Can Anyone Get Lean?

parfia
parfia Posts: 184 Member
edited November 27 in Fitness and Exercise
Random I know - The ultimate goal is to get a more lean look.

I've always been big and spent most my life thinking that it was 'genetic' or 'how I was built'. I've now lost around 45lbs and as I get smaller, I'm realising that it was my lifestyle and not my genetics that contributed to my size!

If I continue to lose, it there anything stacked against me for getting a more lean look? (Katie Cassidy is my ultimate body goal! haha)

Replies

  • nordlead2005
    nordlead2005 Posts: 1,303 Member
    edited December 2015
    Yes, anyone can get lean. Some may have medical issues that make it harder than others, but technically there is nothing stopping anyone with enough effort.

    Your genetics may determine what you will look like when you are lean (not everyone will look like Katie Cassidy), but everyone can be lean.
  • parfia
    parfia Posts: 184 Member
    I appreciate that I'm no Katie Cassidy!! haha!! I just mean that sort of level of definition - not too much, not too little kind of thing :)
  • nordlead2005
    nordlead2005 Posts: 1,303 Member
    The only thing that is really stacked against people who were once overweight is the lose skin issue or stretch marks. Those that were always thin won't have the same issues. There are many examples in the success stories of people who were obese who now have muscle definition. I'm starting to develop some muscle definition and am impatiently waiting for more.
  • singingflutelady
    singingflutelady Posts: 8,736 Member
    I have never been above bmi 23 or pregnant and I have tons of stretch marks on my hips and thighs
  • piperdown44
    piperdown44 Posts: 958 Member
    Nothing stopping you beyond losing the appropriate amount of bodyfat to get the definition you want.
  • nordlead2005
    nordlead2005 Posts: 1,303 Member
    singingflutelady wrote: »
    I have never been above bmi 23 or pregnant and I have tons of stretch marks on my hips and thighs

    true, and some overweight people don't have stretch marks. Genetics and how fast you grow play a big part in this.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    I believe yes

    I've got a BMI of 24
    I've got a large frame
    I was curvy and hourglass, dropped 55lbs, did progressive resistance I'd now consider myself lean and hourglass (my BF estimates around 23%)
  • Sabine_Stroehm
    Sabine_Stroehm Posts: 19,263 Member
    piperdown44 wrote: »
    Nothing stopping you beyond losing the appropriate amount of bodyfat to get the definition you want.

    This. It takes quite a bit of work to lower body fat to that point, but if you want it, you'll do it.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    Yes, anyone can get lean; however, it takes strict logging, micro/macro adherence, and some form of structured lifting program. Also,at some point there is a trade off as to how lean you want to get vs keeping your sanity. I can get to about 12-13% body fat if I cut pretty hard, hit micros/macros, etc; however, for me to push down to 10% would take more hard work and diligence then I am willing to put in, and I really like to eat....
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    Yes and no. Anyone can get lean. Many people don't care to get lean or don't want to commit to what it takes to get as lean as others. That doesn't mean it's impossible, but it takes a lot of patience and sometimes a bit of sacrifice.

    You may not end up looking like Katie, but if you decide to stick to working at getting lean until you accomplish it (no matter how long it takes) you'll get there. Learn as much as you can along the way, it will make things easier.
  • ryry_
    ryry_ Posts: 4,966 Member
    parfia wrote: »
    Random I know - The ultimate goal is to get a more lean look.

    I've always been big and spent most my life thinking that it was 'genetic' or 'how I was built'. I've now lost around 45lbs and as I get smaller, I'm realising that it was my lifestyle and not my genetics that contributed to my size!

    If I continue to lose, it there anything stacked against me for getting a more lean look? (Katie Cassidy is my ultimate body goal! haha)

    I used to feel the same way as you OP. Spending almost all of my adolescense overweight, my whole life i was told I was just 'big boned' and a 'big boy' or any other number of things. Turns out i was over fat.

    After a consistent diet and workout plan turns out I had a six pack, some muscles and a pretty rocking body.

    The catch is it is alot of hard work and my lazy side and to a certain extent my mental attitude toward food does not lend itself to maintaining that figure. I'm still trying to get it back but its there.

    Calorie Deficit + Adequate Protein intake + Progressive Resistance Training Program + Cardio (Optional to the extent it helps you maintain a deficit) + Consistency over time is the general formula.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    anyone can get lean, but you also have to consider your body type...my wife is pretty lean, but she has a bigger athletic build...so while she is very lean, she could never have the body of Katie Cassidy because she just doesn't have that kind of build.
  • scolaris
    scolaris Posts: 2,145 Member
    Yes on lean...But how 'lean' looks can vary due to hip/waist ratio, limb bone lengths, rib cage girth, neck length, torso length, ab placement etc etc etc. Just look to be the leanest meanest version of your own rockin' and righteous self and you'll be fine!
  • rybo
    rybo Posts: 5,424 Member
    Yes & no depending on your definition of lean. Some people would require far too much "work" to get to a very low BF%, making it unrealistic. Others can get there with not too much trouble.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    rybo wrote: »
    Yes & no depending on your definition of lean. Some people would require far too much "work" to get to a very low BF%, making it unrealistic. Others can get there with not too much trouble.

    also this ^^^...

    I can say from my personal experience that I maintain very easily at around 180 and 12% BF...I have gone below that down to 10% and it is incredibly hard for me to maintain that and I have to be overly religious about my diet and exercise to do it and it's just not worth it to me...it's only a difference of about 5 Lbs or so but sheesh...
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    rybo wrote: »
    Yes & no depending on your definition of lean. Some people would require far too much "work" to get to a very low BF%, making it unrealistic. Others can get there with not too much trouble.

    also this ^^^...

    I can say from my personal experience that I maintain very easily at around 180 and 12% BF...I have gone below that down to 10% and it is incredibly hard for me to maintain that and I have to be overly religious about my diet and exercise to do it and it's just not worth it to me...it's only a difference of about 5 Lbs or so but sheesh...

    cosign

    I would rather hover around 14% because food and alcohol ...
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