Am I skinny fat?

Thomaslol
Thomaslol Posts: 42
in Health and Weight Loss
Feeling a bit down today as feel really fat.

I look thin in clothes but that's it. I have lots of fat around my belly, man boobs etc. In clothes it gives the impression that I am toned, have pecs etc, but I don't...far from it.

Any suggestions?

Here's some pictures:

pic1.jpg

pic2.jpg

pic3.jpg

pic4.jpg
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Replies

  • 4legsRbetterthan2
    4legsRbetterthan2 Posts: 19,590 MFP Moderator
    cant see the pics but probably need to start lifting to get the results you want
  • Beckilovespizza
    Beckilovespizza Posts: 334 Member
    Nice pants ;) I think u look great, not skinny fat but with some strength work I am sure u will see the results u want and it should help u feel better within yourself. Ps I can't see any moobs!
  • mr_mitch
    mr_mitch Posts: 176 Member
    Hi mate,

    I don't think you're skinny fat.

    Building up some muscle would probably help you feel better about yourself.

    I'm in a similar position myself, you're a bit leaner than I am, you seem to have more muscle which is a good thing.

    Weight lifting is what we need, but I'm nervous of the gym so I'm gonna try to build up strength at home first.

    Are you doing any weights?
  • Thomaslol
    Thomaslol Posts: 42
    No not doing weights although I do T25 which does incorporate some dumbbells.

    I want to start doing weights, but I don't like the gym and have done cardio for so long.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    No not doing weights although I do T25 which does incorporate some dumbbells.

    I want to start doing weights, but I don't like the gym and have done cardio for so long.

    You don't need to give up cardio or go to a gym to do weights if you have the room for some free weights at home. You could also get good results from bodyweight strength exercises (pushups, tricep dips, pull ups (if you have a bar), squats, lunges, etc.) There are many good bodyweight routines available online.
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    No.

    But I'd also suggest weight lifting. Why don't you like the gym?
  • mr_mitch
    mr_mitch Posts: 176 Member
    I read your previous thread mate and you said you might have an issue with body image.

    Did you see anyone about that, or get it under control?

    I've had a similar thing, thought I was fat, I just stopped eating. It left me depressed and ended up in counselling.

    So maybe if this is something that's affecting you mentally it would really help to address that issue...

    (I hope you don't mind me saying)
  • Thomaslol
    Thomaslol Posts: 42
    I read your previous thread mate and you said you might have an issue with body image.

    Did you see anyone about that, or get it under control?

    I've had a similar thing, thought I was fat, I just stopped eating. It left me depressed and ended up in counselling.

    So maybe if this is something that's affecting you mentally it would really help to address that issue...

    (I hope you don't mind me saying)

    No I haven't really got it under control. Don't know how to other than to try and change my body. I suppose that's all I can do really.
  • Thomaslol
    Thomaslol Posts: 42
    No not doing weights although I do T25 which does incorporate some dumbbells.

    I want to start doing weights, but I don't like the gym and have done cardio for so long.

    You don't need to give up cardio or go to a gym to do weights if you have the room for some free weights at home. You could also get good results from bodyweight strength exercises (pushups, tricep dips, pull ups (if you have a bar), squats, lunges, etc.) There are many good bodyweight routines available online.

    Yeah I do quite a bit of strength exercises in T25. I just need to try and sort my eating out.
  • Thomaslol
    Thomaslol Posts: 42
    No.

    But I'd also suggest weight lifting. Why don't you like the gym?

    Confidence I suppose.
  • ravenmiss
    ravenmiss Posts: 384 Member
    I read your previous thread mate and you said you might have an issue with body image.

    Did you see anyone about that, or get it under control?

    I've had a similar thing, thought I was fat, I just stopped eating. It left me depressed and ended up in counselling.

    So maybe if this is something that's affecting you mentally it would really help to address that issue...

    (I hope you don't mind me saying)

    No I haven't really got it under control. Don't know how to other than to try and change my body. I suppose that's all I can do really.

    Another option would be to seek medical advice about the problems you have with body image.
  • karlospiklington
    karlospiklington Posts: 143 Member
    Ok firstly, you are not fat. As a totally impartial observer looking at your pics you do not look overweight at all. You might be feeling fat right now but you don't look it. Most people would be happy with your body! But if you're not happy and want to feel better then, as many other people have suggested, maybe try doing some strength training to improve the appearance of your muscles or some cardio workouts. You don't have to go to the gym, I hate gyms, I have lost just over 3 stone by doing a variety of youtube workouts, walking and lifting weights at home.

    At the end of the day, if you don't like yourself then you won't like your body no matter how much you try and change it. Try to focus on the bits you like and then it won't seem so overwhelmingly negative when you look in the mirror.

    I also prescribe the Rocky theme tune at least once a day.
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    No.

    But I'd also suggest weight lifting. Why don't you like the gym?

    Confidence I suppose.

    I'm sure it can be intimidating. But remember all those muscular guys started somewhere too. They weren't born with all those muscles. You've got to start somewhere.

    I had a male training partner for a while. He was a 25 year old life long nerd who had never been even remotely athletic. He started with less weights than I was doing. By the end of 12 weeks of strong lifts he was lifting WAY more than me. Almost a 200lbs squat (when he had started at 65lbs), and 150lbs bench (again starting at 65lbs). He didn't gain much visible muscle though, which was a function of his diet.

    But if you'd rather, I've heard good things about "You are Your Own Gym" and "Convict Conditioning". These are both body weight programs you can do at home.
  • mr_mitch
    mr_mitch Posts: 176 Member
    I read your previous thread mate and you said you might have an issue with body image.

    Did you see anyone about that, or get it under control?

    I've had a similar thing, thought I was fat, I just stopped eating. It left me depressed and ended up in counselling.

    So maybe if this is something that's affecting you mentally it would really help to address that issue...

    (I hope you don't mind me saying)

    No I haven't really got it under control. Don't know how to other than to try and change my body. I suppose that's all I can do really.

    Another option would be to seek medical advice about the problems you have with body image.

    Yeah... Although I know this is really not an easy thing to do.

    If you want to, please feel free to friend me or inbox me. As I have a little bit of experience with stuff like this, I'll give what advice I can.
  • mr_mitch
    mr_mitch Posts: 176 Member
    No.

    But I'd also suggest weight lifting. Why don't you like the gym?

    Confidence I suppose.

    I'm sure it can be intimidating. But remember all those muscular guys started somewhere too. They weren't born with all those muscles. You've got to start somewhere.

    I had a male training partner for a while. He was a 25 year old life long nerd who had never been even remotely athletic. He started with less weights than I was doing. By the end of 12 weeks of strong lifts he was lifting WAY more than me. Almost a 200lbs squat (when he had started at 65lbs), and 150lbs bench (again starting at 65lbs). He didn't gain much visible muscle though, which was a function of his diet.

    But if you'd rather, I've heard good things about "You are Your Own Gym" and "Convict Conditioning". These are both body weight programs you can do at home.

    And me I'm a nerdy geeky I.T guy who has never been remotely athletic.

    Because of this, I have just started doing you are your own gym, which gets great reviews, so I hope it can live up to its reputation!

    Maybe you should try out something like this OP, rather than as much cardio.
  • DanaDark
    DanaDark Posts: 2,187 Member
    As others have mentioned, you are not skinny fat. You could use some extra muscle on your body to give the physique you are looking for though.

    Body image and self confidence issues are definitely things that can harm our progress. I know. But, getting a second opinion such as you just did, is a great way to counter that. If you know you have a body image problem, a great way to assess progress is to simply have others assess it for you, such as on MFP.

    If you are a bit nervous about joining a gym, then you can use various other things, such as your own body weight. Push ups, sit ups, pull ups (and variations on them) are terrific areas to start with.

    One thing though... to build muscle, you'll be needing a calorie surplus. So, while you do exercises using your body weight, eat at maintenance. When you have the ability to add in physical weights, then go for a slight surplus.
  • Thomaslol
    Thomaslol Posts: 42
    Thanks everyone.

    Am I just blind then because I see something completely different with my body?

    I just see so much fat, especially in my mid-section which I really don't like.

    The 'You Are Your Own Gym' etc, can you buy them on disc? I have looked on YouTube, but there isn't a great deal. I am in the UK.

    Thanks.
  • lindsey1979
    lindsey1979 Posts: 2,395 Member
    To me, you're not skinny fat, you're just skinny. 168 lbs at 6'1" is pretty lean to me. You look like the type of body who is a good cyclist or marathoner. If you're looking for more bulk, start lifting heavy. I know you said that the gym was intimidating, but trust me, no one cares. That's one of the nice things about getting older --- you realize that no one cares and then you stop worrying about what others think too.

    But, if you'd rather avoid the gym, look into starting your own gym at home. Get a squat rack, olympic bar and some plates. You can do great compound lifts with that equipment alone and if you look for used deals on places like craigslist, you can get it for a few hundred dollars or less -- less than most year's gym memberships. Grab Starting Strength 3x5 (my favorite -- especially for discussing form), Stronglifts, etc. Or throw in some hill sprints -- those really help to get you ripped.
  • lindsey1979
    lindsey1979 Posts: 2,395 Member
    Thanks everyone.

    Am I just blind then because I see something completely different with my body?

    I just see so much fat, especially in my mid-section which I really don't like.

    The 'You Are Your Own Gym' etc, can you buy them on disc? I have looked on YouTube, but there isn't a great deal. I am in the UK.

    Thanks.

    That's not fat, dude. That's skin.
  • Thomaslol
    Thomaslol Posts: 42
    Thanks everyone.

    Am I just blind then because I see something completely different with my body?

    I just see so much fat, especially in my mid-section which I really don't like.

    The 'You Are Your Own Gym' etc, can you buy them on disc? I have looked on YouTube, but there isn't a great deal. I am in the UK.

    Thanks.

    That's not fat, dude. That's skin.

    It's fat. I can literally grab a handful.
  • mr_mitch
    mr_mitch Posts: 176 Member
    Thanks everyone.

    Am I just blind then because I see something completely different with my body?

    I just see so much fat, especially in my mid-section which I really don't like.

    The 'You Are Your Own Gym' etc, can you buy them on disc? I have looked on YouTube, but there isn't a great deal. I am in the UK.

    Thanks.

    Yes. I think you are. We all are to a degree. But you seem to be seeing fat that just isn't there. Most people would agree that you're quite thin.

    You can buy them online. I bought you are your own gym last night.. You can order the DVD set off Amazon. For £18


    Or you can just download / stream them all from http://s23.postimg.org/ezlxh0rwb/front.jpg

    That costs about £12 (I used PayPal)
  • Aaron_K123
    Aaron_K123 Posts: 7,122 Member
    To me you just look skinny. If you don't like your physique because you lack defined musculature it is probably just that you don't have very much muscle, ie your lean mass is quite low. In that case you should probably eat above your maintenance level and lift heavy to try to gain weight in the form of muscle.

    You are not "fat" in any way though as far as I can tell. Perhaps a bit scrawny and I don't mean that as an insult just as a blunt observation, I too am a bit scrawny but I actually do have a bit of a gut to lose before I try to put on muscle. To my eyes you don't have a gut to lose so time to start eating more and lifting heavy.
  • JassiBear
    JassiBear Posts: 268 Member
    Hmm yes you are skinny fat... but really skinny fat is just code speak for not toned... Just do some weight training and tighten everything up because your actually body fat is probably in a healthy range percentage wise just going from looks.
  • williams969
    williams969 Posts: 2,528 Member

    And me I'm a nerdy geeky I.T guy who has never been remotely athletic.

    Because of this, I have just started doing you are your own gym, which gets great reviews, so I hope it can live up to its reputation!

    Maybe you should try out something like this OP, rather than as much cardio.

    Nerdy, geeky math girl here, lol! I second the YAYOG program. The app is all you'll pretty much need ($3USD, super inexpensive), plus some furniture around your house (chair, table, door, and a towel). It progresses through three 10-week programs (Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced). Best $3 spent, ever.

    I don't have the confidence (not yet) to enter the gym at this point. An organized, progressive bodyweight program will surely net you some gains in strength. For you, I'm no pro at guessing at pics, but I'd say you're at a very reasonably slender weight and a respectively lower body fat %. Eat at maintenance (or slightly above, focusing on lots of protein and good carbs for fuel), and you've got a fighting chance at maintaining or even building a bit of muscle sticking with a progressive strength training program.
  • mr_mitch
    mr_mitch Posts: 176 Member
    Thanks everyone.

    Am I just blind then because I see something completely different with my body?

    I just see so much fat, especially in my mid-section which I really don't like.

    The 'You Are Your Own Gym' etc, can you buy them on disc? I have looked on YouTube, but there isn't a great deal. I am in the UK.

    Thanks.

    That's not fat, dude. That's skin.

    It's fat. I can literally grab a handful.

    Its normal tho.

    You need some body fat to live. You just don't need loads. And you don't have loads. You're already quite lean
  • kirkor
    kirkor Posts: 2,530 Member
    Yes you are skinnyfat. Please lift some weights. :O
  • BigGuy47
    BigGuy47 Posts: 1,768 Member
    Yes you are skinnyfat. Please lift some weights. :O
    And get busy eating more. You're not going to add mass without enough calories.
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    Thanks everyone.

    Am I just blind then because I see something completely different with my body?

    I just see so much fat, especially in my mid-section which I really don't like.

    The 'You Are Your Own Gym' etc, can you buy them on disc? I have looked on YouTube, but there isn't a great deal. I am in the UK.

    Thanks.

    That's not fat, dude. That's skin.

    It's fat. I can literally grab a handful.

    It's just a little bit of fat though. No, you aren't 10% body fat, probably more like 14%. But to get any leaner at this point would NOT be an improvement because your muscles are too small.
  • mr_mitch
    mr_mitch Posts: 176 Member

    And me I'm a nerdy geeky I.T guy who has never been remotely athletic.

    Because of this, I have just started doing you are your own gym, which gets great reviews, so I hope it can live up to its reputation!

    Maybe you should try out something like this OP, rather than as much cardio.

    Nerdy, geeky math girl here, lol! I second the YAYOG program. The app is all you'll pretty much need ($3USD, super inexpensive), plus some furniture around your house (chair, table, door, and a towel). It progresses through three 10-week programs (Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced). Best $3 spent, ever.

    I don't have the confidence (not yet) to enter the gym at this point. An organized, progressive bodyweight program will surely net you some gains in strength. For you, I'm no pro at guessing at pics, but I'd say you're at a very reasonably slender weight and a respectively lower body fat %. Eat at maintenance (or slightly above, focusing on lots of protein and good carbs for fuel), and you've got a fighting chance at maintaining or even building a bit of muscle sticking with a progressive strength training program.

    Hi I don't know if you intended this message for me or the op but its good to hear that its working for you.

    How long have you been on it? Does it make you feel fitter / stronger?

    I have the DVD not the app but I'm guessing its all the same stuff. I only got it today so just done exercise 1, lol
  • Thomaslol
    Thomaslol Posts: 42

    And me I'm a nerdy geeky I.T guy who has never been remotely athletic.

    Because of this, I have just started doing you are your own gym, which gets great reviews, so I hope it can live up to its reputation!

    Maybe you should try out something like this OP, rather than as much cardio.

    Nerdy, geeky math girl here, lol! I second the YAYOG program. The app is all you'll pretty much need ($3USD, super inexpensive), plus some furniture around your house (chair, table, door, and a towel). It progresses through three 10-week programs (Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced). Best $3 spent, ever.

    I don't have the confidence (not yet) to enter the gym at this point. An organized, progressive bodyweight program will surely net you some gains in strength. For you, I'm no pro at guessing at pics, but I'd say you're at a very reasonably slender weight and a respectively lower body fat %. Eat at maintenance (or slightly above, focusing on lots of protein and good carbs for fuel), and you've got a fighting chance at maintaining or even building a bit of muscle sticking with a progressive strength training program.

    Hi I don't know if you intended this message for me or the op but its good to hear that its working for you.

    How long have you been on it? Does it make you feel fitter / stronger?

    I have the DVD not the app but I'm guessing its all the same stuff. I only got it today so just done exercise 1, lol

    I can only see the book of 'You Are Your Own Gym' and I've downloaded that for free.

    The DVD is on Amazon which I might get at some point but it is £18.

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