Hi, I'm new here and could use some input :) For context, I'm 20, East Asian, in school and working (which makes life a bit hectic) but I really want to lose the last bit of fat. I used to be skinny fat, but through consistent exercise and eating healthier over the past 2 years, have gotten more lean. I exercise 3-5 times a week, which usually consists of 20-30 minutes of cardio (jump rope, elliptical if I'm at the gym) and then another 30 minutes of body weight exercises (sometimes add resistance bands). Lately have also been trying to work on upper body strength and started with some light weights, but don't lift.
Right now, I'm around a 26-27 in pants but just can't quite seem to shake the last bit of fat on the lower abs. When I flex, there is visible ab definition (upper abs and obliques) and I'm honestly happy with the way my waist looks from the front. But whenever I see myself from the side, I can't help but notice that I still have a bit of a pouch.
I weigh around 120-130 (don't weigh myself anymore so this is an estimate) and have been trying to drop the last few pounds to shed the belly fat, but in the last month, I have developed the most INSANE hunger. I have to eat around 1000 calories by the time it's noon in order to be able to go about my day (and I wake up at 9:30), otherwise all I can think about is food and can't focus on studying/work. This hunger persists throughout the day - I pretty much have to eat something every few hours and it has made me super irritable.
I've tried volume eating but this has made me horribly bloated, to the point where I feel like I don't even know how I really look anymore :( Prior to this month, I would be able to get by with around 1500-1600 calories, which is what I assume is a 500 calorie deficit for me based on TDEE calculators.
I want to keep a healthy mindset and lose fat sustainably. But at the same time, I'm wondering if this is me plateauing and is my body's way of telling me that it might not be feasible in the longterm to have a flat stomach. Is it normal to have a bit of a pooch as a woman, even if you work out, or am I doing something wrong?
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