Is Going Low-Carb Vegetarian or More Strength Training Better for Losing Stomach Fat?

[xoxodede]

Ok - I need help and advice. .

I am 5'2 and 127lbs -- I am vegan but I am considering adding in eggs and diary back into my life to see if it will help lose my stubborn lower belly pooch.

I work out 3-4 days out the week. Mainly Treadmill/Elliptical/Bike and 15-20 mins of light weights. I also usually catch a Hot Yoga class`on the weekend.

My issue is belly fat. Its not BAD but it's there -- and I'm at the point where I am even considering lipo because I am tired of looking at it.

I am aiming to get back to 118lbs-120lbs -- but I usually look kinda unhealthy at that weight - and always get comments from others about it. My happy weight is 123lbs-125lbs - but my belly pouch is really bothering me.

What would you all recommend? I'm willing to put in the effort cause I am over it.

 

[TLR Is Mental Poison]

Theres a lot to unpack here

For starters no thirst we can't see your pooch in an all black outfit. You might as well be wearing a hijab.

Secondly there could be a few things going on that aren't necessarily tied to fat. You may have weak traverse abs. Planks and vacuums will help you out.

Third LEE I wouldn't focus so much on body weight as much as I would body composition. If you got some more muscle on your arms and legs your stomach would look proportionally smaller. You would weigh more but you would probably look better. Especially if you combined that new mass with ab tightening work like planks and vacuums.

No matter how you cut it though you are going to need protein. I would recommend some vegan proteins like pea protein.

 

[xoxodede]

Theres a lot to unpack here

For starters no thirst we can't see your pooch in an all black outfit. You might as well be wearing a hijab.

Secondly there could be a few things going on that aren't necessarily tied to fat. You may have weak traverse abs. Planks and vacuums will help you out.

Third LEE I wouldn't focus so much on body weight as much as I would body composition. If you got some more muscle on your arms and legs your stomach would look proportionally smaller. You would weigh more but you would probably look better. Especially if you combined that new mass with ab tightening work like planks and vacuums.

No matter how you cut it though you are going to need protein. I would recommend some vegan proteins like pea protein.

Thanks for responding! And yeah... you can't really see it. I just didn't want to throw up another pic. I'm removed it.

Very good advice! I haven't gotten my body fat percentage tested in over a year. I usually go to the water dunk once a year. Last time I went I was 28-29% so I know that wasn't good. I need to get that under control and under 25%.

AND I LOVE YOU ---because after googling pics of weak Transverse abs - that is exactly my issue!

Will incorporating 2-3 sets of planks and vacuums a day should help?

Any advice on carbs intake percentage? I just started cutting carbs, my sugar intake and eating more protein (today I had added chia seeds to lunch/dinner ).

I am aiming for 30g of Carbs per day --- or should I not even focus on dropping weight - and just build muscle?

 

[The ADD]

I would be very cautious with 30 grams of carbs and being vegetarian as a female. Hormones get wacky on low carb as is and it could go left for you as a female. I'm not saying you can't do it but if you do and it doesn't agree with you after a reasonable time then you might want to scrap it.

You might not like life at that level of carbs, that's extremely low in general, nevermind combined with exercise.

@awkwardblackgirl might have some feedback

 

[TLR Is Mental Poison]

Yea low carb is not the wave

I would do the vacuums and planks every other day or every day if you can.

 

[xoxodede]

I would be very cautious with 30 grams of carbs and being vegetarian as a female. Hormones get wacky on low carb as is and it could go left for you as a female. I'm not saying you can't do it but if you do and it doesn't agree with you after a reasonable time then you might want to scrap it.

You might not like life at that level of carbs, that's extremely low in general, nevermind combined with exercise.

@awkwardblackgirl might have some feedback

Thanks for the advice! I'm vegan -- I was thinking about adding eggs and diary - but I really don't like eggs - and i'm sensitive to dairy. So, I am happy to hear about other options. What would be your recommendation for Carb intake? 50g+ per day?

 

[xoxodede]

Yea low carb is not the wave

I would do the vacuums and planks every other day or every day if you can.

Thanks for the advice. I'm starting tomorrow - i'll keep you updated on my results Thanks again!

 

[TRFG]

I would be very cautious with 30 grams of carbs and being vegetarian as a female. Hormones get wacky on low carb as is and it could go left for you as a female. I'm not saying you can't do it but if you do and it doesn't agree with you after a reasonable time then you might want to scrap it.

You might not like life at that level of carbs, that's extremely low in general, nevermind combined with exercise.

@awkwardblackgirl might have some feedback

30 grams of carb is enough. She'll just need to up her fat

 

[OneTimeforTheMind]

More strength and hypertrophy training (the pump)...sleep and up water intake

 

[Bboystyle]

Dont worry about how much carbs or fat u bringing in. Just track your protein and eat at a caloric deficit. As long as u aren't diabetic and eat at a caloric deficit then carbs are your best friend as they fuel your energy in your muscles. Dont follow the fake carb diets going on. Carbs dont make u fat, calories do.

 

[The ADD]

30 grams of carb is enough. She'll just need to up her fat

Didn't say it wasn't, it's all relative to activity level. If the person is training hard its likely to be rough.

Dailing the best number is a process. 30 seems arbitrary.

 

[NatiboyB]

if you listen to Mike Rashid going to Intermittent Fasting and cleaning up his diet has him feeling better than he eve has in life.

 

[xoxodede]

if you listen to Mike Rashid going to Intermittent Fasting and cleaning up his diet has him feeling better than he eve has in life.

Thanks. I usually do intermittent fast through out the week - every other day. It works great and keeps my weight/health in check. But, my last bit of stomach pooch - which I now think is an tilt with a weak core that is causing my issue.

I started the workout today (planks, vacuums and pilates). So, I hope I can wear my swimsuit at-least one time this summer without thinking about it.

 

[NatiboyB]

Thanks. I usually do intermittent fast through out the week - every other day. It works great and keeps my weight/health in check. But, my last bit of stomach pooch - which I now think is an tilt with a weak core that is causing my issue.

I started the workout today (planks, vacuums and pilates). So, I hope I can wear my swimsuit at-least one time this summer without thinking about it.

You doing deadlifts and squats of course

 

[A-Train]

why would you do low carb on a vegan diet? Something tells me you eat a lot of vegan junk. if you are eating plant based it would help with the belly