Armpit fat :(

ilikeflowers · June 2011

Hi everyone, let me first say, we're on this site to get healthier and support each other. Please dont hang me because I dont have 100 pounds to lose. Everyone has different goals and body issues. I support everyone whos on their weight loss path wherever that is and I am honestly getting frustrated with not wanting to wear tank tops because of my flabby arms and underarm fat. In headshot photos I look 20 pounds heavier because of my arms.

I have a case of the "skinny fat". I'm 5'9" 128 pounds very small boned. Every body works differently, my stomach will get toned pretty quickly but my arms especially "armpit fat" are very difficult to tone and slim down. I was doing I think way too much weight two years ago on triceps (40 pounds combined on the pull down machine) and now I have fat remaining from that. I'm a little shy to post pictures... I want a strong thin body like Marisa Miller but maybe 5 pounds heavier. Im very close to my goal and am getting discouraged that I can't lose that armpit fat. What do you recommend? My diary is open, I know I eat alot of nuts but I don't eat much other fat than that. I want my shoulders to get bigger but they don't grow as fast as my triceps

I would really appreciate some support and advice!

MissingMinnesota · June 2011

Ugh I also have the armpit fat. It actually looks like a deflated armpit. I really don't know what gets rid of it other then working your back and chest and shoulder would work that area but just wanted you to know you are not the only one that hates that area.

amberlee2011 · June 2011

Hi!

Do you go to a gym? If you do, maybe you can consult with a trainer to see what they recommend for that one stubborn area you are dealing with. If you don't go to the gym, a lot of gyms (at least in Michigan) offer a one-time visit with a trainer and a week of gym time for free.

I have read in Self magazine that if you do the same routine, you will get the same results. Maybe try a new work out such as swimming or boxing and see if that helps. Maybe kickstarting a new routine is just what your body ordered.

Good luck!

LessMe2B · June 2011

Bump

muzicgurl02 · June 2011

I have you tried swimming? or water aerobics for arm strengthening? the water aerobics will really help cut down the armpit fat and bulk up your arms

brattyworm · June 2011

Maybe you could talk to a trainer and find out some exercises to target those areas specifically to tone them as opposed to just building the muscles.

angryguy77 · June 2011

This may not be what you wanted to hear and don't take it the wrong way. But I don't think you could find a guy that would complain about your figure. Meaning that you are probably the only one who see's your flaws.

Unfortunately you're body will decide what fat stores it will get rid of first. I don't think it's from lifting weights either.

You have a great physique and I wouldn't worry about this too much.

1FitMomof4Girls · June 2011

Curious to the answers

lilRicki · June 2011

what about chest presses? or pushups? I don't know, I have wicked armpit fat too...I'm trying to think what muscle group is around that area...lol try the shake weight and let me know if it works...

cweiler4 · June 2011

I don't think its so much of your diet as your hinderance. I do a lot of wide arm push ups to conquer the outer chest and outer lat area. Also plyometric or balance push ups help too. Good luck!

jujubean1992 · June 2011

i used to have that problem too. mine just kind of went away when i started working more... i work at a pizza place and we slap/spin our dough vs rolling it or using frozen so i think the motion of that is what kicked it to the curb. try a butterfly machine.

Pam3 · June 2011

hi...all i can suggest is to continue working the triceps.....in women they are one of hardest boby areas to tune, but its possible so keep it up...good luck

DizzieLittleLifter · June 2011

:flowerforyou: It's all good, we are all here for our own reasons. Be it losing weight, gaining muscle, gaining weight or just to maintain. I think you look great, but the area you are speaking of is part of the chest. In addition to lowering over all body fat, the way to "tone" that area is to do chest exercises including pushups. You've got some blessed build there on top

which is why you see the "armpit fat" Work on building muscle in he chest and you will see this decrease.

HTH

lisacierra · June 2011

try swimming...i swim 950 yards daily and really see a difference in my arm pits

TourThePast · June 2011

I was doing I think way too much weight two years ago on triceps (40 pounds combined on the pull down machine) and now I have fat remaining from that.

Firstly 40lb is not a lot of weight and secondly I don't understand your comment about having "fat remaining from that" - doing that sort of work won't give you fat or lead you to keep it, just the opposite.

want my shoulders to get bigger but they don't grow as fast as my triceps

Now I'm really confused. If you want your shoulders to get bigger you need to be doing some serious weights. No you won't bulk up massively, but if you work at it, you will build some.

Maybe you could post a bit more explaining what you mean?

bizco · June 2011

I would focus on shoulder, chest and back exercises using a loaded barbell and/or dumbbells.

Standard pushups are great; try doing 3 sets of 10 with a 1 minute rest between sets. Progress from there as your strength builds.
Other chest exercises include barbell/dumbbell bench press, dumbbell chest flyes.

Shoulder exercises include standing barbell/dumbbell shoulder press, lateral (side) raises, or bent-over raises.

Back exercises include wide grip pulldowns (requires a pulldown machine), dumbbells rows and dumbbell pullovers.

Check out this website for more exercises and instruction on proper form. http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/

kirianna55 · June 2011

You need to do the pec deck machine. According to my weight training teacher, thats the best thing for "armpit fat"

ilikeflowers · June 2011

Thank you everyone! I can't say how much of a relief it is to hear the support and know other people are dealing with the same thing. None of my friends have it, and many of them are curvier than I am but still don't! I'm happy for them for not having it but I feel silly for talking about armpit fat lol.

I'm going to try the exercises you all recommended today and I'm starting more swimming. I'm not the best swimmer but I don't mind looking like a dork if it helps tone my arms lol. As for the bust, I don't mind if it gets smaller! Just take the armpit fat with it! Itd make it easier to find clothes, I'm a little modest about low cut tops or ones that show my arms anyway. Will doing chest exercises build bigish upper chest muscles? My goal is skinny toned like Victorias Secret not thin ripped fitness model (they're both beautiful just my personal goal). How do I work outer chest? Someone recommended wide push ups I'll give that go

LimeyTart · June 2011

Are you certain that it's fat and not breast tissue?

I have something called axillary breast tissue. It's also known as ectopic or accessory breast tissue. It's an extension of breast tissue into the armpit area. It's a condition that sometimes requires surgical intervention. I discovered that mine was breast tissue when I started lactating from underneath my arms when my second child was nursing. I'm currently waiting to hear back from my plastic surgeon and insurance company about whether or not I'll be approved to have it removed. I cannot wear underwire bras (that I need to wear) because of pain caused by the underwire poking into the tissue. It sucks. I haven't worn sleeveless or strapless in over 6 years because of it.

ilikeflowers · June 2011

I was doing I think way too much weight two years ago on triceps (40 pounds combined on the pull down machine) and now I have fat remaining from that.

Firstly 40lb is not a lot of weight and secondly I don't understand your comment about having "fat remaining from that" - doing that sort of work won't give you fat or lead you to keep it, just the opposite.

want my shoulders to get bigger but they don't grow as fast as my triceps

Now I'm really confused. If you want your shoulders to get bigger you need to be doing some serious weights. No you won't bulk up massively, but if you work at it, you will build some.

Maybe you could post a bit more explaining what you mean?

Thank you. What I meant with the triceps, I want to have bigger shoulders and skinny toned rest of the arm. I wasn't watching my calories when I was doing triceps before so I had both muscle and fat doing 40 LB pull downs (not lat pull down, tricep pull down). Then I stopped working them out and now I have fat unlean triceps. Maybe that's not what caused it idk, but I do know I have flabby triceps lol. I do not, DO NOT, want to have a cut tricep line in my arm. Sorry for the caps, but for me that is not what I want. Think slighty heavier fashion model or victorias secret. I have photos in my profile of my goals, I don't have pics of my arms I'll try to put one up for reference.

As for shoulders I want them to get bigger, I like the swimmer shoulder look. I'm not the best swimmer though Ive been trying though!

ilikeflowers · June 2011

Are you certain that it's fat and not breast tissue?

I have something called axillary breast tissue. It's also known as ectopic or accessory breast tissue. It's an extension of breast tissue into the armpit area. It's a condition that sometimes requires surgical intervention. I discovered that mine was breast tissue when I started lactating from underneath my arms when my second child was nursing. I'm currently waiting to hear back from my plastic surgeon and insurance company about whether or not I'll be approved to have it removed. I cannot wear underwire bras (that I need to wear) because of pain caused by the underwire poking into the tissue. It sucks. I haven't worn sleeveless or strapless in over 6 years because of it.

I'm really sorry to hear that you have to go through that! I hope your insurance takes care of it. I'm not lactating but ive never had kids idk if I could have that. How would I know? Mines kinda separate, if I had that would it be a continuous tissue spanning from the mammories? Mines like someone put a large flabby walnut under my front armpit skin and I have a little fat roll. Sorry guys for the description

it is uncomfortable wearing underwire and I cant find a sports bra that doesn't dig in and make this big bulge stick out. Most tank tops and spagetti straps do that too it makes me really self conscious.

ilikeflowers · June 2011

I would focus on shoulder, chest and back exercises using a loaded barbell and/or dumbbells.

Standard pushups are great; try doing 3 sets of 10 with a 1 minute rest between sets. Progress from there as your strength builds.
Other chest exercises include barbell/dumbbell bench press, dumbbell chest flyes.

Shoulder exercises include standing barbell/dumbbell shoulder press, lateral (side) raises, or bent-over raises.

Back exercises include wide grip pulldowns (requires a pulldown machine), dumbbells rows and dumbbell pullovers.

Check out this website for more exercises and instruction on proper form. http://www.bodybuilding.com/exercises/

Wow thank you for the great info!!

LimeyTart · June 2011

Are you certain that it's fat and not breast tissue?

I have something called axillary breast tissue. It's also known as ectopic or accessory breast tissue. It's an extension of breast tissue into the armpit area. It's a condition that sometimes requires surgical intervention. I discovered that mine was breast tissue when I started lactating from underneath my arms when my second child was nursing. I'm currently waiting to hear back from my plastic surgeon and insurance company about whether or not I'll be approved to have it removed. I cannot wear underwire bras (that I need to wear) because of pain caused by the underwire poking into the tissue. It sucks. I haven't worn sleeveless or strapless in over 6 years because of it.

I'm really sorry to hear that you have to go through that! I hope your insurance takes care of it. I'm not lactating but ive never had kids idk if I could have that. How would I know? Mines kinda separate, if I had that would it be a continuous tissue spanning from the mammories? Mines like someone put a large flabby walnut under my front armpit skin and I have a little fat roll. Sorry guys for the description it is uncomfortable wearing underwire and I cant find a sports bra that doesn't dig in and make this big bulge stick out. Most tank tops and spagetti straps do that too it makes me really self conscious.

Oh, you can definitely get it without being pregnant or nursing. Mine is separate-ish, too. Of course, it's totally possible that you just have a stubborn area of fat, but I know a lot of women don't know that there is another possible explanation. If you want to friend me, I have a before and after (during, really) picture in my profile (I'm in my undies LOL) where you can totally see what I'm talking about.

Armpit fat :(

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