Question about eating more...

[SubterraneanAlien]

Just a bit of background - I'm in my 30s, quite active in terms of running after kids, going "swimming" with them, etc, but never did proper exercise three times a week before. (Actually, not strictly true - I used to swim for half an hour two/three times a week, for a couple of years before having children, about 6 years ago.)

Anyway, I've always been quite slim - I think I'm fidgety, eat healthy food until I'm full then stop. I probably don't eat enough during the day and snack a bit in the evening. However, since I've been doing C25k, I've been pretty hungry and I seem to have developed a fat tummy! I look like Mr Skinny when he's eaten a pea!

So I'm running regularly, doing some strength training to hopefully tone up and increase the muscle mass in my core and upper body, which is a bit weedy. But how do I get rid of my squidgy tummy! Is it what I'm eating (cheese and crackers and crisps are my vice - not excessively, but regularly!)? Or is there some exercise I can do to combat it?

Be gentle with me! I know it's probably my fault!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

have you tried planking? That should tone the area up... and there's all ways of adapting it to make t more "fun" too

if you're not gaining weight elsewhere, or at all, it may be a diet issue... I know protein helps that area, so maybe there's not enough of it? Maybe replace the cheese with a lower fat higher protein source?

[SubterraneanAlien Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

I plank every day! I had peanut butter in fruit toast last night instead of cheese and crackers! (My hubby thinks this is a disgusting combo!)

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to SubterraneanAlien]

I agree with him, but then I’ve never eaten peanut butter so what would I know? I can’t do bread with fruit in either 😂

[SOULY47 Graduate]

Mr Skinny when he's eaten a pea. Sorry but I'm laughing my head off at the picture in my head. Can't give you any advice as I'm chunky all over

[SubterraneanAlien Graduate in reply to SOULY47]

😂 It's true though!

[davelinks Graduate]

healthline.com/nutrition/6-...

[SubterraneanAlien Graduate in reply to davelinks]

Thanks!

How can I live without carbs though?!

I should eat more protein.

Don't eat much sweet food anyway.

I will reassess my lunches and evening snacks...

[davelinks Graduate in reply to SubterraneanAlien]

If you read and digest (no pun intended)the report properly, it does say cut carbs, you don't have to live without carbs..

[SubterraneanAlien Graduate in reply to davelinks]

I know. My feigned shock didn't come across well written down. 😅

[Realfoodieclub Graduate]

I don’t think exercise will help get rid of a “squidgy tummy”. All it will do is tone up what is underneath. But saying that toned muscles underneath can cause the squidgyness to poke out more if you see my meaning. If you know that you are definitely eating more then try cutting back for a couple of weeks and see if it makes a difference. Have you tried a tape measure to see if it is actually changing? Do you clothes feel tighter?

Weight loss and running is helped by refuelling when the body needs it rather than going long times inbetween meals. It could be just a little adjustment on timing of meals might help, also try adding more fluid in as low hydration can cause your body to hold water and if you a skinny pea that might be more noticeable to yourself.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Good point... I always forget that my abs are actually under there somewhere 😂

[SubterraneanAlien Graduate]

Yes, my muscles are pushing the squidge out! Oh how I hope that is true!

I don't think I should eat less. I'm borderline normal/underweight according to my bmi.

I'll definitely look at eating more during the day, rather than loading in the evening. It's hard on the days I work - it's just full-on non-stop from the minute I get there to the minute I leave. But I'm part-time so should manage it for 4 days a week.

Thanks for the advice!

[Mercmancouchto5k Graduate]

Hi there. I have recently been diagnosed with diabetes type 2 and am doing the couch25K as part of a self-recovery effort. I do not want to take metformin tablets. This may not be directly relevant to your Mr Skinny pea-eating stomach (LOL) but I have read a lot of Dr Eric Berg's stuff and it makes sense to me. I do not necessarily think that a ketogenic diet is a solution for anything, but it did help me to create a detailed diet plan that logs what I eat, how much of it (in grams per day), how many calories I consume and how many grams of carbs I consume. Perversely, Dr Berg says that the natural reaction of the body when confronted with a shortage of food is to store reserves as fat. Maybe useless, but worth a watch I think. youtube.com/watch?v=P7fHYSy...(Not working as expected?).

Since starting the diet, 2 litres of water per day and the couch25K regime, I have lost my chronic tiredness and am slowly sleeping better. I have lost 2 to 3 kilos in 3 weeks. You may do well to see a dietitian or your GP to ask about what change in food intake may be appropriate to accompany your couch25K participation.