It sucks being short

Nerdycurls

I did some thinking about how I've lost weight in the past and what I can do to improve on losing weight now. However, there was something that did stick out to me.

I wonder if being short has something to do with this-- the lowest weight I had was in the 120's and I was much, MUCH smaller back then compared to now. Even so, I still had some fat on my belly and back, and my waist still wasn't under 30 inches. Like many apple-shaped women, I have broad shoulders, a rather large ribcage, narrow hips, hardly any space between my lowest rib and pelvis, and have slimmer legs. At my lowest weight, I still looked chubby to an extent. Think "linebacker."

Sometimes I think being a shorter stature makes weight loss more difficult because I can't readily *see* the results of my labors. My waist takes forever to slim down and it's my waist I'm mostly focused on. It sucks because sometimes people comment to me about my short torso even when I don't say anything about my body! My torso is very compact and square. The women who are pear-shaped or have narrower waists and are taller probably have an easier time losing weight because they *see* their results faster than women with my shape do.

Still sucks...anyone else in this boat?

botanygeek

Try being a 6' tall woman built like a line backer.

Graelwyn75

Try being a 6' tall woman built like a line backer.

This. I will swap you. I always hated being what I consider tall. I am 5'10.

Nerdycurls

Try being a 6' tall woman built like a line backer.

When I see taller women with broad shoulders, I always think of the statuesque and beautiful Charlize Theron.

botanygeek

"Statuesque" is code for ****she'stall. Seriously, growing up I *hated* that term. I've totally accepted and own it now - and take it as a compliment. But I sure would like to have better adjectives for tall.

SLLRunner

Well, how tall are you? You make it sound like you're four feet or something.... :bigsmile:

I'm not real short, but I'm short enough to where people have called me petite. Okay, I have short legs, long waist, boobs, and I'm curvy...all this at 5 ft 4 inches.

The only reason people think I'm short is because of my really short legs.

BornxVillain

Honestly I can find beauty in all shapes - just embrace what you have and find what works best for it.
You can rock absolutely anything at any shape! Don't forget that. ;-)

einzweidrei

I've also seen shorter people have much smaller frames than I could EVER possibly have being a tall lady.

You have narrow hips, I have giant hips, what's better, really? It probably has less to do with you being short and more to do with where you just naturally gain/hold onto weight. Weight seems to melt off my upper body (I have a wide frame but I'm bony as anything) whereas my legs have plenty of jiggle and I have plenty of saddle bags to share if you want some.

BTW-Being tall doesn't mean you lose weight easier. You might (MIGHT!) see results faster, you might not. (And you can go over to the tall women subgroup to see tall women saying they can't see their weight loss.)

2essie

I sympathise with you OP. I am short - 5ft. I find it difficult to lose in the first place, but try being 63 years old too. Now that really sucks lol. However, I have lost almost 50 lbs so it can be done. Try lifting some weights to tone up more then maybe you will see a difference.

_errata_

Two things:

1) Tall women are sexy and beautiful (just as short women and everything else in between )
2) Shorter people will necessarily burn fewer calories throughout the day. Most BMR and calories calculators will ask for you height and weight because those are the two primary factors in determining how much you burn in a 24 hour period.

Sorry!

lemonsnowdrop

I'm 5'1, and at 140, I have some tummy and back fat to lose. Do I think I'd be slimmer if I were taller? Of course. My abdomen is incredibly short. But I can't change my height, so.

DP325i

Short is sexy. But then again I'm a 5'7 guy, so I'm short as well.... Embrace the your height! Love the body you're in, after all its the only one you get.

stanleypoobrick

Being short is tough for so many reasons! for example, a 5'3" person with a 28" waist looks much bigger than a 5'9" person with a 28" waist purely because of perspective (a square and a rectangle of the same width, basically). Plus, a short person has a lower BMR. My sister is only a few inches taller than me, but she could eat an extra mcdonalds burger worth of calories every day than I could and not put on a pound.

carlalovescake

It can suck being tall

As a six foot giant woman, I still have a short torso and stupid length legs >< I can rarely find clothes to fit in the leg without paying a fortune. Sadly although I have long legs , I am a pear and ALL the weight I carry is on them! Yay to hiding under maxi skirts and dresses if I can find any long enough!

I hit my head ..often... trying to hide or be invisible is impossible, and I constantly have to help people reach things off shelves lol No-one could ever call me petite and I once got mistaken for a man from behind :O I would give you a good 4 inches of extra height if I could! I also found that quite a few men that are taller than me, generally go for the petite women (protector instinct I guess and was told my height can be intimidating for smaller men lol). Luckily my Husband doesn't feel that way

However you can have my sympathy for having such a small calorie allowance with being shorter....

Catlady87

I'm 5ft 2 and currently maintaining at approx 121. I do find though that I've got a little pooch on my belly - it's just not flat and I have "child bearing" hips. Makes for so good hour glass figure though.
But yes I do understand where you're coming from.mi think if you want to get tie of those problem areas it's more about reducing hour % body fat than just eating at a deficit, which will require a lot more focus, effort and attention to exactly what you are eating

siqiniq

I'm 5'0" and don't mind it at all. After all, it's better to be short and shine than tall and cast a shadow!

zaidat

Try being a 6' tall woman built like a line backer.

Half an inch away from 6' myself.

lisalsd1

I think it's easier for people to notice if a short person gains just a few lbs...we just have less area for the weight to spread!

But having lost a significant amount of weight myself, I will tell you that once you do lose the weight...people see you as tiny! So we do have an advantage there. I think it's a bit of an optical illusion.

refuseresist

I'm under 5ft, I don't think I'd like being tall. Appreciate what you have :-)

hmg90

The fact that you are struggling to lose weight on your waist is because of your apple shape, not your height. There are plenty of short women who are hourglasses or pear shaped and there are plenty of taller women that are apples.

I'm 5"9 and simply because height is considered a masculine traits, I think shorter girls have it way easier looking feminine. A tall woman needs to keep her weight low in order to not be too "big" all over and appear masculine.

If you're an apple, your legs are probably naturally slim, and you'll always have a small butt. So even with fat on your stomach/waist, I assume you can wear slim cut trousers and look skinny.

Nerdycurls

If you're an apple, your legs are probably naturally slim, and you'll always have a small butt. So even with fat on your stomach/waist, I assume you can wear slim cut trousers and look skinny.

Ugh, but I hate that! My entire life all people do is comment on my "narrow hips" and then say how my upper body is soooo much bigger than my lower. I'd rather look more balanced.

It's like I'm built like a domino or a square. Very little room for all the weight to spread out, and I have to be slightly underweight to look thin.

hmg90

If you're an apple, your legs are probably naturally slim, and you'll always have a small butt. So even with fat on your stomach/waist, I assume you can wear slim cut trousers and look skinny.

Ugh, but I hate that! My entire life all people do is comment on my "narrow hips" and then say how my upper body is soooo much bigger than my lower. I'd rather look more balanced.

It's like I'm built like a domino or a square. Very little room for all the weight to spread out, and I have to be slightly underweight to look thin.

I have to be underweight to have skinny thighs, so everybody has their stuff

Accept your body shape, but make the most of it. Lots of squats and butt exercises can help you get a shapelier rear.

lemonsnowdrop

My problem is that I'm pretty built up top - broad shoulders, muscular neck and arms, but I have a really short torso and a flabby tummy, plus short stumpy legs, so nothing about me feels feminine.

Nerdycurls

My problem is that I'm pretty built up top - broad shoulders, muscular neck and arms, but I have a really short torso and a flabby tummy, plus short stumpy legs, so nothing about me feels feminine.

That's me, too! It's hard to feel feminine, even with big boobs.

If you're an apple, your legs are probably naturally slim, and you'll always have a small butt. So even with fat on your stomach/waist, I assume you can wear slim cut trousers and look skinny.

Ugh, but I hate that! My entire life all people do is comment on my "narrow hips" and then say how my upper body is soooo much bigger than my lower. I'd rather look more balanced.

It's like I'm built like a domino or a square. Very little room for all the weight to spread out, and I have to be slightly underweight to look thin.

I have to be underweight to have skinny thighs, so everybody has their stuff

Accept your body shape, but make the most of it. Lots of squats and butt exercises can help you get a shapelier rear.

Do squats and butt exercises really help? I've had trainers tell me they wouldn't do anything for me because genetics determines how you look.

LoosingMyLast15

I'm 5'0" and don't mind it at all. After all, it's better to be short and shine than tall and cast a shadow!

love this! i'm 4' 11-3/4" which makes you taller than me. to the OP i'm pear shaped and yes i do have a defined waist however i have a big ole butt and now muscular legs which makes buying pants a challenge. too big in the waist too tight around my *kitten*.

Serena272

Bump

Nerdycurls

I'm 5'0" and don't mind it at all. After all, it's better to be short and shine than tall and cast a shadow!

love this! i'm 4' 11-3/4" which makes you taller than me. to the OP i'm pear shaped and yes i do have a defined waist however i have a big ole butt and now muscular legs which makes buying pants a challenge. too big in the waist too tight around my *kitten*.

But you'd look soooo nice in dresses and skirts! I actually dislike wearing pants...darn muffin top and gut.

CookieEmporium

Everyone always complains about being short and I can completely understand why, because I live it! BUT, there are some advantages too...

Here are the reasons why I think it sucks being short (4'11"):

1. I can't reach a damn thing
2. My BMR is 1159
3. My BMI is overweight (25) if I reach 123.5 lbs, which I feel is not very much for an adult
4. I look proportionate at a size 0 and getting a little "chubby" at a size 2, which is ridiculous

Now, here are the awesome things about being short:

1. I can fit anywhere, including airplanes, beds, couches (I can stretch out on loveseat and sleep soundly)
2. Most people seems to think that I'm a good 10 years (or more) younger than I am, partially because I'm short
3. Kids clothes and shoes are cheaper and I can wear both!
4. All my guy friends who are 5'6" to 5'8" get an ego boost because they feel tall for once when they stand next to me. I always say, "happy to help your self-esteem out."

jlynnm70

I always say - "I'm not overweight, I'm under Tall!"

At 140# without knowing my height - you think that's pretty good - now realize I am 5 foot nothin! - ok - now I have better than 25# to lose! They only thing I can say about being short - is that I can notice it quickly when I gain or lose - there isn't much place for it to hide (gain) and when I lose it's noticable.

Good luck !

Nerdycurls

I always say - "I'm not overweight, I'm under Tall!"

At 140# without knowing my height - you think that's pretty good - now realize I am 5 foot nothin! - ok - now I have better than 25# to lose! They only thing I can say about being short - is that I can notice it quickly when I gain or lose - there isn't much place for it to hide (gain) and when I lose it's noticable.

Good luck !

Yeah there is hardly any space. I remember a friend of mine from high school gained 5 pounds over winter and lamented over how "overweight" she got and she never went beyond a size 6/7! She also has a gorgeous pear-shaped body and even does fitness modeling and body building! FIVE POUNDS! Then there's me with my 50. Ugh..