@alcrow:
Hey guys, I would like to ask your opinion about something. I'm a skinny-fat guy and during the quarantine I started to exercise at home. I've been doing body weight exercises for 4 months now (and I'm quite proud of myself that I still haven't given up yet), but lately I began to wonder if there is any point keeping on doing it as I don't really see any changes in the mirror. I know that the diet plays a huge part and I'm trying my best, but I still have a long way to go in that department (especially when it comes to protein intake) as eating is more like a chore to me and I rarely feel hungry.
Anyway, I'm exercising 4-5 days a week 45-60 mins a day. I started out with full body workouts and after about two months I split it to arms/chest/back and abs/legs. I'm continously trying to challenge myself and do more and more reps and add more difficult exercises, and I feel like it has positive effects as I can do much more before I'm out of breath. So I feel like that even if I don't see the results in the mirror, I am getting stronger. Is this possible? Or am I just simply getting used to the exercises? Am I wasting my time if I can't keep a healthy or balanced diet?
Sorry for these silly questions, I just thought that maybe someone can help me out here.
First off, congratulations for using the quarantine to improve your body rather than letting yourself gain weight. I was just reading an article today about how busy tailors are in NYC letting out clothing for people who have gained 15 lb.
If you're doing body weight exercises, you are probably getting more toned but not building a lot of muscle bulk that would be easy to see. If you are looking in the mirror every day, it is difficult to discern incremental progress. You should take photos, take measurements of your arms, legs, chest, stomach, etc., and weigh yourself to be able to judge your progress over time. You may have to lift weights to get the results you want.
However, don't get discouraged because your progress is concretely evident in your increased endurance and ability to do more strenuous exercises.
Diet is very important in losing fat, more important than exercise. You can eat a healthy, balanced diet if you learn about nutrition and find the foods that you enjoy eating. You may not need as much protein as you think you do. Focusing on reducing carbs and especially sucrose and fructose (other than in fresh, whole fruit) may help you lose fat.
There are active subreddits on Reddit that can help you. Start with r/Fitness but there might be a more appropriate subreddit.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Fitness/