Ridiculously disproportionate :/

xxMyWeighxx
xxMyWeighxx Posts: 91
in Health and Weight Loss
My scale says that I weigh 117 lbs, but I have a 30 inch waistline. How is this even possible???! I've looked up several people that are my height and weight, and it looks like I should have a 22-24 inch waistline at the most. I'm trying to tone and eat healthier, but I've been stuck with a huge waistline regardless. I eat nothing but protein (I'm doing the Atkin's diet) and drink unsweetened tea and water all day - mostly water).
Why is my body so HUGE? :/

Replies

  • belizsera
    belizsera Posts: 82 Member
    Are you working out at all? Diet only goes so far, exercise typically gives you the body you desire. You are already
    at great weight, now throw some yoga, pilates, and core training into the mix and see how quickly your body develops some shape. My ideal weight is 150/160 because I have a muscular frame and curves so anything under that makes me look crazy. Big muscle booty n boobs with stick legs not good. My waist when I am "in shape" is usually 32 inches, hips 42 inches. I get it that way by serious core training, kettlebells/ weights, yoga and kickboxing.

    :-)
  • xxMyWeighxx
    xxMyWeighxx Posts: 91
    I do at least 30 minutes of cardio, ab workouts, pushups, and resistance training. Sometimes I do zumba for 15 minutes. I have ankle weights and wrist weights (both about 2.5 pounds) that I use during all of it. I mix things up as well. I'm not doing the same exercises every day.
  • zombie_porno
    zombie_porno Posts: 199 Member
    Not trying to be a jerk but are you sure you're measuring your REAL waist? I've noticed a lot of people think their waist is at their belly button...
  • xxMyWeighxx
    xxMyWeighxx Posts: 91
    I am measuring at both my belly button and around my ribcage. I've looked that up as well and know that I have to measure at the smallest part. That is the part that is 30 inches. My stomach around my belly button is 33 inches :,(
  • PikaKnight
    PikaKnight Posts: 34,971 Member
    Maybe try incorporating more strength training - including heavy lifting.
  • onyxgirl17
    onyxgirl17 Posts: 1,722 Member
    May I ask how tall you are?
  • xxMyWeighxx
    xxMyWeighxx Posts: 91
    Onyx - I'm 5'3
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    How tall are you? What is your body fat percentage? Is your midsection flabby or are you just naturally shaped that you don't have much of a waist? Was there even a real question in your post? What are you looking to do?
  • billsica
    billsica Posts: 4,741 Member
    I don't know if this would be true for you. but might want to look up skinny fat.

    also I think the wrist and ankle weights might be a bad idea.
  • bathsheba_c
    bathsheba_c Posts: 1,873 Member
    Could it just be an issue of different body shapes? I'm 5'5" with a goal weight of 135, but I regularly see people my height with goal weights of 120ish. If I weighed 120, I would look half-starved for the simple reason that my frame is different than theirs.
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    Sounds like you just have a different body shape than the other girls posting. My advice is to stay out of those threads- stop comparing yourself to other people. (Not to mention, IMO some people lie like rugs about their measurements in those threads. To what end? I have no idea.)

    Also, knock off ab workouts if you are looking to decrease your waistline. You can't spot reduce fat and muscles don't ever get smaller from working them excessively- it's just not how they work. Hit the gym and lift some weights using compound movements instead. Your abs will get all the work they need.
  • blu_meanie_ca
    blu_meanie_ca Posts: 352 Member
    One of my good friends is a very slender lady whose waist is wider than her hips. It's just the way she is. I've never had less than a 14 inch difference between my hips and waist. That's the way that I am.
  • Kotuliak
    Kotuliak Posts: 259 Member
    Why is my body so HUGE? :/
    That's the question I've been asking myself for years. I still have not come up with an answer. But I have a feeling just looking at my picture will make you feel better!
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,030 Member
    My scale says that I weigh 117 lbs, but I have a 30 inch waistline. How is this even possible???! I've looked up several people that are my height and weight, and it looks like I should have a 22-24 inch waistline at the most. I'm trying to tone and eat healthier, but I've been stuck with a huge waistline regardless. I eat nothing but protein (I'm doing the Atkin's diet) and drink unsweetened tea and water all day - mostly water).
    Why is my body so HUGE? :/
    Genetics. Blame your parents.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • britneyy32
    britneyy32 Posts: 97 Member
    You probably just naturally do not have much of a waistline, it doesn't mean you are fat, it is just your natural body shape.
  • onyxgirl17
    onyxgirl17 Posts: 1,722 Member
    I'm a couple inches taller than you and had a 23 inch waist at 100 lbs. I have a pear body figure though so I got a big butt and thighs no matter what with a disproportionately small waist. Right now at 150 lbs my natural waist is 27.5 inches. I think it's genetic. Are your thighs small?
  • Cait_Sidhe
    Cait_Sidhe Posts: 3,150 Member
    I am measuring at both my belly button and around my ribcage. I've looked that up as well and know that I have to measure at the smallest part. That is the part that is 30 inches. My stomach around my belly button is 33 inches :,(
    Neither of those are your actual waist. Your actual waist usually is 1-2" above your bellybutton and does not include your ribs. You are correct that you should be measuring the smallest part though.

    In my opinion, the best way to get a smaller waistline is by decreasing body fat and increasing lean body mass (strength training). Bill is right, the ankle weights can cause harm and really aren't going to do anything for your fitness. Also, it could just be your natural body shape. A 30" waist is by no means huge.
  • NatashaShen
    NatashaShen Posts: 295 Member
    You want disproportionate?

    At 195lbs, I have a 29 in. waist and 52 in. hips. :grumble:
  • belizsera
    belizsera Posts: 82 Member

    Also, knock off ab workouts if you are looking to decrease your waistline. You can't spot reduce fat and muscles don't ever get smaller from working them excessively- it's just not how they work. Hit the gym and lift some weights using compound movements instead. Your abs will get all the work they need.

    You took the words right out of my mouth. Sometimes working the abs specifically adds bulk, not leanness.
  • CoderGal
    CoderGal Posts: 6,800 Member
    how often and intense are you exercising? A half hour doesn't seem like very much.

    30 inches doesn't sound bad to me at all...

    There's no way in hell you'd be able to be 22 inches at 117 and if there was it would take a whole lot of work. At 5'7 and 120lbs and exercising very regularly I managed to get down to 24 inches. keep in mind I'm taller so the shorter you get the larger your waist would have to be at the same weight, and I have a significantly smaller waist then my hips, so the average at my height is definitely wider. I have no idea where on earth you're getting that source from.

    ps you will fluctuate by inches in the run of the day. so I was between 24-26
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    My scale says that I weigh 117 lbs, but I have a 30 inch waistline. How is this even possible???! I've looked up several people that are my height and weight, and it looks like I should have a 22-24 inch waistline at the most. I'm trying to tone and eat healthier, but I've been stuck with a huge waistline regardless. I eat nothing but protein (I'm doing the Atkin's diet) and drink unsweetened tea and water all day - mostly water).
    Why is my body so HUGE? :/


    Your perception of your body image is ridiculously disproportionate. Not every woman is designed to have a 22 inch waist...in fact the majority of us don't. You're at a healthy weight. Maybe you should focus on body composition, switch to maintenance and hit the weight HARD. I mean a lift day is lifting heavy not carrying 5lb weights while you do cardio. If you can do more than 12 reps it's too light. Your diary isn't open so it's hard to give you advice on that other than I think Atkin's is a load of crap BUT that's just my opinion. Eat more, lift weights and embrace the body that nature gave you:flowerforyou:
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    Maybe that's just where you hold your weight?

    I'm not sure....I am also 5'3 (currently bulking) and am up to 115 as of this morning. My waist is 24 inches.

    Perhaps you should incorporate strength training and lower your body fat percentage? Hard to say considering i have no idea what your body fat percentage is. :)
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    My scale says that I weigh 117 lbs, but I have a 30 inch waistline. How is this even possible???! I've looked up several people that are my height and weight, and it looks like I should have a 22-24 inch waistline at the most. I'm trying to tone and eat healthier, but I've been stuck with a huge waistline regardless. I eat nothing but protein (I'm doing the Atkin's diet) and drink unsweetened tea and water all day - mostly water).
    Why is my body so HUGE? :/
    Shape has a lot to do with it. Are you more straight than pear or hourglass? Then you will have a larger waist.
  • wareagle8706
    wareagle8706 Posts: 1,090 Member
    When I weighed 117 I didn't have a 22-24 inch waist. more like 26. 30 Isn't bad at all. I'm 5'1'' around 120lbs and have a 26.75 inch waist now.

    Make sure you're taking the measurement at the smallest part of your waist. Your belly button is not your waist.
  • nornas42
    nornas42 Posts: 73 Member
    Body type, body type. My waist is pretty much non-existent as it exists basically where my rib cage starts and I have a larger chest and wide hips - there's just no space for it to shrink into!
  • Missjulesdid
    Missjulesdid Posts: 1,444 Member
    Bodies are crazy things! My sister weighs 160ish and her waist is 26.... She didn't "do anything" to make it happen this way, it's just her genetics.... All her weight is in her huge thunder thighs. She is an extreme pear shape.. You are likely an apple shape.. I'll bet you've got super lean legs right?
  • prokomds
    prokomds Posts: 318 Member
    I am measuring at both my belly button and around my ribcage. I've looked that up as well and know that I have to measure at the smallest part. That is the part that is 30 inches. My stomach around my belly button is 33 inches :,(
    Neither of those are your actual waist. Your actual waist usually is 1-2" above your bellybutton and does not include your ribs. You are correct that you should be measuring the smallest part though.

    In my opinion, the best way to get a smaller waistline is by decreasing body fat and increasing lean body mass (strength training). Bill is right, the ankle weights can cause harm and really aren't going to do anything for your fitness. Also, it could just be your natural body shape. A 30" waist is by no means huge.

    This is good advice!

    Strength training (lifting things that are heavy!) is by far the most efficient way to lower your body fat percentage. I'd also advise that you should back away from the wrist/ankle weights and find a routine that's less mean to your joints. Best of luck!
  • rml_16
    rml_16 Posts: 16,414 Member
    Neither of those are your actual waist. Your actual waist usually is 1-2" above your bellybutton and does not include your ribs. You are correct that you should be measuring the smallest part though.

    My belly button is the smallest part of my waist. One to two inches above my belly button would include my ribs.
  • cuterbee
    cuterbee Posts: 545
    Even at my very thinnest, I had a larger waist. This always bothered me until I had a DEXA scan (which allows you to see your skeleton). I have a big rib cage, which doesn't taper much, and it's fairly close to my hipbones. There's no way I'm ever going to have a teeny waist, and it's just the way my body is made.
  • DrMAvDPhD
    DrMAvDPhD Posts: 2,097 Member
    Chances are your body shape is more apple (small bust and hips with larger waist) or banana (ruler) and your friends are pears or hourglasses (both have bigger differences between waist and hips). You just have to love the body you've got.

    That being said, I lost 3 inches off my waist while staying at the same weight by beginning a heavy lifting program. You might be happier with those results than just getting skinnier and skinnier.

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