We are pleased to announce that as of March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor has been introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

Body Shapes?

ddddanger
ddddanger Posts: 4
edited January 9 in Health and Weight Loss
So I'm restarting my weight loss journey again after an injury (herniated disc at age 20, ikr?!) and I'm feeling really motivated and good :) I've started at a gym that's close enough to my house to walk and I've put in three good workouts (strength training circuit plus 60 mins interval training on the elliptical) and I plan to go 5 days a week. I love the gym and working out, always have, so I doubt sticking to this will be much of an issue. Plus, being on my butt and in pain for three months made me realise I really take my physical health for granted. I've lost 4 lbs in ten days and I feel good :)

However I've been doing some research into body shapes, curious as to what mine is. I'd like to know so that I can target certain areas when I workout based on how I'd like my body to look like in the end. I would like to be slender and toned, but still curvy. I'm having trouble figuring out my body type so I thought I'd turn to the forums for some help...

I used to think I was an apple, but after doing some research, I have my doubts. I definitely have a waist, and my hips are very wide (my hipbones themselves). They line up with my shoulders and rib cage. I don't, however, have a big chest at ALL (I'm a 40 A) and my legs are fairly toned. I carry a lot of my weight around my upper back/neck/arms/lower stomach. I've realised those areas are not toned AT ALL, and this could be a factor to why I look disproportionate.

Could it be that I'm an hourglass shape, but it's just...hiding? From what I've read apples have narrow hips, and pears have slender shoulders, neither of which I have. Any help for meee? :)

Replies

  • SideSteel
    SideSteel Posts: 11,068 Member
    I don't know that it matters what you classify your shape as.

    You can make muscles bigger and/or stronger through training.
    You can lose fat.

    That's all you can do, and you end up with the shape you end up with based on a combination of fat loss/muscle gain.
  • BeachGingerOnTheRocks
    BeachGingerOnTheRocks Posts: 3,927 Member
    I started out as a pear but became an hourglass. Your body loses weight/gains muscle based on genetics as well as hard work. Think of it as a game to see what you become.
  • shorty35565
    shorty35565 Posts: 1,425 Member
    It doesn't matter what areas you target. You cant spot reduce. You will lose where u lose from & ur body shape doesn't really matter either.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,124 Member
    I don't know that it matters what you classify your shape as.

    You can make muscles bigger and/or stronger through training.
    You can lose fat.

    That's all you can do, and you end up with the shape you end up with based on a combination of fat loss/muscle gain.
    TRUTH!

    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
  • ddddanger
    ddddanger Posts: 4
    I know I can't spot reduce, I meant for strength training so that I can make the most out of what I've got once I get down to the weight I'd like to be! Thanks for all the quick responses! My only fear is that I'll have a shapeless or masculine body when I'm done. Probably stems from my sister (she's 29, about 125 lbs). She has a very shapeless body, with no hips or butt at all. My mom says she has a feeling I'm much curvier naturally. I also have a feeling she doesn't do much weight training.

    I guess I will just keep losing fat/building muscle and see where it takes me! :) Thanks guys!
This discussion has been closed.

Categories