Any Successes for Women With An Inverted Triangle Shape?

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Replies

  • purplecharm
    purplecharm Posts: 446 Member
    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.

    Thanks a bunch for this post. I checked out your pics and and you look terrific. I can see your before shape in the pic on the bike. What a transformation.

    Also, thanks for sharing your workout regime. I often wondered if there was a way to beef up my lower half, so it's good to know that it's possible. I am going to definitely work weight training into my weight loss/fitness journey.
  • Daysednconfused
    Daysednconfused Posts: 975 Member
    I thought I was an apple, but now realize I am in inverted triangle. My shoulders are 44, bust 41.5", waist 34", hips 37" and 19" thigh! I was an hourglass until I went through menopause. UGH!!!
  • blissfulself
    blissfulself Posts: 193 Member
    agree with the girls above- thank you for posting this! I too have never really known what to call my body type! I really like my butt/legs, but hold all my weight in my face, arms and stomach. Even when I was very skinny in highschool I was never comfortable wearing tank tops/spagetti straps or cap sleeves because of my big shoulders/arms. and I always describe myself as a football player like a lot of you here! haha. I've been doing a lot of cardio and this year really starting incorporating weight/strength training. I'm doing a lot of squats and lunges to tone my legs and hopefully make my butt a little more round. I have also been doing videos I find on youtube that have arm exercises- like http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjHCKDF0Z5o .

    anyone feel free to add me!
  • purplecharm
    purplecharm Posts: 446 Member
    agree with the girls above- thank you for posting this! I too have never really known what to call my body type! I really like my butt/legs, but hold all my weight in my face, arms and stomach. Even when I was very skinny in highschool I was never comfortable wearing tank tops/spagetti straps or cap sleeves because of my big shoulders/arms. and I always describe myself as a football player like a lot of you here! haha. I've been doing a lot of cardio and this year really starting incorporating weight/strength training. I'm doing a lot of squats and lunges to tone my legs and hopefully make my butt a little more round. I have also been doing videos I find on youtube that have arm exercises- like http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjHCKDF0Z5o .

    anyone feel free to add me!

    Thanks for sharing the youtube link. I am definitely going to check it out.
  • katie190177
    katie190177 Posts: 38 Member
    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?
    Edited by purplecharm on Mon 01/14/13 01:53 PM

    That purple dress picture is a comparison, it's from my crappy old blackberry but it's the exact same dress and I still notice my shoulders being giant haha I lost most of my weight between April and September but I lost about 5
    45lbs in about 8 months just using hard work and proper eating!
  • purplecharm
    purplecharm Posts: 446 Member
    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?
    Edited by purplecharm on Mon 01/14/13 01:53 PM

    That purple dress picture is a comparison, it's from my crappy old blackberry but it's the exact same dress and I still notice my shoulders being giant haha I lost most of my weight between April and September but I lost about 5
    45lbs in about 8 months just using hard work and proper eating!

    Sometimes it's easier for us to spot our perceived "flaws" than it it for others. You look great. :smile:
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    Maybe I need glasses, but you totally look human-shaped to me.
  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
    the more I think about it, the more I think I might be an IT body type too.

    I was about 30 lbs heavier than this when I started trying to lose weight a year ago
    8193374926_e25182cc2b.jpg
    0120100909 by crochetmom2010, on Flickr

    this is me in November, almost exactly the same weight, but after doing some heavy lifting.
    8193379046_12510bafc2.jpg
    IMG00817-20121113-0848 by crochetmom2010, on Flickr

    my hips, thighs, etc are currently the same size they were 10 years ago when I was 25 lbs lighter! My thighs are pretty solid...
  • purplecharm
    purplecharm Posts: 446 Member
    the more I think about it, the more I think I might be an IT body type too.

    I was about 30 lbs heavier than this when I started trying to lose weight a year ago
    8193374926_e25182cc2b.jpg
    0120100909 by crochetmom2010, on Flickr

    this is me in November, almost exactly the same weight, but after doing some heavy lifting.
    8193379046_12510bafc2.jpg
    IMG00817-20121113-0848 by crochetmom2010, on Flickr

    my hips, thighs, etc are currently the same size they were 10 years ago when I was 25 lbs lighter! My thighs are pretty solid...

    Congrats on your weight loss and thanks for sharing pics! I agree that you have the IT body type because your shoulders are wider than your hips and you have great legs. Now that you've mentioned not gaining any weight in your thighs or hips despite your weight gain, I don't think that I have gained any weight in my lower half either despite all the weight that I've gain. I rarely wear pants, but when I do, people always think I've lost weight because my bottom half is much smaller than my top half. I am going to look in to weight training because I would like to beef up my lower body.

    Thanks for contributing and I wish you continued success!
  • purplecharm
    purplecharm Posts: 446 Member
    bump
  • sarahrbraun
    sarahrbraun Posts: 2,261 Member
    the more I think about it, the more I think I might be an IT body type too.

    I was about 30 lbs heavier than this when I started trying to lose weight a year ago
    8193374926_e25182cc2b.jpg
    0120100909 by crochetmom2010, on Flickr

    this is me in November, almost exactly the same weight, but after doing some heavy lifting.
    8193379046_12510bafc2.jpg
    IMG00817-20121113-0848 by crochetmom2010, on Flickr

    my hips, thighs, etc are currently the same size they were 10 years ago when I was 25 lbs lighter! My thighs are pretty solid...

    Congrats on your weight loss and thanks for sharing pics! I agree that you have the IT body type because your shoulders are wider than your hips and you have great legs. Now that you've mentioned not gaining any weight in your thighs or hips despite your weight gain, I don't think that I have gained any weight in my lower half either despite all the weight that I've gain. I rarely wear pants, but when I do, people always think I've lost weight because my bottom half is much smaller than my top half. I am going to look in to weight training because I would like to beef up my lower body.

    Thanks for contributing and I wish you continued success!

    I did gain weight there...but it was one of the first places that I lost! I have this little booty and slimish thighs. I told someone last week that I look like an ice cream cone--my head and torso are the scoop, and from the waist down is the cone.
  • junip1977
    junip1977 Posts: 111 Member
    Wow, I love this thread!! I have always hated my shape. My shoulders are wider than my hips, my waist is the same as my hips and just goes straight down and my legs are so skinny. It sucks having to buy clothes because even at my thinnest I was still a big size at my waist because of the fact that I just go straight and don't curve in. I don't have any pics yet either, just started my weight loss journey and hoping to finally have success!!
  • purplecharm
    purplecharm Posts: 446 Member
    Wow, I love this thread!! I have always hated my shape. My shoulders are wider than my hips, my waist is the same as my hips and just goes straight down and my legs are so skinny. It sucks having to buy clothes because even at my thinnest I was still a big size at my waist because of the fact that I just go straight and don't curve in. I don't have any pics yet either, just started my weight loss journey and hoping to finally have success!!

    I know what you mean and yes it does suck to buy clothes.

    I want to lose a 100 lbs, which would bring me down to 140 lbs. I am 5'8" and I am curious what size I will be at the top since my shoulders are so broad.
  • Blueyedbethie82
    Blueyedbethie82 Posts: 2
    OMG! I really thought there was none of us out there! I'm so happy to talk to someone who is struggling with the same things I am. I have been heavy for the majority of my life, except for my teen years and early twenties when I was a dancer. I did ballet mostly and NEVER had the right body type no matter how hard I tried to lose the extra weight up top. It was also a burden on the guys who were supposed to pick me up; I always apologized during or after each lift. And leaping into the air was a huge challenge. I was always so much bigger in my shoulders and back than any other ballerina I've ever seen. It was very difficult for me to get up en pointe, but I was determined, so I did it. But, after I quit ballet and just stuck to teaching dance (ballet, jazz, hip hop, tap, and acro), I put on more weight. And then I got pregnant, was put on bed rest from a complicated pregnancy, and gained 80 pounds. I am still carrying around about 60lbs of that weight 6 years later. I have, within the last couple weeks, made it my goal to live healthily (I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and Crohn's Disease.) It is more important than ever to get fit. I don't have any pictures yet (I'm only waiting on my camera battery to recharge), but I will soon. I'm huge around the bust, shoulders, and back but quite little in my waist and hips. I measured myself today and my bust is 9 inches bigger than my hips. I wonder if all the muscle I needed in my legs to dance actually made my problem more noticeable. You'll see that I have very small, muscular legs (you can see the muscle even through the fat), with a large stomach and arms. It's almost impossible to find clothes that accentuate my small waist, but I have found something. It's a "box cut" shirt that fits well around the shoulders, but are a little loose around the middle (there's some extra material to make it look "flowy"), but when it gets to the hips, there's elastic at the bottom and it fits tight to your body. So, it accentuates our small hips and legs while hiding how truly big we are up on top and around the middle (for those of us who aren't at our goal weight yet.) I will probably wear these types of shirts until I've lost some weight up on top. Also, the shirts (and dresses) that have the "square cut" at the neckline actually make you look smaller. The way the top is cut, it makes it seem like your shoulders "should" be that big. V necks accentuate how much difference there is between the middle of your chest and your shoulders. The less material there, girls, the better. :happy: I have a friend with whom we're doing this together, so I have her support as well as any other girls I can find through this website. I know how to lose weight; what foods to eat and how much exercise (If you guys want my tips and tricks, just let me know). It's just a matter of doing it. I used to be able to lose 7 pounds a week when I really needed to (usually for competitions or when my weight had gotten just too large to get en pointe.) But, that rapid weight loss isn't good for a long run and will end up doing more damage than good. I also know how to maintain a healthy weight and lean muscle mass as an ex dancer and teacher, which are the tips I would be sharing. :wink: I've just been really, really lazy. And my life is usually pretty hectic to it's hard to eat right and get the right kind of exercise I should be getting. I wish you all the best in our goals and I'd like to keep up with how every one does over time!.

    ~ Beth :happy:
  • RobinC37
    RobinC37 Posts: 242 Member
    Gonna try posting pictures for the first time on here! Hope it works! I'm pretty sure I'm an inverted triangle shape. Always had banging legs with a thick trunk. Right now I'm L/XL in tops and 8-10 in jeans. Thanks for some motivation to keep pushing. I always feel like I look so darn disproportionate. Right now I'm 203 at 5'11.5

    Sitting down it's very obvious how wide my shoulders are.
    229608_1565287098854_869095_n.jpg

    I have very few front on photos because I'm so self conscious of my broad shoulders. Here's a back:
    281346_1574996541584_1043392_n.jpg

    Here's one from during my 60lb weightloss:
    28526_1258325945017_8068726_n.jpg

    And from before:
    27028_1224579021365_7421997_n.jpg

    15936_1198178001356_2516155_n.jpg
  • beautifulbeast11
    beautifulbeast11 Posts: 202 Member
    I've alwys been told I have a big back and shoulders for my lanky size... and I hated it... but now that I'm lifting more, I don't mind it as much...

    I've been doing more lat work so that it shapes my body for me... AND glutes so that there is more curve there to make me a little less straight and narrow.

    photo1_zpsb04b5bf7.jpg
  • tessaeve
    tessaeve Posts: 75 Member
    Hi all! I'm an inverted triangle too. I don't have any new pictures but I have lost 70 lbs and I am learning to love my body. (i'll make some soon) I am currently wearing a size 7 pants and a large to extra large shirt. No waist whatsoever. My waist measurement and my hip measurement are both 34". My chest/shoulder measurement is 44".
    I have found that I cannot carry "a few extra lbs." because it is all on my upper body. Finding clothing is an almost impossible task but the jr department pants fit much better, no mashed potato butt and the waistlines are not as nipped in. I have have come to the realization that t-shirts are terrible on my body type. Kind of makes me look like a moving truck but they are a hard habit to break.
    I started circuit training over the past couple of months and really like the way it is leaning out my upper body without adding more bulk. I still have the linebacker shoulders but they have more definition to them.
  • purplecharm
    purplecharm Posts: 446 Member
    So glad this thread was revived.

    @blueeyedbethie82 Thanks for sharing your story and thanks for the info regarding box cut shirts.

    @robinc37 Thanks for sharing your pics. Congrats on your weight loss. You look amazing. That would be me too with the banging legs and thick trunk.

    @cmarieleep Thanks for sharing your pics. Your shoulders are beautiful. I am definitely going to work on defining my shoulders.

    @tessaeve I measured my waist and hips the other day and they are the same size, too. My waist and hips are 40". I can't even imagine what my chest/shoulder measurement is but I know that it is much wider than my hips and waist. All my excess weight goes to my upper body, too. I think that inverted triangles look best when we are fit and not overweight. Most of us just don't carry extra weight as well as some of the other body shapes. Thanks for the tip on buying pants in the jr dept.
  • purplecharm
    purplecharm Posts: 446 Member
    btw, feel free to add me if you have an inverted triangle shape. :flowerforyou:
  • salgalbp
    salgalbp Posts: 218 Member
    Well jeez, I thought it was considered an Apple Shape? Now I have a new word for it!

    Yup, cheers to your triangle sister you've got a friend! ME!

    Built like a brick **** house up top and look like I'm carrying a load from that house in my jeans because my father so lovingly passed down that gene called the "Backa$$" - where my back runs into my *kitten*.

    I think you can look at some of my before and afters on my profile but I was saddened this weekend when I put a bikini on for the first time IN MY LIFE this weekend as I wanted to take pictures to monitor my progress visually. When I looked in the mirror I gave myself the nod that "Hey, this isn't so bad" and then I reviewed the pictures and I GASPED!

    I've worked VERY hard in the gym and my legs are toned like nobody's business and my cute little hinder is getting firmer, but then in the pics I was so sad that I looked like a linebacker up top and because my middle is STRAIGHT it looks like a fudgesicle on a stick (ya know the upper body plopped on the stick)

    I can do a lot with clothes to give the illusion that I have a waist. BELTS, BELTS and more BELTS! (Definitly my Mother's Daughter there).

    I know a IFBB PRO (Body Builder) who is 6'2 and female and ripped who has had our same issue. I am going to speak to her after this weekend of bikini picture taking and devise a plan to help me with this as I know she's done it. If I come up with something I will be sure to share!!!

    Best of luck inverted triangle sister!
    Sal
  • pcotter54
    pcotter54 Posts: 707 Member
    bump
  • purplecharm
    purplecharm Posts: 446 Member
    Well jeez, I thought it was considered an Apple Shape? Now I have a new word for it!

    Yup, cheers to your triangle sister you've got a friend! ME!

    Built like a brick **** house up top and look like I'm carrying a load from that house in my jeans because my father so lovingly passed down that gene called the "Backa$$" - where my back runs into my *kitten*.

    I think you can look at some of my before and afters on my profile but I was saddened this weekend when I put a bikini on for the first time IN MY LIFE this weekend as I wanted to take pictures to monitor my progress visually. When I looked in the mirror I gave myself the nod that "Hey, this isn't so bad" and then I reviewed the pictures and I GASPED!

    I've worked VERY hard in the gym and my legs are toned like nobody's business and my cute little hinder is getting firmer, but then in the pics I was so sad that I looked like a linebacker up top and because my middle is STRAIGHT it looks like a fudgesicle on a stick (ya know the upper body plopped on the stick)

    I can do a lot with clothes to give the illusion that I have a waist. BELTS, BELTS and more BELTS! (Definitly my Mother's Daughter there).

    I know a IFBB PRO (Body Builder) who is 6'2 and female and ripped who has had our same issue. I am going to speak to her after this weekend of bikini picture taking and devise a plan to help me with this as I know she's done it. If I come up with something I will be sure to share!!!

    Best of luck inverted triangle sister!
    Sal

    I checked out your profile pics and you look amazing. Congrats on your weight loss success. :flowerforyou:

    I too inherited the "backass" gene from my dad, too lol.

    I'm definitely interesting in hearing input from your bodybuilder friend.
  • salgalbp
    salgalbp Posts: 218 Member
    I checked out your profile pics and you look amazing. Congrats on your weight loss success. :flowerforyou:

    I too inherited the "backass" gene from my dad, too lol.

    I'm definitely interesting in hearing input from your bodybuilder friend.
    [/quote]

    THANKS! :) - I am reading up on this so very much because I thought I was doing well and based on my before pictures I am very much so. I have a ways to go with bulking the lower 1/2 of me but I am DETERMINED to slim down the middle, tone up the top and bulk up the bottom! Great post and it's given me a lot of insight! Thanks so very much! - Sal (When I find out more I'll be in touch!)
  • FierceFox81
    FierceFox81 Posts: 89
    So happy you posted this! Like many other women on here I wasn't really sure what type I fit into. Now I know...triangle for sure! I've lost a few pounds. Still no hips (but I have a bubble butt), waist got flatter and my shoulders stayed about the same. I'm a little bummed my boobs and butt didn't change...boyfriend is happy :)

    Guess I'd rather have strong shoulders then thunder thighs. So I can't complain to much.
  • binglebandit
    binglebandit Posts: 531 Member
    Bump!

    Great thread, don't see many inverted triangles. Wish all of you the best on your journeys. :flowerforyou:

    Can't say I'm a triangle. My shoulders are huge and hardly ever fit into women's clothes, but I also have a huge frame in general (I'm 5'11") and my hips are just as huge. It would probably be more accurate to call myself a potato, with big everything. lol

    I have noticed that my shoulders and arms are looking much smaller and more petite after losing almost 60lbs. Don't know that I'd wear a cap sleeve yet though. :laugh:
  • kittyhorn
    kittyhorn Posts: 112 Member
    Wow!! You have beautiful legs!!
  • purplecharm
    purplecharm Posts: 446 Member
    Wow!! You have beautiful legs!!

    Thank you! :smile:
  • blissfulself
    blissfulself Posts: 193 Member
    since finding out the proper name for my body type from this thread I have been looking up the best clothes and such for inverted triangle shapes and I've come across SEVERAL posts that say inverted triangle body is the SECOND most desirable body type (behind hourglass). Our bodies are beautiful anyways, but also have tons of potential to look amazing! yaaah us

    http://www.myprivatestylist.com/horizontal-proportions/
  • purplecharm
    purplecharm Posts: 446 Member
    since finding out the proper name for my body type from this thread I have been looking up the best clothes and such for inverted triangle shapes and I've come across SEVERAL posts that say inverted triangle body is the SECOND most desirable body type (behind hourglass). Our bodies are beautiful anyways, but also have tons of potential to look amazing! yaaah us

    http://www.myprivatestylist.com/horizontal-proportions/


    Woohoo! :drinker:

    Thanks for the link!
  • fitintherain
    fitintherain Posts: 1
    Omg! I signed up just because of this thread..I too am an inverted triangle and I thought I was alone! I too want to start my weight loss journey and hope for the best...Thanks for posting this..I want to start this with people who understand what it is like being our shape :smile:

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