Why don't I look ok?

tobejune

Why do I feel like I look so fat? Yeah, okay, obviously not going to get an answer to that question but seriously, I'm 116 lbs with 19% body fat and I feel like I should be physically smaller than what my measurements are. Or, maybe the body fat % is way off (18% using a couple online calculators with measurements and 19% using the gyms fancy scale thinger) because honestly, I'm only 61 inches tall, WHY ARE MY THIGHS 21.5 INCHES?!?!!?

Ugh. Maybe it's just one of those days. Or weeks. Or months. I just want to fit into my pre-pregnancy jeans. Incidentally I weighed more and had a higher body fat% then (125ish lbs and 27% body fat) but my measurements were smaller (thighs were around 20) and in any case, I wore a size 1 or 2.

Maybe it'd be helpful to hear what some other peoples measurements are if you have similar stats.... Or really any advice or feedback would be appreciated.

I may go try to take a picture to post, too. Hmm... camera where are you?

DonnaNCgirl

Muscle v Fat

jonnythan

Because the media has given you an unhealthy body image.

Don't sweat it. But it doesn't hurt to have a goal. Lift heavy and lose a few pounds and you will get that slim toned look everyone wants.

From the looks of it you don't have very far to go anyway. You're at a pretty healthy weight and look good. Just focus on maintaining activity levels and preserving lean mass. Think about what your real goals are.

tobejune

Here's a recent pic. Recent meaning I just went and hopped up on the toilet lid to use the only (dirty) mirror in the house for a god old fashioned selfie. Please forgive the still-sweaty workout clothes from earlier. I just figured WTH, it's 11:30 at night and it's mfp. Not a blind date or anything.... haha

montlucia

It's simply a body image issue. Anyway, be careful about saying you're fat 'cause that can come across as a tad insensitive to people who are really obese. Count your chickens. Think positive. What's not to like?

tobejune

Muscle v Fat

Right. This is the standard answer/ response.... But the problem is that I'm at a body fat % that typically I feel like people aim for as a goal and is *supposed* to look toned, slim, etc. But it's not looking that way on me. Few weeks ago when I reached 19%, I changed my goals on my profile to 15% thinking maybe I'd see what I wanted to at that number then tonight was reading up and saw that at that percent, some women lose their period. Now I'm thinking I'm really all warped in the head with a goal that low.

jonnythan

Uh, yeah. You look great and healthy. You certainly have nothing to worry about. Like I said, think about what your goals really are and what you want. If your goals do end up being more definition, then the way to really accomplish that is with a serious heavy lifting program. For general fitness, more moderate strength training is fine. Remember that you lose body fat by running a deficit and working the muscles to maintain lean mass.

jonnythan

Muscle v Fat

Right. This is the standard answer/ response.... But the problem is that I'm at a body fat % that typically I feel like people aim for as a goal and is *supposed* to look toned, slim, etc. But it's not looking that way on me. Few weeks ago when I reached 19%, I changed my goals on my profile to 15% thinking maybe I'd see what I wanted to at that number then tonight was reading up and saw that at that percent, some women lose their period. Now I'm thinking I'm really all warped in the head with a goal that low.

Hard to tell from a photo but I'd guess more like 22 than 18. It's very tough for a woman to get below 20 without looking anorexic unless they do real strength training.

YAYJules

It's simply a body image issue. Anyway, be careful about saying you're fat 'cause that can come across as a tad insensitive to people who are really obese. Count your chickens. Think positive. What's not to like?

Yeah, what she said. A post like this seems like you just want people to say "ZOMG, look how not fat you are! Girl, you crazy!" Meanwhile, people who legitimately have weight to lose will resent posts like this because you are nowhere near standing in their plus sized shoes.

montlucia

Maybe you're in the mindset where you feel like you're still overweight because you were before (if that makes any sense). I honestly think you don't need to lose any more weight. Cut yourself some slack.

Yeah, what she said. A post like this seems like you just want people to say "ZOMG, look how not fat you are! Girl, you crazy!" Meanwhile, people who legitimately have weight to lose will resent posts like this because you are nowhere near standing in their plus sized shoes.

That's what I meant. It does seem like fishing for compliments, whether intentional or not. I don't mean any offence with what I said. Allow me to clarify. Once I stood next to an A-cup girl and said "My boobs are too small" and I'm a D-cup. And she said "well what about mine?". She wan't particularly annoyed but it taught me to swallow my pride and vanity.

jonnythan

What are all those little bottles?

tobejune

Muscle v Fat

Right. This is the standard answer/ response.... But the problem is that I'm at a body fat % that typically I feel like people aim for as a goal and is *supposed* to look toned, slim, etc. But it's not looking that way on me. Few weeks ago when I reached 19%, I changed my goals on my profile to 15% thinking maybe I'd see what I wanted to at that number then tonight was reading up and saw that at that percent, some women lose their period. Now I'm thinking I'm really all warped in the head with a goal that low.

Hard to tell from a photo but I'd guess more like 22 than 18. It's very tough for a woman to get below 20 without looking anorexic unless they do real strength training.

This is helpful- thank you! Part of me has been thinking the body fat% has just got to be off.... any other guesses out there?

MoreBean13

You look fantastic.

One thing though, is you're 24 and your baby is 3, so I am assuming you were pregnant when you were around 20. The thing is, you might not get that body back- ever. It's not a bad thing, and it's not even the pregnancy's fault (probably), you were pregnant around the time when your body would have naturally gone through the end stages of development from adolescence to an adult female body- wider hips, more thighs, more breasts...slightly different for every woman. You really look fantastic- you just need to ditch the expectations of going back to the adolescent version of your body.

tobejune

What are all those little bottles?

lol... tinctures, herbal remedies, and essential oils

jonnythan

Hmm. Are they really that essential? I don't have any.

tobejune

It's simply a body image issue. Anyway, be careful about saying you're fat 'cause that can come across as a tad insensitive to people who are really obese. Count your chickens. Think positive. What's not to like?

Yeah, what she said. A post like this seems like you just want people to say "ZOMG, look how not fat you are! Girl, you crazy!" Meanwhile, people who legitimately have weight to lose will resent posts like this because you are nowhere near standing in their plus sized shoes.

Thanks for the advice though I disagree. Just because I'm not obese doesn't mean I deserve to have less support. I'm not looking for compliments, I'm looking for perspective because mine is obviously on vacation right now. People who resent me for expressing my struggles with my body and asking for feedback can make their own post with their own feelings. I'm all for that

determinedbutlazy

I agree that your bodyfat looks more like the 20's somewhere, it's very difficult for a woman to get below 20.
Do you weight train? If you take up a heavy lifting programme, you might see a change in shape that you prefer?

JJordon

Sir Charles Hughes put it best.

Dy-no-mite. Dy-no-mite. *beat* *beat* *beat* Dy-no-mite. Dy-no-mite.

This is what you look like.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dxs4Yg5X29w

montlucia

You don't have to be technically perfect to look hot btw. Just ask any man.

And you are so toned as well.

btw I wasn't especially critiquing your post. I can see you want advice. Hope it goes well. I think you have the body of a celebrity and no more work is required.

tobejune

You look fantastic.

One thing though, is you're 24 and your baby is 3, so I am assuming you were pregnant when you were around 20. The thing is, you might not get that body back- ever. It's not a bad thing, and it's not even the pregnancy's fault (probably), you were pregnant around the time when your body would have naturally gone through the end stages of development from adolescence to an adult female body- wider hips, more thighs, more breasts...slightly different for every woman. You really look fantastic- you just need to ditch the expectations of going back to the adolescent version of your body.

Thank you. I have thought of this... and maybe just a bit of denial going on. It's a sad realization but I think you are probably right. The jeans I wore at 17/18 years old need to just go to goodwill. Ugh.

tobejune

Hmm. Are they really that essential? I don't have any.

I have plenty and I like to share