conflicting advice about "skinny fat"

[NoLoveLost]

As I previously stated, I walk 20-30 miles per week already. I'm constantly on my feet at work, sometimes for 12-14 hrs straight. Sometimes I don't get to eat, and I'm lucky if I have 2 minutes to use the restroom! The other night, for instance, I worked 15 hours straight without sitting down, and without having a break to eat. That's not uncommon, we're always understaffed. Nursing is not a desk job-- it is constant, on-the-go, adrenalin-pumping work. I am 5' 6" and 112 pounds, I just don't think I need a TON of cardio

I think I am going to stick with weightlifting and swimming for now, and I'll check back with you all in 6-8 weeks. Wish me luck!

For your height you are quite thin. I wouldn't "pound the cardio" either, but you can do some for endurance. Weights, and diet are going to be your friends if you want to gain muscle. If you are that thin, you really need to look at your diet to help you gain muscle.

Sounds like your life is very busy, but *try* to keep yourself on track even at work. I know it's hard, I come from a family of doctors, so I know you guys don't get to pick and choose when things get busy.

I hope you find something that will work for you. Swimming is great exercise, and I think that with weights is a good choice

 

[NeuroRN76]

Thanks for all the replies! Even the person who said I was crazy... maybe so. Body image problems, I don't deny. But I'm wickedly smart, so that trumps the neurosis. My logic prevents me from becoming self-destructive. I don't LIKE what I see in the mirror, but I don't take extreme measures to fix it. I just try to keep a level head and have patience. Trust me, when you lose muscle, you can be thin and have body fat. Look at Amy Winehouse. Blech. My BFP is 31% I believe (give or take). I'd be happy with something in the 20s, whatever is considered average for a woman my size and age.

Hey I am sore today, that means I did something right, even though I only worked out for 20 min, right? It's a start. Swimming begins today. I'm pumped. And I'm starting a better diet today, less carbs. I crave carbs like you wouldn't believe, so I am making a conscious effort to eat more protein and less carbs. (Dining on grilled fish as I type...)

Tic, you are correct about the cortisol levels. My doctor has been begging me to get on day shift for years, but I don't like a lot of commotion and noise, so I stay on nights. I do have some peaceful nights when my patients actually go to sleep like normal people. Day shift is 10 times the work for less pay. I still have a lot of stress on nights, but less so. I just took the night off yesterday because I'm still grieving over the loss of one of my Hospice patients. My stress hormones are probably maxed out.

Sorry, tangent...

Anyway, I think I am going to do well. I'm excited, and this gives me something to focus on so work isn't bogging me down with stress. Swimming is so relaxing to me. I think I might be able to stick with this. :costumed4:

PS: Hi FF!! :action11:

 

[NeuroRN76]

I forgot to mention... I have been reading up on HIIT also, so I'm glad you guys mentioned it! It sounds like a great idea, in theory. I'm thinking I will try it once I get my strength back. I have loose ligaments (hypermobile joints) so I'm not sure if I would get injured when sprinting or not. I guess you don't want tight ligaments when running either, so maybe it will work to my advantage. Only one way to find out!

 

[tic]

Sorry to bring this post back up, and hope you read this. Its is apparent from the past that you know how to lose that tummy roll. I THINK I've figured out what is the issue with you gaining that tummy. Since your Cortisol level is elevated from sleeping pattern and work, when you consume any fat your body will want to hold on to it. Just a suggestion but when you feel extra stress instead of drinking some beer or eating ice cream, go for a swimming and eat what you like but in much small portion if it's fatting food. Instead of cookies, go for a walk or hike. Figure things out to reduce your "stress."

Good luck.

 

[NeuroRN76]

Sorry to bring this post back up, and hope you read this. Its is apparent from the past that you know how to lose that tummy roll. I THINK I've figured out what is the issue with you gaining that tummy. Since your Cortisol level is elevated from sleeping pattern and work, when you consume any fat your body will want to hold on to it. Just a suggestion but when you feel extra stress instead of drinking some beer or eating ice cream, go for a swimming and eat what you like but in much small portion if it's fatting food. Instead of cookies, go for a walk or hike. Figure things out to reduce your "stress."

Good luck.

LOL, thanks. I'm just giggling because I'm almost 33, and I've never had a beer in my life. I don't drink any alcohol, aside from a few sips of wine or champagne on a special occasion. I don't like cookies, and I don't really eat anything too fattening, aside from the occasional cheeseburger. I eat mostly fish, eggs, fruit, and vegetables. I crave carbs like bread, pasta, and cereal, but try my best to avoid them. I'm not an emotional eater, I tend to lose my appetite when I'm stressed. I also have thyroid disease and insulin resistance, which is why I hold onto fat around my abdomen. (I am an endocrine and autoimmune nightmare.) I may try something like Metformin (Glucophage) in the future, but right now, I'd rather try exercise. I've heard Metformin causes nausea, and to me, that's the worst feeling in the world.

I've been on this forum for quite a while now, and those who know me, know that I suffer from a lot of medical problems. The reason I never stick with one program, is that I usually fall very ill whenever I overexert myself, and have to give up, then never resume. This latest attemt has been no exception. I'm currently experiencing one of the worst flare-ups of my autoimmune disease in several years. I'm so weak, I can barely get up my steps. I'm running a fever, and my mouth is filled with deep, painful ulcers. So I'm off work till Wednesday, at home in bed, trying to recover. I'll try again next week (slowly), if I'm well by then. :bncry:

 

[Lillian]

LOL, thanks. I'm just giggling because I'm almost 33, and I've never had a beer in my life. I don't drink any alcohol, aside from a few sips of wine or champagne on a special occasion. I don't like cookies, and I don't really eat anything too fattening, aside from the occasional cheeseburger. I eat mostly fish, eggs, fruit, and vegetables. I crave carbs like bread, pasta, and cereal, but try my best to avoid them. I'm not an emotional eater, I tend to lose my appetite when I'm stressed. I also have thyroid disease and insulin resistance, which is why I hold onto fat around my abdomen. (I am an endocrine and autoimmune nightmare.) I may try something like Metformin (Glucophage) in the future, but right now, I'd rather try exercise. I've heard Metformin causes nausea, and to me, that's the worst feeling in the world.

I've been on this forum for quite a while now, and those who know me, know that I suffer from a lot of medical problems. The reason I never stick with one program, is that I usually fall very ill whenever I overexert myself, and have to give up, then never resume. This latest attemt has been no exception. I'm currently experiencing one of the worst flare-ups of my autoimmune disease in several years. I'm so weak, I can barely get up my steps. I'm running a fever, and my mouth is filled with deep, painful ulcers. So I'm off work till Wednesday, at home in bed, trying to recover. I'll try again next week (slowly), if I'm well by then. :bncry:

hope you feel better soon! i have to agree with the others that you look great already. if you flare up when you overexert yourself, maybe try to find a point where you could do it without flaring up, if that's possible. rest up and feel better.

 

[Littlea]

But I'm wickedly smart, so that trumps the neurosis.

I like that attitude. Sorry to call you crazy. I find most fit women have no clue how great they look. Every weekend I take 3 or 4 hot chicks (friends of my wife's and my wife) to the lake. They are all insecure. meanwhile I am trying to outrun boats full of ****-smoking dudes that want to get on my boat.

Sometimes its really nice to have a boat full of hotties >>>> drive by a boat full of dudes that start waving their arms to stop >>>> take another swig of beer as I drive away laughing.

In truth the girls dont want to stop and their husbands dont want me to stop either. I did however party with a boat load of lesbians. Now those chicks know how to party.