u/Dazzling_Ad1121

I’m 146cm. I’ve been on a slight calorie deficit for a while now and i’ve been strength training for over a year in that deficit. But only recently changed my routine to something i found more effective. I’ve also noticed that my weight had increased which kinda scared me and clothes feel tighter around my tummy, ass and thighs. These are the places I retain fat the easiest so I’m unsure if i’ve made any progress or if i had just returned right back to the start of my weight loss because I’m currently back to my starting weight.. I’m told that i need to build core muscle if i want to get abs but I’m afraid that if i even eat at maintenance i’ll just gain back more weight..