I'M NOT OVERWEIGHT BUT I'M STILL FAT, PLEASE ADVISE

I store most of my fat on my legs. Lifting has helped. My legs look 100% better than they did. But I'm always going to be shaped the way I'm shaped.

You have to realize that while you can change to a certain extent, you can't change your genetics. So just aim for being the best that you can be and try not to compare yourself to others. They are probably looking at you and wishing they had some of your strengths.

So my advice is two-fold. First, start lifting heavy. You can either eat at a slight deficit (5% tops) or at maintenance (to recomp and slowly lower your body fat percentage). Start taking pictures and measurements and don't worry about the scale at this point. You'll see some water weight gain when you start lifting. That's okay. Give it at least a month to go down. Second, work on your self-talk. Find the things that you like about your body and make an effort to notice them when you look in the mirror.

this

http://startingstrength.wikia.com/wiki/The_Starting_Strength_Novice/Beginner_Programs

Sorry I missed the part about lifting. Get a beginner compound barbell routine like Stronglifts or Starting Strength.

I think you will see a lot of improvement if you start up a real strength training program. There are many options as mentioned in this thread such as The New Rules of Lifting for Women or any of the other New Rules books. I prefer The New Rules of Lifting for Life (it's an excellent beginner program, and allows for progression or any level). The New Rules of Lifting Supercharged is great also. http://www.thenewrulesoflifting.com

My favorite is Strong Curves by Bret Contreras bretcontreras.com This is an excellent program to work on your "problem" area (booty and legs).

Good exercises with heavy (for you) weights and increasing as you get stronger and better at it: Hip thrusts and Glute bridges, Deadlifts, Squats, Lunges or Split Squats, High Step ups, Glute kickbacks or Quadriped Hip Extensions (this is usually called something like a Butt Blaster), Abduction, and a lot more (I know I'm forgetting stuff right now). These are just some basics to start with.

You aren't fat. You just want lower bodyfat and something different in your fitness, physique, body composition. And it's ok that you want that, lots of people are here doing that.

I know the feeling. I'm 7.5 stones and 5ft4, yet I'm huge.

Isn't that 105 pounds?

yeah. but i don't look it. I look fat.

As mentioned, you likely would benefit from strength training. However, according to many experienced people, you will not be able to build muscles in a calorie deficit. So start strength training (I do body weight exercises at home), eat more (healthy, nutrient dense food), and be patient. BMI is really a poor indicator of health. You could actually gain weight and yet be healthier and have less fat than you do now once you get into a good strength training routine..

And, it's quite obvious that your perception of yourself is overly critical and needs to be improved. Nothing good comes from hating our bodies. You only get one so love it and treat it with respect. Stop comparing yourself to other people and stop trying to live up to a fake image of perfection. I'm in my 40s too and I'm so done with the self hate. Completely over it.

I don't want to 'live up to a fake image of perfection' I just want to be able to wear shorts in the summer! & with MY legs, I can't
Also, I mentioned, I DO do weights, isn't that 'compound/resistance exercise?

Who is stopping you from wearing shorts? Is it at gun point? You have such negative talk about your body you could never look good enough to be satisfied. No one cares about your legs and if they do then they have their own problems they need to address. You CAN wear shorts if you choose to.

My legs don't look much different than yours, likely worse. I have saggy skin on my thighs because I used to be so heavy and did lots of yo-yoing on conventional diets. I don't care. I wear shorts, skirts, bathing suits. I'll do whatever I want. I love my body. It is healthy and strong and I won't get another one. I regret treating it like crap and hating it for so long.

Really, I'm trying to give you the best advice ever. Love yourself. Respect yourself. Work on your self-dialogue. You are reducing your quality of life for nothing. Improve your health by all means, but forget the putting yourself down. Nothing is gained by self-hate. Forget wasting energy on worrying about what others might be thinking. Life is too short for that.

Jesus, why are you being nasty? I DON'T HATE MYSELF! I DON'T PUT MYSELF DOWN! This website is FULL of people wanting to improve their physical appearance, including you, it doesn't mean we all hate ourselves fgs. Of course no-one is putting a gun to my head telling me I can't wear shorts. I'm only asking advise on how I can tone my chubby legs, this does NOT mean I hate myself, or compare myself to other people or (you forgot to say this one-) have low self esteem. Bloody Hell!

Are you serious? Wow.

You need to re-read your posts. If talking about yourself like that is healthy and normal for you, well, my bad. Sorry for wasting my time on trying to give some advice that could enrich your quality of life. Enjoy missing out on wearing shorts or doing whatever you want because of your "tree trunk, fat and wobbly, saddlebag" legs. :sad:

wow, what is your problem? she's only asking a question & your basically saying EVERYONE who wants to shift a bit of fat has self loathing issues!

As mentioned, you likely would benefit from strength training. However, according to many experienced people, you will not be able to build muscles in a calorie deficit. So start strength training (I do body weight exercises at home), eat more (healthy, nutrient dense food), and be patient. BMI is really a poor indicator of health. You could actually gain weight and yet be healthier and have less fat than you do now once you get into a good strength training routine..

And, it's quite obvious that your perception of yourself is overly critical and needs to be improved. Nothing good comes from hating our bodies. You only get one so love it and treat it with respect. Stop comparing yourself to other people and stop trying to live up to a fake image of perfection. I'm in my 40s too and I'm so done with the self hate. Completely over it.

I don't want to 'live up to a fake image of perfection' I just want to be able to wear shorts in the summer! & with MY legs, I can't
Also, I mentioned, I DO do weights, isn't that 'compound/resistance exercise?

Who is stopping you from wearing shorts? Is it at gun point? You have such negative talk about your body you could never look good enough to be satisfied. No one cares about your legs and if they do then they have their own problems they need to address. You CAN wear shorts if you choose to.

My legs don't look much different than yours, likely worse. I have saggy skin on my thighs because I used to be so heavy and did lots of yo-yoing on conventional diets. I don't care. I wear shorts, skirts, bathing suits. I'll do whatever I want. I love my body. It is healthy and strong and I won't get another one. I regret treating it like crap and hating it for so long.

Really, I'm trying to give you the best advice ever. Love yourself. Respect yourself. Work on your self-dialogue. You are reducing your quality of life for nothing. Improve your health by all means, but forget the putting yourself down. Nothing is gained by self-hate. Forget wasting energy on worrying about what others might be thinking. Life is too short for that.

Get off your high horse, I bet 99% of us on here want to change SOMETHING about ourselves, that's why a lot of us are here, to lose weight, to tone up, to gain muscle etc.

I am so happy for you that you are happy with your 'saggy skin' on your thighs. Not everyone is.

Working out is the way to go. I'm not a dietician but there's no reason to eat at a calorie deficit if you're not overweight. Eat healthy and do both, cardio & strength workouts

I agree with everyone else, you need to lift weights, really lift.

You could stand to lose a few pounds, maybe get down to 115. That would put you in the middle of the BMI for your height. But mostly you need to lift weights.

I really hate that people are so hard on themselves. I weigh probably double what you do OP and my legs are far from perfect but fk it, they are my legs and if people don't like then they don't have to look.

I've been through the whole 'can't wear shorts', 'can't wear skirts' thing and it sucks so NO MORE!

Okay, dislike parts of yourself but work to change it and don't be negative about yourself (no I'm not just talking about you OP). Be proud to be uniquely you and that you are working towards a goal :happy:

How can people be 'huge' at 105lbs. That really isn't a healthy self image...

You need to accept your body the way it is. I'm a lot like you. No matter what my size is, my thighs are always going to look heavier to me. And I've learned to accept it. I have an hourglass figure so it would be impossible for me to not have the thighs I have. It would be strange if I had all of a sudden super skinny thighs.

I don't wear shorts because I find other things to wear that are more flattering to my body. That's my choice. If you want to wear shorts, wear them. I've seen all shapes and sizes in shorts so I don't think it's as big of a deal as you think it is.