logs, is getting the weight training in. If you want an honest look at how weak I am – I am using 3-pound weights, and for some moves…. I feel lucky that I am able to get through my reps. But I remember I am a work in process.
Bruce on
This is spot on!! I know this is skewed more towards women but it applies to guys too, thanks for reminding me to be aware, I get off track too, but always get back to doing what ‘m supposed to but not without a price on my health!
Lisa on
Thanks Bruce! It definitely applies to everyone. I think American society as a whole is skewed toward focusing on that number on the scale, instead of being strong and healthy!
I really have found that tracking through apps helps, it just holds me accountable. Seeing that you have logged a lot of junk food and not enough exercise, I stop wondering why suddenly I am feeling run down. At that point it’s pretty obvious I am doing it to myself!
Marie on
Homeopathic Treatment for Excessive Fat and Weight :-PHYTOLACCA BERRY’s Mother Tincture is perhaps the saesft and sure fire way of loosing excessive fat around abdomen. With Phytolacca Berry once you loose the excessive fat and weight you don’t get it back because you body takes care of itself after that and keeps you from gathering up excessive fat. It is prescribed after having a baby too, to get the tummy to loose its flab and to make it flatter and tighter. And after loosing weight with this you don’t get flabby it tightens up the flab and skin along with helping your body to shed the excessive accumulation of fat around the girthThe dosage is 15 to 20 drops of the tincture in half a cup of hot water thrice a day half hour before or after meals.Avoid Chocolates, Coffee, Mints, Red Meat and Carbonated and Alcoholic drinks while taking Homeopathic Medicines. You have to take it for at least 30 to 45 days after that you start to feel the results.To the best of my knowledge its the saesft and the most sure fire way of loosing fat and weight and keeping it of for keeps. Excellent remedy for Obese people who cant seem to shed weight despite trying. Loose as much as you want to !Homeopathic Remedies can be found at all Major Herbal Stores or could be bought on line, In most of the world Homeopathic remedies are quite cheap and easy to find and they do not need a prescription.Take care and God Bless ! P.SRegular active exercise is advised with all weight loosing medicines and remedies Take care
Hareshkumar on
Don’t get abs if your a girl, a lot of guys find them unattractive, cause I don’t think I’d be attctraed to a girl who looks like she could beat me up You can still be strong and not have abs