Building muscle under fat..

[FrailAngel]

I exercise a lot, but since I started doing gym in school and broomball my legs have gotten way bigger and they just look fatter.. I do elliptical trainer, stepper, and exercise bike everyday because it's cardio but it doesn't seem to be working, only building more muscle. I can't jog here right now because it's so cold. I also just started doing yoga.. I need ideas on how to lose that fat on top of muscle, help please!!!!

[Tyler3295]

Just lose general body fat overall. Because of heredity, some people lose it a LITTLE bit fast/slower in certain places, but just lower the body fat. Leg muscles and abs were two of the more difficult muscles to start showing for me. Arms and chest were first.

Any idea what your body fat percentage is as of now?

[FrailAngel]

I did this test, it wasn't very like precise, didn't ask much but I don't have time at the moment, I'll do a better one later. I think it's around 23%. But when I lose weight, my legs is always the last place to lose.. Its stupid because my upper body is so small and my legs are so big. I hate it.

[Tyler3295]

I did this test, it wasn't very like precise, didn't ask much but I don't have time at the moment, I'll do a better one later. I think it's around 23%. But when I lose weight, my legs is always the last place to lose.. Its stupid because my upper body is so small and my legs are so big. I hate it.

Yeah, most people will not start getting "defined" muscles until a much lower body fat percentage. Perhaps a ketogenic diet or something? Something that is specifically for burning fat while retaining LBM?

[FrailAngel]

Omg I just realized 23% is a lot haha. I think it's less because I am majorly muscular for a girl and have worked out almost everyday for 3 years.. and I'm in tons of sports. Like it can't be that much, can it? Now i'm depressed.

[Tyler3295]

I am not sure what it could be.

Women naturally have higher BF%s than men though.

[Vision Thing]

Omg I just realized 23% is a lot haha. I think it's less because I am majorly muscular for a girl and have worked out almost everyday for 3 years.. and I'm in tons of sports. Like it can't be that much, can it? Now i'm depressed.


Yeah I find I build muscle easily for a girl too.

If you've worked out that much then the muscle is going to be there already, you just need to worry about getting the BFP down until you get in the fitness category. Although you're not too far off it at the moment, so things look pretty achievable for you.

[Tyler3295]

Omg I just realized 23% is a lot haha. ...

Also, I forgot to tell you. 23% body fat for a female is not all that high. It is considered in the "healthy" category and is the equivalent for about 17% body fat for a man.

So, in females, it sounds a lot higher than it really is, but if you think about it/analyze it, it really is not that bad at all. :)

[xxemxx]

my legs are that way too and i hate it also
i run, do the elliptical, bike almost everyday for over an hour and still big thighs
i think it's like what Tyler said where you lose fat quicker in places compared to others and also how you're built (more apple, pear, hour glass...)

the thing about BF that i wonder about is how low for a woman to get awesome abs, i just got mine checked and it was 10.3% but i dont have great toned abs unless i flex theres a thin layer of fat on them

do you know Tyler (thought i'd add that cuz you're really smart in diet/nutrition related stuff)

[FrailAngel]

No I don't know Tyler... I always lose weight around my tummy and upper body before my legs. It just makes me so mad because I look stupid. My upper body always looks so skinny and my legs are freaking huge! Seriously my body is so stupid that way.. Even at my lowest weight my legs still looked huge.. Guess I just gotta lose a lot more weight. I'm just going to keep doing what im doing and hope for a miracle haha! I started yoga a couple weeks ago. That might have something to do with why I am building muscle.

Yoga tones your body right??

[Tyler3295]

... the thing about BF that i wonder about is how low for a woman to get awesome abs, i just got mine checked and it was 10.3% but i dont have great toned abs unless i flex theres a thin layer of fat on them ...

I would not recommend you going any lower than that. That is already a low BF% for a female..


No I don't know Tyler... ...

Now you do! :D haha

[shayyy333]

i have this problem too. Im a swimmer and a martial artist and i just build muscle and dont burn fat:( so i just feel big and gross.