What am I? Fat, chubby, or overweight?
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I think you are a young woman of normal weight. I think 94 pounds is a great weight to be. All you need is some strength training and a self-image boost.1
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Hello Nachise. I didn't know muscle weigh about the same as fat. So it would mean I should change my muscle and fat ratio on my body. Anyone can do weight training even someone small? I wonder if I would be allowed in gym like the YMCA in my area. Everyone looks like an adult and normal average human. I am also scared of people seeing me working out.. I have been exercising in my room with DVDs and videos online.gebeziseva wrote: »Katlover12 wrote: »Muscle does not weigh more than fat. A pound is a pound the world around. Muscle takes up less real estate than fat. Weight training will seriously help you. Gaining muscle will help to increase your metabolism and give you a true sense of empowerment.
Hello Nachise. I didn't know muscle weigh about the same as fat.
It doesn't weigh the same. When weight of things is compared it is assumed that we're talking per unit volume. So muscle weighs more than fat per unit volume. In speech the "per unit volume" is omitted but implied. This is not a matter of opinion. It is a matter of convention.
gebeziseva, what convention are you speaking of? What mysterious pseudoscience is this? If you put a pound of fat and a pound of muscle on a scale, they would both weigh one pound. There is a considerable difference in volume, ergo, my statement about muscle taking up less real estate, but they weigh exactly the same. No difference. When you talk about a pound of muscle and a pound of fat, there is no volume implication. It is just weight.
When people are losing weight, the ideal objective is to decrease fat mass and increase lean mass. This cannot be done by calorie restriction alone, so in order to reach that objective, you must incorporate exercise. Walking is a great start. Walk at least a half hour a day. If you swim, get your stroke together and swim laps. If your local Y offers aqua aerobics, go for it. Most Ys have a trainer, and you should make an appointment with that trainer to make an assessment of your fitness, and come up with a weight program for you. Everybody has to begin somewhere, and what you will find is that most people who are in the gym are concentrating on what they are doing, and not on you. Trust me on this. If you don't know how to use a certain piece of equipment, ask. Don't try to go too heavy too quickly. I have been on my journey for almost four years, and I am pleased with my results, even though I have about 30 pounds to go. Underneath my 30 pounds of fat is a lean, muscular body. It's showing a little bit more every day.1 -
Katlover12 wrote: »You look like a normal weight to me. I agree you should do strength training (like lifting weights, sit ups, thigh exercises, etc). I'm sure others can give better advice on what kind of strength training you can start with.
Thank you Pikashel for your advice. I can't seem to do sit ups, planks, and push ups on my own very well. I do try though. I like to do squats and lunges.
When you perform planks and pushups you are lifting most of your body's weight, which is a higher amount of weight than what you would use with exercises with weights. That's why planks and pushups are so hard. For planks, try to slowly increase your duration over time. For example, if you can plank for 30 seconds now, next time try 35 seconds. Or whatever, building up slowly over time.
You can modify pushups by doing them against a counter. If you can do 10 today, try 11 in two days.
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gebeziseva wrote: »muscle weighs more than fat per unit volume... This is not a matter of opinion. It is a matter of convention.gebeziseva, what convention are you speaking of? What mysterious pseudoscience is this?
People are arguing at cross purposes her and it's getting distracting. As an engineer with expertise in mass, volume and density, may I put this to bed?
Muscle is more dense than fat. So a cubic foot of muscle weighs more than a cubic foot of fat.
My observation is that this is exactly what people mean when they say "muscle is heavier than fat" or "lead is heavier than water". A pound of lead weighs the same as a pound of water, of course it does. But a *cup* of lead weighs more.
I make this observation as someone who has to teach people about density and flotation. The term "heavier" is routinely used to mean "more dense", especially when talking about substances rather than objects. Rice is heavier than packing peanuts. Gravel is heavier than popcorn. Gold is heavier than cotton candy. These are all statements about density, and in every case, pound of each item weighs the same, but a cup weighs differently.
So you are both right, please stop arguing. Muscle is more dense than fat. So a person with high muscle mass is physically smaller than a person of the same weight who has a higher body fat percentage.
I don't think the statement is useful in any other way, except as a vague reassurance to frustrated dieters. In reality it has little relevance to short term weight gain after exercise, which is usually down to water (which, for the record, is more dense than fat, and a little less dense than muscle).
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Katlover12 wrote: »Muscle does not weigh more than fat. A pound is a pound the world around. Muscle takes up less real estate than fat. Weight training will seriously help you. Gaining muscle will help to increase your metabolism and give you a true sense of empowerment.
Hello Nachise. I didn't know muscle weigh about the same as fat. So it would mean I should change my muscle and fat ratio on my body. Anyone can do weight training even someone small? I wonder if I would be allowed in gym like the YMCA in my area. Everyone looks like an adult and normal average human. I am also scared of people seeing me working out.. I have been exercising in my room with DVDs and videos online.
Of course the Y allows adults. Are you really 19? They allow people under 18 as well but I'm not familiar with the rules. At the last Y to which I belonged teenagers under age 18 had to take an orientation or something in order to use the weights.
I suggest you join the Y and get a few sessions with a personal trainer. My old Y had a small group class "Women on Weights" that helped me get comfortable with all the weight lifting equipment in my gym and feel comfortable in any gym.2 -
Bmi 21. You are normal weight. I have skimmed some of the other posts. If anything try some weight training.0
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Of course the Y allows adults. Are you really 19? They allow people under 18 as well but I'm not familiar with the rules. At the last Y to which I belonged teenagers under age 18 had to take an orientation or something in order to use the weights.
Profile says 20, given Katlover12 says she is 19 I would say she is likely to be under 18
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tiptoethruthetulips wrote: »Of course the Y allows adults. Are you really 19? They allow people under 18 as well but I'm not familiar with the rules. At the last Y to which I belonged teenagers under age 18 had to take an orientation or something in order to use the weights.
Profile says 20, given Katlover12 says she is 19 I would say she is likely to be under 18
I would bet my last taco.0 -
zoeysasha37 wrote: »You don't look chubby or fat to me. If you want me to be honest, my suggestion would be to begin a strength training program. It will help give you the tighter appearance that I think you are seeking. I would not concentrate on losing weight though. I would eat at maintenance and lift heavy. Google new rules of lifting for women.
I like this suggestion, a lot.
Anyone can weight train. try a program like strongcurves.0 -
I also don't think you look overweight. I do believe that you need to make exercise your first priority over losing weight. When you start to feel stronger it will give you a body confidence that getting "skinny" just can't compare to.
I don't agree that there is necessarily any thing wrong with you,when it comes to your lack of confidence in the look of your body as I remember having those same insecurities at your age. 19 is very young, you still have maturing to do. That will come naturally, especially if you become a regular exerciser.
That insecurity about your body is something women of all ages struggle with at times.
I believe that jumping right into weight training for someone that can't do a plank or push up isn't the right way to go.
I recommend you start with body weight exercises. If you go on YouTube there is a girl about your size with free 30 day challenges you can sign up for. Her name is Betty Rocker. I'm sure if you see her you'll see what people are telling you about gaining muscle, She is small but tight, and makes working out fun.
Once you have built the strength to do basic exercises such as planks, tricep dips, push ups, you can move on to lifting if you want later.
Good luck to you with your goals, but you are already beautiful as you are.1 -
I forgot to add...Betty Rockers 30 day challenges are only 15 minute workouts that as you get stronger you can repeat 2-3 rounds as you get fitter. But she has modifiers for beginners and the 15 minutes is a great start.0
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kshama2001 wrote: »Katlover12 wrote: »Muscle does not weigh more than fat. A pound is a pound the world around. Muscle takes up less real estate than fat. Weight training will seriously help you. Gaining muscle will help to increase your metabolism and give you a true sense of empowerment.
Hello Nachise. I didn't know muscle weigh about the same as fat. So it would mean I should change my muscle and fat ratio on my body. Anyone can do weight training even someone small? I wonder if I would be allowed in gym like the YMCA in my area. Everyone looks like an adult and normal average human. I am also scared of people seeing me working out.. I have been exercising in my room with DVDs and videos online.
Of course the Y allows adults. Are you really 19? They allow people under 18 as well but I'm not familiar with the rules. At the last Y to which I belonged teenagers under age 18 had to take an orientation or something in order to use the weights.
I suggest you join the Y and get a few sessions with a personal trainer. My old Y had a small group class "Women on Weights" that helped me get comfortable with all the weight lifting equipment in my gym and feel comfortable in any gym.
I do know the YMCA allows adults. I just didn't know if I could fit in due to my appearances. Yes, As I read a post by frankiesgirlie, she says best to work on body weight exercising. If I can't support my own body weight then I likely couldn't handle weight lifting just yet. I will look into joining YMCA and getting a suggestion with a personal trainer. Thanks for replying and offering your thoughts.tiptoethruthetulips wrote: »Of course the Y allows adults. Are you really 19? They allow people under 18 as well but I'm not familiar with the rules. At the last Y to which I belonged teenagers under age 18 had to take an orientation or something in order to use the weights.
Profile says 20, given Katlover12 says she is 19 I would say she is likely to be under 18frankiesgirlie wrote: »I also don't think you look overweight. I do believe that you need to make exercise your first priority over losing weight. When you start to feel stronger it will give you a body confidence that getting "skinny" just can't compare to.
I don't agree that there is necessarily any thing wrong with you,when it comes to your lack of confidence in the look of your body as I remember having those same insecurities at your age. 19 is very young, you still have maturing to do. That will come naturally, especially if you become a regular exerciser.
That insecurity about your body is something women of all ages struggle with at times.
I believe that jumping right into weight training for someone that can't do a plank or push up isn't the right way to go.
I recommend you start with body weight exercises. If you go on YouTube there is a girl about your size with free 30 day challenges you can sign up for. Her name is Betty Rocker. I'm sure if you see her you'll see what people are telling you about gaining muscle, She is small but tight, and makes working out fun.
Once you have built the strength to do basic exercises such as planks, tricep dips, push ups, you can move on to lifting if you want later.
Good luck to you with your goals, but you are already beautiful as you are.
Hello frankiegirlie, I appreciate your reply to my thread. That is such a a great suggestion. It changed my way of thinking. It makes much more logical sense to work on body weight exercises before weight training. I thought I had to go into weight training/ lift training first. Yes, lack of confidence is kind of normal right. I would rather have lack of confidence than be lofty and self-centered. I am afraid of having too much confidence that I can't see anything around me. I hope that makes sense. I am looking her up and watching her videos now. Thank you for recommending her.
Again, I am very happy to receive replies and responses to my post. I was confused about where I belong. I did research online in past and remember reading about skinny fat. I would say I am skinny fat. I guess it doesn't matter where I fit as long as I start changing my focus from losing weight to gaining muscles. I needed confirmation that I wasn't at least obese. I hear about how overweight and obesity is prevalent and common in US. My doctor did mention I had little muscle. Have a nice day or evening everyone.0 -
Katlover12 wrote: »Yes, I would feel better when I can see changes. I did use BMI calculator online before. I don't feel it is the best way to measure body mass. Due to my short height, doesn't the BMI not work as well? Not many are this short so they don't have good standards for people around my height. I will aim for 5kg then instead of 9kg. Thank you for calculations and your knowledge.
The BMI calculation is at it's MOST accurate from 4'10" to 5'2". It's based at a height of 5'0" and has a linear (increasing) rate of error as you get farther away from 5'0". So it's more accurate for you than it is for a woman of average height, and far more accurate than it is for a man of average height or taller.2
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