How come my back looks fat and my belly is flat?

EatWholeFoods

I am 5'1" and weight 119 lbs. My front looks toned and small and my back of my shoulders looks like a teenage boy or something like the shoulder bones don't really stick out and my whole back looks like a guy to me....I have a skinny lower back and flat stomach, but my shoulder area looks big. I am not sure what to do.

The past year, I avoided push ups and was only doing some yoga and lifting light 8 lb. weights for my triceps (which have not shrunk) and my biceps which got bigger but look good. My front of my arms look very toned, but triceps look fat to me.

My biggest questions are: 1. Is it possible that my 20% protein portion of my diet is making me bulk up (I eat 40-45% carbs and 35% fat)?

2. Do I need to lift more weights for my back and shoulder muscles so they lose fat or tone or shrink or will lifting more weights for my back and shoulder presses just make me bulk up or stay big back there?

3. Do I need to lose more weight then because I feel I am already small, but don't know how to target my back.

ily_em

I'm not sure I get your problem... maybe pics will help? If you have a small waist then of course your shoulders will look bigger.

LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo

You need to lower your overall body fat percentage to lose those flabs that you can achieve thru a calorie deficit. The reason why your back looks fat is because you still have some layer of fat there to lose but push-ups won't make it look big. To answer your question:

1. Is it possible that my 20% protein portion of my diet is making me bulk up (I eat 40-45% carbs and 35% fat)?

NO.. and 20% protein is actually quite low. You need to eat in calorie surplus to build muscle but even then still its very difficult to gain muscle. Average women can at best gain 0.25 lbs. of muscle in a month.

2. Do I need to lift more weights for my back and shoulder muscles so they lose fat or tone or shrink or will lifting more weights for my back and shoulder presses just make me bulk up or stay big back there?

YES.. and don't worry about bulking up. You simply won't be especially on a calorie deficit. Also don't be afraid of lifting heavier than 8lbs. & especially push-ups. In fact push-ups is one of the best compound exercises that targets multiple muscles, not just your triceps. You need to eat on a surplus to gain muscle/fat.

3. Do I need to lose more weight then because I feel I am already small, but don't know how to target my back.

NOT NECESSARILY unless you have a small frame. I'm 5'2 & 120lbs. but I already look thin with it because I'm medium framed & therefore couldn't get lower than 118.

fteale

It sounds like you are just broad shouldered. People have different back sizes.

EatWholeFoods

I can't get the codes or html to work in order to post it..they are the ones photobucket gave me..

EatWholeFoods

It won't show the pic on the thread...I feel like a noob haha

EatWholeFoods

Ahh the forum isn't posting it..here is a link http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc326/jzorviolinist/fitness pal/IMAG07291.jpg

BerryH

Here is the picture of the back of me....

Change both IMG to lower case.

EatWholeFoods

my back looked different before...thanks everyone for the input...so I shouldn't be afraid to eat a lot of protein is what I found from your answers.

EatWholeFoods

Oh well...I tried all sorts of ways to write it and lower cased and it won't post my pic

JPal5

nevermind..

TheFunBun

Yeah, looks like it's just your small waist and nice broad shoulders

...Weiiiird with your photo not posting. It's still there, so no clue why it's doing that!

AtticusFinch

I'd say "fat back" is in your imagination, OP. From that picture angle you do appear to have broad shoulders, but your back looks proportionate. Stop worrying about it, it looks great