Is my leg-shape goal realistic?

commandoshy
commandoshy Posts: 9
in Health and Weight Loss
So I'm a guy and I want to wear skinny jeans. Not the "slim-straight" kind that look sort of skinny (I'm already wearing those), but the really tight ones which tend to sit quite low on your hips and look very skinny (but not the girly style).

That's one of the main reasons I'm losing weight; my thighs are too wide right now and every time I sit down there's a huge glob of fleshy-fatty stuff under each leg. Most of my fat seems to be concentrated there and in my derriere.

What I'm wondering, then, is whether by losing more weight I'll actually get my legs to thin down to the point I desire before I start hitting unhealthy territory. When I last weighed myself (around August 26th I think) I was 148lb and I'm 5'10". I'm aiming for 130lb (still a healthy BMI) and though I don't have access to a scale where I am I'd guess from my diary that I've lost at least five pounds by now. My concern is whether once I get there, I'll have the shape I want.

How much of this is inherent body-shape and how much could I actually change by losing a dozen more pounds?

Note: I don't want to be muscular. I'm going for a dainty and feminine look. I do plan to get a little bit of tone after I'm done with weight loss, though.

Additional Note: This is quite important to me. I have had massive (i.e. suicidal) body image issues which are only recently beginning to recede. Even so, most days when I look in the mirror I see nothing but ugly. I'm trying to fix that and this is one possible step.

Replies

  • Muscleflex79
    Muscleflex79 Posts: 1,917 Member
    have you seen a counselor about your distorted thoughts and obsessions??
  • pander101
    pander101 Posts: 677 Member
    Do you do any cardio at this point? If you don't have a scale, use a tape measure. Stay within a healthy calorie goal.
  • juggernaut1974
    juggernaut1974 Posts: 6,212 Member
    What I'm wondering, then, is whether by losing more weight I'll actually get my legs to thin down to the point I desire before I start hitting unhealthy territory. When I last weighed myself (around August 26th I think) I was 148lb and I'm 5'10". I'm aiming for 130lb (still a healthy BMI) and though I don't have access to a scale where I am I'd guess from my diary that I've lost at least five pounds by now. My concern is whether once I get there, I'll have the shape I want.

    Maybe - but it's not possible to tell your body to lose fat in one particular spot or another (aka "spot reduce"). Generally, you can only lose more fat overall and hope your body takes it from where you want it to.

    And agree with I hope you are seeking counseling with the body image issues. That's the more important thing to get under control right now.
  • pander101
    pander101 Posts: 677 Member
    You should also get a scale if you are going by weight. Also, if you were to get to a goal weight there is also the option of lowering body fat through strength training which will help achieve a leaner look.

    From what you are describing you fall into the "skinny fat" category. Adding exercise would help you lean out.
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    Additional Note: This is quite important to me. I have had massive (i.e. suicidal) body image issues which are only recently beginning to recede. Even so, most days when I look in the mirror I see nothing but ugly. I'm trying to fix that and this is one possible step.

    Losing weight will not fix this. I strongly suggest you talk to a parent, school counselor, or doctor.
  • commandoshy
    commandoshy Posts: 9
    No need to worry about the mental health aspect, I guess I should've added that I've been receiving counselling for over a year now.
  • commandoshy
    commandoshy Posts: 9
    Other than that, what I seem to be hearing is that some exercise would help. I've done cardio in the past but right now my schedule makes it difficult (bit of a cop-out, I know). The best route, if I want to keep my weight goal, seems then to be losing the weight at my current pace (which should get me to my goal in about a month) and then doing exercise? Hopefully I'll be able to find a gym partner or something to keep me motivated.

    I know I could start exercising now but I'd rather keep things simpler and finish with my low calorie regimen, then switch to very minor bulking and maybe gain back several pounds worth of muscle.

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