Am I doomed?!?!

erinpickles
erinpickles Posts: 5 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I am a 5'10 female, weighing 170 lbs. I have lost weight before but never where I wanted. My current measurements are 35-inch bust, 30-in waist, and 43-inch hips. Obesity runs in my family but even the smaller members have the lower-body curse. I eat well and do a lot of exercises that target the buns, hips, and thighs but have had very little results. All my friends and family tell me there is nothing I can do and I'm starting to believe them. It kind of makes me want to give up. Any success stories out there or suggestions?

Replies

  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    Doing exercises for the lower body when you are pear shaped is great for keeping things firm and toned, but can often add inches if you are not eating a deficit because it can build muscle under the fat. This is still a good thing because that's how you get a nice firm booty.

    You may very well be "doomed" to always have a bigger bottom than top, though many men (and women) would call it a blessing. Just make the most of what the good Lord gave you and work toward good health. Life is too short to live it in poor health or wishing you had someone else's body.
  • acrynne
    acrynne Posts: 74 Member
    If your goal is to have a body type that is different than the one that you have (like you would like to be an apple when your body type is a pear) then yes, you are doomed to fail.

    If your goal is to be healthy, then of course you are not doomed. Fat is not a body type.
  • laurielou642
    laurielou642 Posts: 1
    No matter what exercises you do, your body decides which areas to burn fat. Yes, doing exercises that target certain areas can help strengthen and tone those areas, but you may burn fat elsewhere. If you keep working out, you will eventually lose the fat in the areas you would like. I also know that fat in the stomach area is easier to lose than fat on the thighs. As a pear shape myself, I know to look for less fat in the stomach before I see results in my legs if you know what I mean.
  • linda1243
    linda1243 Posts: 166
    I can show you what a jiggly non-cared for pear shape looks like. It's not pretty. Trust me, keep going. You will stay firmer and the tighter you are the better it looks. Those who tell you to give up are most likely people who aren't doing anything at all and don't want to know if exercise will make a difference because they don't want to do it.

    I recommend looking at success stories. They are helpful and you will see that people can definitely change shapes.
  • erinpickles
    erinpickles Posts: 5 Member
    That's a good point. I guess I just wish I wasn't so EXTREMELY disproportionate.
  • JohnMessmer
    JohnMessmer Posts: 536
    People burn fat in different areas at different times, stick with your exercise and eventually the fat will melt away as long as you eat fewer calories than your burn.
  • Topher1978
    Topher1978 Posts: 975 Member
    Healthy body booty is sexy ;-)
  • frando
    frando Posts: 583 Member
    You can't change your shape, I'm afraid.

    You can, as the first reply states, firm things up but you can't stop where your body naturally stores.

    Look for clothes that draw more attention to your shoulder/bust to even out your shape- its what I do! I'm a proud pear! But I do have a huge set of boobies to compensate for my hips (I've gone from a 38FF to a 36GG from all this excerising!) so display your other assets. There's loads of guides on the net for it

    Fellow pears are Rihanna, Christina Aguilear and Paris Hilton!
  • cheninaerin
    cheninaerin Posts: 86
    You're not doomed. Though you will always have a pear shaped body, you can try working with a personal trainer a couple times maybe to really specifically target the areas you want to lose weight in. Also, embrace your pear shape! I wish I had it, the apple body type is frustrating as well.
  • SprinklesNSparkles
    SprinklesNSparkles Posts: 11
    You can't 'spot reduce'. Body doesn't work that way. You can reduce over all body fat and can tone whatever areas you want but the other posters are correct, you'll never change what body shape you are.
  • bpotts44
    bpotts44 Posts: 1,066 Member
    You're not doomed. Though you will always have a pear shaped body, you can try working with a personal trainer a couple times maybe to really specifically target the areas you want to lose weight in. Also, embrace your pear shape! I wish I had it, the apple body type is frustrating as well.

    You cannot spot reduce, but what you can do it lower your BF % by losing fat and lifting you help you gain muscle and have a toned look. I think you can probably look really good if you want to put the work in.
  • reasnableblonde
    reasnableblonde Posts: 212 Member
    You're about where I was when I started - same weight, VERY similar measurements, but I was an inch shorter. Yes, you can do it.

    Some lessons I've learned, either from my dietician or my personal trainer or just experience:

    1. You won't go anywhere without hydrating, so bottoms up.
    2. Cycling is nice, but it can actually cause "bulking" on pear shaped people. We tend to gain muscle there more easily, according to my dietician. Don't use that as your main source of exercise. Circuit train, large muscle groups. Don't be a cardio queen.
    3. Strength train! Deadlifts, lunges, squats, pushups, burpees, push-presses, etc. Lifting weights was the first time I saw real change in my tone and muscle. Cardio is good, but don't use it alone.

    Strengthening my lower back, butt, and legs definitely helped me immensely. I have progress pics on my profile. Take a look!
  • erinpickles
    erinpickles Posts: 5 Member
    Thanks, everyone. I will take your suggestions and work to not let negative comments dissuade me. When I first joined this site, I thought it was a calorie counter only, I just recently discovered the message board and social aspect!
  • Topher1978
    Topher1978 Posts: 975 Member
    This place is super cool in the social zone! I am kinda surprised at how cool the people are on here. I have been here for 2 weeks, and love the interaction and friendliness!

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