Fat not weight

Hey,

I am 13 years old. I am 175 cm/5'9 ft and I weigh 55 kg/121 lb last time I checked (late september?). My BMI is 18.

My problem is that I want to loose fat. Not weight. I still want a healthy-ish BMI. Whatever I eat goes straight to my thighs or butt. My arms are really skinny though but my stomach is kind of flaby.

Do you have any ideas how to loose fat but not weight?

Hit the Fitness forums!  Otherwise, just search for stomach exercises on Google or something.

Start weight lifting.

I don't want my mother or father to find out. But a couple of months ago I was into a yoga game on my DS is there any other kind of thing like that which does not make it seem like I am trying to loose weight to my parents?

Do you have a history that would concern your parents?  At the age of 13, if you're within a healthy BMI range I would not recommend a diet.  If you feel a need to focus on something, then research nutrition.

Weight lifting typically results in an increase in overall pounds and calories to build muscles.

There are a lot of body exercises that you can do without going to a gym...push ups are one example.

Honesty between kids and their parents is what builds trust. If you want your parents to support and trust you (which will make reaching your goals a lot easier) be upfront with them.

Tell them what you told us. You're a very smart person, you already did some of your research and you know what's healthy. If you focus on being a healthy person, rather than fitting into a certain image (and clothing size) you'll become a wonderful adult.

No parent should be concerned that their child wants to be healthier, in better shape. Perhaps you could even hit the gym or just have a walk with your mom (or dad) and try to have some healthier meals with them.

Keep an eye on your weight, you might have to eat a little more calories and get some extra protein, if you get really into working out.

According to this website, you are at a healthy weight for your height and age, so kudos to you for being a smart girl, not wanting to lose any weight, just wanting to tone.  PLEASE use it and put in your stats, and if you are going to start doing any sort of exercise regime, be SURE to eat the recommended amount of calories every day.  To eat less would be to risk damage to your still growing body.  Also be sure to keep re-checking that website as you grow to make sure you are still eating enough.

That being said, why don't you want your parents to know?  Can't you explain to them that you are not trying to lose, just be healthy?  If you show them the website I gave you and this one, and can prove to them that you are following the recommended amount of calories, I would think that they would be supportive of you.  Then they can help you by buying some inexpensive freeweights that you can use, you can go for walks or jogging.  Can you join a sports team at school or in your town?  Can you afford to take classes at the YMCA, or your local parks programs, or go to gymnastics, martial arts?  The Y usually isn't too expensive. 

There's probably a reason your parents don't want you to lose (not loose) weight...you don't need to.  Better get your mental health checked out before you dream of losing weight.  Geez!  You're 13!

Original Post by lg3060a:

There's probably a reason your parents don't want you to lose (not loose) weight...you don't need to.  Better get your mental health checked out before you dream of losing weight.  Geez!  You're 13!

That was NOT called for - if you had read her post correctly, she stated she DOES NOT want to lose weight.  She wants to tone up...big difference.    "

Once again, she's a smart girl.

Original Post by m910:

I don't want my mother or father to find out. But a couple of months ago I was into a yoga game on my DS is there any other kind of thing like that which does not make it seem like I am trying to loose weight to my parents?

I'm still unclear as to why it's a problem for your parents to find out.  Do you or another of your siblings have issues that makes this a delicate subject?  I'm a bit leary of giving advice to a 13 year old that goes counter to their parents wishes, especially when I know that it could be harmful depending on your history.

I actually think that gaining a few pounds would be ideal for you as it would put you right into a healthy bmi and gaining it as muscle would be perfect.  BTW, weight training while it does build muscle you also have to have a calorie surplus for most people which does result in a minor amount of fat gained with the muscle, but your overall percentage of fat will tend to decrease as your muscle mass increases..

TONING DOES NOT EXIST. ERASE THAT WORD FROM YOUR VOCABULARY. Ab exercises are NOT going to get rid of the flab. Especially non-weighted ab exercises like crunches and sit-ups (which don't even work your abs).

If you want to get lean and get rid of that flab you need to do a full body weight lifting routine with compound exercises.  A real one, not a sissy one, not one done in your bedroom lifting 5 pound db's. That means squats, lunges, deadlifts. Your parents need to know what your goal is. You never know, they might even help you.

I must give you kudos for wanting to lose fat, not weight. So many teens on here are into that I wanna lose weight crap and then they go about it all wrong. However, at a bmi of 18 I don't see where this "fat" is coming from. One bmi point below 18 is considered unhealthy.