Skinny guy with a belly

[imak179]

I've gone from 145lbs @ 8% BF to 167lbs @ 12%BF. That comes out to about 14lbs muscle and 8lbs of fat (ignoring water weight.) I have no problem with the extra body fat as I clearly needed some. Problem is that most of the fat seems to be in my waist area. I don't know why its concentrated there. Is that normal? Either way, how can I lose the belly while still at a caloric surplus? Less fats? less carbs? more cardio?

[Dastardly]

If you are fat this hints at low test/high cortisol or simply bad genetics.

You have to be diligent in your diet. Dont consume vast amounts of random carbs and fat. Focus on getting a decent amount of protein.

But 12% BF is not fat at all. I am something in the region of 24% and I would not call myself fat at all.

[tzanghi]

I've gone from 145lbs @ 8% BF to 167lbs @ 12%BF. That comes out to about 14lbs muscle and 8lbs of fat (ignoring water weight.) I have no problem with the extra body fat as I clearly needed some. Problem is that most of the fat seems to be in my waist area. I don't know why its concentrated there. Is that normal? Either way, how can I lose the belly while still at a caloric surplus? Less fats? less carbs? more cardio?

You can't really lose fat in a caloric surplus at 12%. You can either lose the weight and thus fat or just not care about it, but you can't lose the fat and gain muscle at 12%.

[Carlos Daniel]

12% bf does not have a whole lot of fat in the waist, much less a belly.

[MattJ.D.]

^^

numbers are skewed or you perception of fat is skewed OP

[LeonidasfromSparta]

At 12% your abs contour should be visible, while being relaxed. So you shouldn't have a belly. How did you measure your bf%?

[tzanghi]

I think ab visibility depends somewhat upon genetics. For instance, I'm 6' 170 and have a visible 4-pack with a small strap of belly and medium strap of lower back fat. I used to be 158, and still only had a visible 4-pack with the same areas of fat. For some reason, these areas just don't disappear no matter what my weight is. If he just has genetics that put fat there as he says, he might be more defined in other areas at 12%.

[Mr.City]

How do you lose the belly at 12% body fat? C'mon world

[Jamie J. Skibicki]

I question the number as well; 12% BF is low.

[LeonidasfromSparta]

I think ab visibility depends somewhat upon genetics. For instance, I'm 6' 170 and have a visible 4-pack with a small strap of belly and medium strap of lower back fat. I used to be 158, and still only had a visible 4-pack with the same areas of fat. For some reason, these areas just don't disappear no matter what my weight is. If he just has genetics that put fat there as he says, he might be more defined in other areas at 12%.

Man generally have most of the fat stored at the belly. Some might have a more spread distribution, but still if abs are visible while being relaxed, you're probably less than 12% of bf.