How to make my hips less noticeable?

JTennis1995

I'm 19 years old and I've lost 40 pounds since spring of 2014, and am now at 156 (I'm 6'1"). I realize that I probably look too thin and not muscular enough, but what really gets me above all is my hip size. It gives the illusion that I'm bigger than I am, especially from the back. They look like love handles at some point, even though that's actually all bone. I'm so incredibly jealous of guys who have a straight line from their collarbone to the bottom of their hips, or a tapered/narrowing effect. It's by far my most self-conscious feature. My stomach is pretty flat so there's not much I can do in that regard. What can I do to help this out? Thank you.

yesimpson

I actually think that shape is exaggerated by you being very slim.

I would think that gaining a little weight and maybe increasing the amount of muscle you carry may actually make you feel better about your body - but I don't see anything horrible about what you currently look like. I don't think you look big or not masculine or anything like that, but of course what matters is what you perceive.

aledba

You have a very thin, high waist and quite a long torso ; your shoulders aren't that wide so it looks deceiving to you. Your hips are covered by your shorts in the pic, so I'm not sure you're identifying the correct area. It's genetics and there's nothing wrong with how you look. I think you're quite fit. Have you done any weightlifting?

LULU4178

You look terrific. Congratulations on your weight loss. I do not see any hips. I think it is leftover thinking from when you were heavier. How about going to a store and trying on pants/clothes in your new size? Ask a sales person to help you pick a cut/style if you want objective advice. Even if you don't buy them, at least you may see yourself differently. If you want to see hips, I will send you a picture of mine (kidding!). I'm a 50 year old woman so I know about hips and you don't have any!

tincanonastring

I think you need to gain some lean muscle mass to see how that changes your look. Some lats will make you look broader at the top and create a more tapered look. Same thing with some pecs. Abs will create a base for the top to taper into.

Congrats on the 40lbs, too!

CasperNaegle

If you get on a weightlifting program and focus on building muscle you will get that narrowing effect. As your shoulders and Lats gain muscle you will get it.

jemhh

I am not seeing anything even remotely resembling love handles from the front and I can't imagine I'd see them from the back either.

I will echo the suggestion to get on a solid lifting program, eat above maintenance, and build muscles. When you talk about a line from the collarbone to hips, I think you are talking about the center line down between the pecs and through the middle of a 6-pack. You need to build muscle to get that.

erimethia_fekre

Weight training and time. Also, shirts work

shrinkingletters

Nothing wrong with being hippy. That being said, you aren't that hippy.

skeo

First and foremost, congratulations on losing 40lbs!
I will also advise a good weight lifting program, and to build some mass in your shoulders/lateral and overall upperbody to give you that tapered look that you speak of.

kami3006

Sounds like you did the cut. Now you need to do the bulk.

JTennis1995

kami3006 wrote: »

Sounds like you did the cut. Now you need to do the bulk.

Will I have a less flat stomach as a result? I'm worried about the number on the scale going up again but I need to remember it would probably be mostly muscle.

kami3006

JTennis1995 wrote: »

kami3006 wrote: »

Sounds like you did the cut. Now you need to do the bulk.

Will I have a less flat stomach as a result? I'm worried about the number on the scale going up again but I need to remember it would probably be mostly muscle.

That depends on your calorie surplus and your training. You will put on some fat with muscle but it can be minimized with a small surplus. Regardless, you'll be much happier with your results based on what you seem to want. Yes, the scale will go up with muscle; you just have to resign to that and start focusing on measurements and photographs. At this point the scale is the least you need to worry about for keeping track.

zoeysasha37

tincanonastring wrote: »

I think you need to gain some lean muscle mass to see how that changes your look. Some lats will make you look broader at the top and create a more tapered look. Same thing with some pecs. Abs will create a base for the top to taper into.

Congrats on the 40lbs, too!

I agree

257_Lag

Sorted!



Congratulations on your loss!

rileyes

Add rotational moves to your training. You can use a resistance band, cable or medicine ball. I add these and other accessories to my StrongLifts 5x5 to keep things interesting. But you can achieve the shape you want just through compound lifts.

JTennis1995

257_Lag wrote: »

Sorted!

Congratulations on your loss!

If only, my friend.

mcpostelle

Bulk up your oblique abs and your upper body/chest and that will make your hips less noticeable. But, honestly, you look damn fine, if I say so myself.

piperdown44

Man, at 19 you're in the prime muscle building time of your life!
If you hit the big compounds like, OHP, back rows, bench press, squats and deadlifts (on a slight surplus, nothing crazy) you'll grow.
What building your upper body will do will give you that great taper from shoulders down to hips. Heck a few months of solid lifting and you'll see a large difference.
I'd also suggest taking some pics to compare every month. Sometimes you don't "see" a difference because you always "see" yourself daily. Those pics make a world of difference.
Check out SL 5x5 if you're inclined. Good solid beginning lifting program.

corgicake

Upper body work. If there are reasons why upper body work can or will not get done, bulk up your thighs.

JTennis1995

Thank you so much everyone.