I Want to lose inches without losing weight-help:(

[angelpaws]

Hi everyone.
Im a good deal underweight, but fluffy and not compact. I want to stay the same weight but Im interested in losing inches on my body (mainly lower body but I know you cant spot reduce) and replacing fat with muscle.
The thing is, im not sure how to do it at the same time.
I know cardio burns fat and strength training builds muscle (which then burns fat too) but ive heard that you cant do them at the same time. That makes sense to me since one takes a calorie deficet and the other takes a surplus.
But some of the advice that ive read on bodybuilding sites and fitness sites says that you can indeed build muscle while in a calorie deficit.
And also, many dieters lose inches and have looser clothing but the scale doesnt change or goes up a little.
I want to decrease body fat and size while at the same time maintain my weight at around the same level. How can I do this? I would really love it if someone could set up a program or something for me or tell me how to modify my current program.

I walk 3x's a week for 8.6 miles each time. I go at a pace of around 16 minutes per mile. (so about 2 hours 20 minutes of walking each session).
And then I do random strength exercises throughout the day. Pushups, dumbell curls with 8 pound weights, bench press using the bar, lifting dumbell overhead,.
Anyway I really hate my lower body. My thighs and above the knee is just fat and gross. So I dont focus my weight training on this area for fear that it will get bigger. Sometimes I do leg extensions and the opposite (where you lay on your back and reverse curl).
I am keeping my calories at maintainence level of 1500. I figure the walking helps to lose fat and give a deficit but can I build muscle too? I eat mostly carbs and very little fat but now im thinking about adding in more fat and protein and reducing carbs. Do carbs and sugar make some women more prone to thigh fat?
Please help me and give advice. Id really appreciate it.

[MAURER]

i would try doing one thingat a time, first, just lose weight to get the more tones weight. then, build up to the size you want to get to by lifting heavy and upping the calories. if you're lifting while upping the calories, you're not going to gain flab, but quality muscle.

Add weight training (even for your thighs) as the extra muscle will help your metabolism rise. I wouldn't do just "random" exercises, either. Make a schedule/workout and stick to it.

How long have you been walking? Has it changed your body composition any? If not, then maybe you should up the intensity a bit, providing there are no physical limitations you need to worry about.

Adding more fats and protein sounds like a good idea, too!

[Sara]

Hi everyone! what would be the best carb/fat ratio per meal to lose BF/ inches and lose all the water weight?

[ajarvis]

It is possible to build muscle and lose fat. That's why when you strength train and run, or do another form of cardio, your body weight will stay the same but your body composition will change. For example losing inches but not weight. As ironman said you should do exercises for your thighs as well as your whole body. Your legs won't neccessarily get bigger unless you train them too. If you're still cautious about doing weight training too much try just one day a week, but a full body workout that hits every major muscle group and do cardio the other days.

[dana82]

Originally Posted by ajarvis

. Your legs won't neccessarily get bigger unless you train them too. If you're still cautious about doing weight training too much try just one day a week, but a full body workout that hits every major muscle group and do cardio the other days.

I was just curious what is considered training them? because I recently added quite a few (new for me) leg exercises...and I def dont' want them to get bigger

[ajarvis]

I meant with weights because a lot of women are afraid of the same thing. I train my legs with squats, lunges, and deadlifts. They are more muscular but not bigger!