Skinny Fat man

Feenix

I've just recently discovered the term "skinny fat" and I think its what I am.
Been going the gym on n off for last couple of years but started SL 5x5 about a month ago. I weigh 170lbs , i lost 2 stone in the 14 months or so mainly due to eating better. Is it more difficult to notice any changes with this body type? They have been minimal, obviously I know Im only doing 5x5 for a month but even before when i was doing a plan that an instructor gave me I only noticed slight changes so lost motivation. im 30 years old.

My diet is good most of the time. ( I think )
Breakfast : Porridge with banana, strawberries, maybe some peanut butter
Lunch: Varies. Most often would be a couple of wholemeal wraps with chicken, veg , egg,lettuce.
Dinner: 2 chicken fillets, broccoli, brown rice or sweet potato.

I usually have 3 or 4 scrambled eggs at around 8 30.
A couple snacks in between meals, maybe rice cakes with peanut butter or some peanuts.
I have a protein shake after a workout.
Have a couple of beers in the house the odd time, maybe once a week.
I have a proper night out once a month on average I reckon, where I drink lots.
I rarely eat take aways, occasionally a carvery for lunch or wrap from a deli.
Never counted calories as it sounds like torture but im considering it if it will make a big difference.
Would someone with this body type need to maintain calorie intake or increase ? Have been reading so much online and it varies so much regarding bulking, cutting etc that I lose motivation a bit. 170 is a bit too light anyway, I look skinny with clothes on but still have a decent shape, but not so much with clothes off, way too much fat on chest, belly and back. Also around my face, it seems I gain a lot of fat which is worrying if i had to bulk.
My main goal would be to get lean and then build from there I suppose.
Help appreciated.

Doug Cartel

Being skinny fat basically means that you have little muscle and a level of fat that balances this out so that you can pass for being a healthy size. It's also associated with having high levels of visceral fat around your organs which is fairly bad stuff, and something you should probably take care of for your health's sake, never mind appearance.

If I were you I would put aside bulking and cutting and what you look like for a while and just concentrate eating a sensible diet while getting strong and working on your general fitness. Once you have some OK-ish numbers on your lifts and your general fitness is good, then start working on what you look like. Although, I think by the time you can squat/bench/dead a decent load, and run a few rounds of sprints without killing yourself, you probably won't look so skinny-fat.

Feenix

Ok, thanks. Cardio wise, im pretty fit, i dont do any HIIT but was running 10-15k a couple times a week before i started SL5x5. Its more the reading up online I have been doing about body types that was worrying me most. Alot of people seem to think that skinny-fat is the most difficult to get in shape. As you say , hopefully it will not be the case in a few months when im lifting more.

Doug Cartel

Feenix wrote: »

I have been doing about body types that was worrying me most.

I don't know what stuff you have read, but most o the body-type stuff out there (the ecto/endo/maesomorph classifications) is based on some crack-pot psychology theory form the 50s that somehow became a widely known "fact" and also switched to being a physiological thing as well. It's mostly bunk anyway.

You say you have the running thing down, great. Concentrate on getting strong so, and see where it gets you.