Any Successes for Women With An Inverted Triangle Shape?

purplecharm

Hey everyone,
I am inverted triangle and I just started my weight loss journey. Are there any ladies built like me that have lost weight.

For those that aren't sure what an inverted triangle body shape looks like, just picture Sherri Shepherd from the View.

From www.refinery.ca:

If you have an Inverted Triangle Body Shape you:

have hips that are narrower than your shoulders
your waist may go in slightly, or be a bit straighter, but the main defining feature of your shape is the different proportions of shoulders and hips
may describe feeling like a "football player" in certain garments
often well endowed in proportion to the rest of your figure, but not always
tend to be drawn to v-necklines


Please share your before/after pictures if you are an inverted triangle that has successfully lost weight.

I know this thread won't be huge because we have the most uncommon shape out of all the body shapes.

bloodysore

I'm one too! I've lost a bit, but don't have pictures to post yet. I'll be watching this thread with you!

tashamcc

Hi ya, im an inverted triangle, it's getting better as I lose weight. Shoulders wayyyyyyy wider than hips

purplecharm

Hi tashamcc,
Thanks for sharing your pictures. Part of your picture is cut off.

My shoulders are also wayyyyyy wider than my hips. I actually have no hips or butt and my waist is super thick with no definition. I'm a size 20 on the top and a size 16 on the bottom........crazy. I am jealous when I see a woman that is 250 lbs and can still see her defined waist.

Demi Moore and Teri Hatcher are inverted triangles but it's not obvious because they are thin and dress their shape. I hate to say it, but I just think that extra weight doesn't look good on inverted triangle the way it does on hourglasses or pears.

That's why I am on a mission to lose weight, so that I can look my best with the shape that I have. I am just hoping that I can some how prevent my bottom half from wasting away when I lose weight.

purplecharm

I'm one too! I've lost a bit, but don't have pictures to post yet. I'll be watching this thread with you!

Thanks for responding.

krickeyuu

I am an inverted triangle--big boobs and shoulders, no hips. I lost 20 lbs. Still no hips (or defined waist) but I hope to be posting pics on 1/16/13--my 365 day of losing.

chubbygirl253

I dont know exactly what I am, apple I think. But I've lost 60 lbs (1/3 of the way to my goal) so I'm slowly shrinking. I dont resemble the kool-aid man nearly as much as I used to.

purplecharm

I am an inverted triangle--big boobs and shoulders, no hips. I lost 20 lbs. Still no hips (or defined waist) but I hope to be posting pics on 1/16/13--my 365 day of losing.

Congrats on your weight loss. Looking forward to seeing your pictures.

purplecharm

I dont know exactly what I am, apple I think. But I've lost 60 lbs (1/3 of the way to my goal) so I'm slowly shrinking. I dont resemble the kool-aid man nearly as much as I used to.

It does sound like you're an apple. Inverted triangles typically have broad shoulders that are wider than their hips, undefined waist and small legs.

BarackMeLikeAHurricane

I've never really found a body shape description that accurately described me but I think inverted triangle sounds pretty close. My measurements are 35-24.5-32 so my hip measurement is a good amount smaller than my bust measurement. Anyway, here are before and afters.

Before



After

purplecharm

I've never really found a body shape description that accurately described me but I think inverted triangle sounds pretty close. My measurements are 35-24.5-32 so my hip measurement is a good amount smaller than my bust measurement. Anyway, here are before and afters.

Before



After

Thanks for sharing yours pics. You look great. I definitely think that you are a triangle because your shoulders are wider than your hips.

BarackMeLikeAHurricane

Thanks

toludc

I am an inverted triangle shape. I dont have pics right now but will post them when I do. I lost a lot of weight through exercise and healthy eating last year (since put back on due to pregnancy) and when I did i noticed the weight dropped from my hips downwards but not so much the top half. it was so frustrating. So this time round I have tailored my workouts to not include any upper body weight training as I dont want to bulk up on my shoulders and am including a higher protein diet to reduce muscle loss from my bottom and thight

I hope it works!!

toludc

I am an inverted triangle shape. I dont have pics right now but will post them when I do. I lost a lot of weight through exercise and healthy eating last year (since put back on due to pregnancy) and when I did i noticed the weight dropped from my hips downwards but not so much the top half. it was so frustrating. So this time round I have tailored my workouts to not include any upper body weight training as I dont want to bulk up on my shoulders and am including a higher protein diet to reduce muscle loss from my bottom and thight

I hope it works!!

purplecharm

I am an inverted triangle shape. I dont have pics right now but will post them when I do. I lost a lot of weight through exercise and healthy eating last year (since put back on due to pregnancy) and when I did i noticed the weight dropped from my hips downwards but not so much the top half. it was so frustrating. So this time round I have tailored my workouts to not include any upper body weight training as I dont want to bulk up on my shoulders and am including a higher protein diet to reduce muscle loss from my bottom and thight

I hope it works!!

That's what I am worried about. The majority of my weight is from my waist and up. I truly could go without losing any weight below my waist. I know you can't change your body build but I am going to see if it's possible to do a more targeted weight loss, so that I can concentrate primarily on my upper body.

Congrats on your pregnancy and I wish you the best once you resume your weight loss journey.

jigglewiggles

This is me too unfortunately. I've always hated my shape, and was teased about being a "football player". I was 215lbs at my heaviest and now I'm 175. I can see a difference, but I still have a ways to go, so no "after" pics yet. I always have that problem with the two different sizes on top and bottom, it's so hard to find dresses that look right on me. I have noticed though, that the weight comes off last from the place that you put it on first. So for me, my stomach, back, face, is coming off very slowly. I unfortunately lost weight from my seemingly non existent bottom half, don't know how that could happen, but the numbers don't lie. I agree with you that inverted triangles look so much better at a lower weight, we just can't pull off the chub like other shapes, lol. Good luck to you!!

purplecharm

This is me too unfortunately. I've always hated my shape, and was teased about being a "football player". I was 215lbs at my heaviest and now I'm 175. I can see a difference, but I still have a ways to go, so no "after" pics yet. I always have that problem with the two different sizes on top and bottom, it's so hard to find dresses that look right on me. I have noticed though, that the weight comes off last from the place that you put it on first. So for me, my stomach, back, face, is coming off very slowly. I unfortunately lost weight from my seemingly non existent bottom half, don't know how that could happen, but the numbers don't lie. I agree with you that inverted triangles look so much better at a lower weight, we just can't pull off the chub like other shapes, lol. Good luck to you!!

Thanks for sharing your story and congrats on your weight loss. I have always hated my body shape, too. I was also teased as a child because of my broad shoulders. I remember being told that I was built like a man when I was in middle school.

I try to dress my shape but a lot of the clothes suggested for inverted triangles aren't available in abundance in plus-sizes. For instance, peplum dresses and skirts are recommend because they balance out the top half of your body. I have yet to see a peplum skirt in a plus size fashion store. I think one of the problems with finding flattering clothes for plus-size inverted triangles is that the plus-size fashion industry and society in general think that every plus-size woman is also curvy. Plus-size and curvy are not synonymous. Clothes in Women's sizes don't take into account the many different body shapes.

I suspect that the weight in my problem areas are going to be struggle for me to lose , too, just because of my body composition. Oh well, I won't let that discourage me. Be sure to share your after pics after you've completed your journey. We are in a very small club. There won't be hundreds of ladies responding to this thread lol, so I hope the few of us inverted triangles that are here will share pictures to help give encouragement to other IT's.

itsjilly

That would be me! No pictures to share, but I started in August at 254lbs.

Today I am 215 lbs (1 to go to 40)

Here are my measurements from August to December. I have been trying to eat a 1200 calorie diet, reduced carbs, and work out 6 days a week

5 inches from my waist
7.5 from my hips
9 from my bust
10 from my abdomen

BarackMeLikeAHurricane

You ladies might not appreciate it yet, but I think the inverted triangle shape has the greatest potential to look great, more than any other body type (sorry, other body types). If you lose enough weight so that your shoulders are kind of boney, they can look very lean and elegant, and you already don't get that dumpy, bottom-heavy look that women with large hips get. I didn't fully appreciate my shape until I lost weight. Now I own it and do a ton of upper body exercises to keep that half strong and wider.

Just an optimistic thought I'd share with you ladies :flowerforyou:

purplecharm

That would be me! No pictures to share, but I started in August at 254lbs.

Today I am 215 lbs (1 to go to 40)

Here are my measurements from August to December. I have been trying to eat a 1200 calorie diet, reduced carbs, and work out 6 days a week

5 inches from my waist
7.5 from my hips
9 from my bust
10 from my abdomen

Congrats on your 40lbs weight loss. I hope to lose 40lbs by May. MFP recommends 1200 calories for me but I am confused by the whole "eat back the calories that you earn". Most say that they are still able to lose weight eating back earned calories but with my luck, I will be that one person that gains instead of loses. Do you eat your earned calories?

Keep up the good work!

purplecharm

You ladies might not appreciate it yet, but I think the inverted triangle shape has the greatest potential to look great, more than any other body type (sorry, other body types). If you lose enough weight so that your shoulders are kind of boney, they can look very lean and elegant, and you already don't get that dumpy, bottom-heavy look that women with large hips get. I didn't fully appreciate my shape until I lost weight. Now I own it and do a ton of upper body exercises to keep that half strong and wider.

Just an optimistic thought I'd share with you ladies :flowerforyou:

Thanks so much for your encouraging words. Sometimes I am so busy having a self-pity party because I don't have hips or a plump bum, that I don't see the pluses associated with being an inverted triangle. I read somewhere that a lot of models are inverted triangles. Supermodel Naomi Campbell is one and she looks great in her clothes.

I really do appreciate your kind words.

purplecharm

bump

breeanreyes

I am soooo glad you posted this! I have never known what shape I am, apple was just never quite accurate... Now I know!!! I always tell people who try to give me clothes that I don't fit clothes that look like I would because of my linebacker shoulders, and I am ALWAYS concerned about beefing up my shoulders too much. I have a very muscular build anyway, and my traps (the muscles on the top of your shoulders that connect to your neck) are big enough that my bra straps don't stay up. I once had a dance teacher tell me in highschool that I would make a great bodybuilder.... not exactly what a 16 year old girl wants to hear! I am starting to love my body though, I'm 20 lbs down with 24 to go, unfortunately no pics yet. I get so frustrated shopping for coats too, they NEVER fit right, either I can't move my arms or they just hang off my body and don't look tailored like they're supposed to. I do seem to be losing very proportionately though, thankfully! Although the little tire I seem to have around my middle is a bit more reluctant to leave. I have a little thicker legs than is probably typical, I have to fit my pants to my legs, not my butt or waist. grateful to see others like me! it's nice to know I'm not alone

michellekicks

Not sure if I qualify as an inverted triangle. I tend to think of myself more like a tree :laugh:

My shoulders measure about 42" around, bust is 37", waist 34", hips 39" at about 158 lbs... so, shoulders wider than hips I guess... not by much. And the girls are a barely-b-cup now.

This is me now:


This was me at about 190lbs. I started losing in January 2012 at 194 lbs:


This was me at my highest weight - about 218 lbs but years ago (no full body shots back then. No way):


Dunno if that helps...

mommyang2

I never knew we had a name for our body type. I have been teased my entire life for my "Linebacker shoulders" My waist and my hips are only 1/2" different. I have small legs and no backside! I just started my weight loss journey, but I have lost 5.6lbs. When I do lose weight (I did before getting pregnant again) I lose in my legs first (of course) and it takes me a little while to start losing in my stomach. I do agree when slim, our shape is pretty sexy!

katie190177

I am totally an inverted trianlge... line backer shoulders, hardly any hips, carry a lot of weight in my shoulders and stomach. When i see myself in pictures all I see is my giant shoulders, which I have hardly noticed any change in size even though I've lost like 40+ lbs. Go take a look at my pictures just to see how broad my shoulders are!

Oh and I was totally called amazon woman in middle school due to my man shoulders/physique. I can also split the back open of blazers and dress shirts that are supposed to fit, I tend to have to buy a size up just so I don't feel like the incredible hulk

purplecharm

I am soooo glad you posted this! I have never known what shape I am, apple was just never quite accurate... Now I know!!! I always tell people who try to give me clothes that I don't fit clothes that look like I would because of my linebacker shoulders, and I am ALWAYS concerned about beefing up my shoulders too much. I have a very muscular build anyway, and my traps (the muscles on the top of your shoulders that connect to your neck) are big enough that my bra straps don't stay up. I once had a dance teacher tell me in highschool that I would make a great bodybuilder.... not exactly what a 16 year old girl wants to hear! I am starting to love my body though, I'm 20 lbs down with 24 to go, unfortunately no pics yet. I get so frustrated shopping for coats too, they NEVER fit right, either I can't move my arms or they just hang off my body and don't look tailored like they're supposed to. I do seem to be losing very proportionately though, thankfully! Although the little tire I seem to have around my middle is a bit more reluctant to leave. I have a little thicker legs than is probably typical, I have to fit my pants to my legs, not my butt or waist. grateful to see others like me! it's nice to know I'm not alone

I know what you mean about people trying to give you clothes. My sister is a pear with a huge butt. We weigh around the same (240 lbs) but because of our different shape, we can't wear the same clothes. When she tries to give me some of her tops, I have to remind her that I can't wear her tops because of my shoulders. She can wear 14/16 tops and I wear 18/20 tops.

I can tell from your profile pic that you have very nice, well-defined legs. IT's are known for having great legs. I will admit that I do have nice legs. As big as I am, I have no cellulite, no dimples, etc in my legs and they are slight defined with no effort on my part.

Once I get this weight off, I think I will feel better about my shape.

Good luck with your weight loss journey.

purplecharm

Not sure if I qualify as an inverted triangle. I tend to think of myself more like a tree :laugh:

My shoulders measure about 42" around, bust is 37", waist 34", hips 39" at about 158 lbs... so, shoulders wider than hips I guess... not by much. And the girls are a barely-b-cup now.

This is me now:


This was me at about 190lbs. I started losing in January 2012 at 194 lbs:


This was me at my highest weight - about 218 lbs but years ago (no full body shots back then. No way):


Dunno if that helps...

Yes, this does help. Thanks so much for responding and sharing your pics...you look great.

Not all people with our shape have big boobs lol. I happen to have them, but I took after both of my grandmothers and they were both top heavy. I wish they were smaller. Hopefully I will go down a cup or 2 when I lose the weight


I wish you continued success with your weight loss.
I

purplecharm

I never knew we had a name for our body type. I have been teased my entire life for my "Linebacker shoulders" My waist and my hips are only 1/2" different. I have small legs and no backside! I just started my weight loss journey, but I have lost 5.6lbs. When I do lose weight (I did before getting pregnant again) I lose in my legs first (of course) and it takes me a little while to start losing in my stomach. I do agree when slim, our shape is pretty sexy!

It wasn't until I started researching how to dress when you have broad shoulders, that I found out there was a name for our body type. Seems like it's the body shape no one whats to talk about.

Congrats on your weight loss and keep us posted.

I am going to try to keep this thread alive as long as possible.

purplecharm

I am totally an inverted trianlge... line backer shoulders, hardly any hips, carry a lot of weight in my shoulders and stomach. When i see myself in pictures all I see is my giant shoulders, which I have hardly noticed any change in size even though I've lost like 40+ lbs. Go take a look at my pictures just to see how broad my shoulders are!

Oh and I was totally called amazon woman in middle school due to my man shoulders/physique. I can also split the back open of blazers and dress shirts that are supposed to fit, I tend to have to buy a size up just so I don't feel like the incredible hulk

I took a look at your pics and OMG, you look beautiful. I can definitely see a difference. Your shoulders are less pronounced in the pic of you in the black dress.

The pic of you in the purple dress...is that a comparison pic of you in the mirror? I can't really tell because the picture is small.

I am trying to lose 40 lbs by May, with a goal of losing 100 lbs by the end of the year. Your pictures inspire me to get off my non-existent butt and make it happen. How long did it take you to lose the weight?

Girl_Bomb

I am 100% the perfect example of a inverted triangle shape, my shoulders, back and bust are incredibly larger then my hips and legs. Small bathing suit bottoms to an Xl top. I have been mainly focusing on my lower half in terms of weight training in an attempt to bulk up my lower half and it is definetly working, iv gone up a size in underwear which is exactly what I want, from a S to a M, and my low rise jeans aren't comfortable anymore, so it looks like I am having some success with this.

I recently read that women with an inverted triangle shape should do low weight high reps on their upper body's and high weight low reps on there lower half allowing you to tone your upper half and bulk your lower half. In terms of cardio iv been focusing on lower body as well for example a stepper or a cross trainer (it's like a stepper and elliptical with an incline) I use high resistance at a slower pace. Treadmill on an incline would be good too. I also enjoy kickboxing, it allows you to tone your upper body without weights and its a great workout.

There's some pics on my profile but idn if you can see my shape very well in them.