Chest muscle question

withchaco
withchaco Posts: 1,026 Member
edited October 3 in Fitness and Exercise
Okay. I have a problem.

I have very little fat on my upper torso. In my upper chest area just above the boobs, you can see hints of the ribs!!!!! Yet the rest of my body has plenty of fat to lose. My lower belly, in particular, is bulging out.

How can I fix this? I don't want no ribs pokin' out, and I don't want all this flab around my waist, either.

If I build more chest muscle, will that cover up the ribs?

Replies

  • kevinsherrell
    kevinsherrell Posts: 21
    that sounds more like your Obliques. Generally though you want to target all muscles to grow, especially the big mucle groups like Chest, Back, Legs. Focus on big compound exercises and the smaller muscles will follow.
  • kvhmc
    kvhmc Posts: 33 Member
    It isn't the oblique muscles, those are below your breasts, it's your pectoral muscles (pecs) that are above so yes if you exercise them then they will increase in size and so your ribs will become less obvious. To lose the fat it's just the same as what everyone says; eat healthily, perform a range of cardio and strength exercises, and just make sure you're burning more calories than eating :)
  • doughnutwretch
    doughnutwretch Posts: 498 Member
    You can't spot reduce on fat so continue to maintain a caloric deficit to lose fat everywhere and strength train to build muscle. Training chest will certainly help define and build the muscle but won't necessarily cover the view of ribs.
  • withchaco
    withchaco Posts: 1,026 Member
    Thanks. Yeah, I know spot reduction is impossible, hence the problem. I guess I'll have to really increase the size of my pecs, which is going to be a challenge since I'm a woman...!
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,994 Member
    Okay. I have a problem.

    I have very little fat on my upper torso. In my upper chest area just above the boobs, you can see hints of the ribs!!!!! Yet the rest of my body has plenty of fat to lose. My lower belly, in particular, is bulging out.

    How can I fix this? I don't want no ribs pokin' out, and I don't want all this flab around my waist, either.

    If I build more chest muscle, will that cover up the ribs?
    You're talking the breast bone?
  • withchaco
    withchaco Posts: 1,026 Member
    Okay. I have a problem.

    I have very little fat on my upper torso. In my upper chest area just above the boobs, you can see hints of the ribs!!!!! Yet the rest of my body has plenty of fat to lose. My lower belly, in particular, is bulging out.

    How can I fix this? I don't want no ribs pokin' out, and I don't want all this flab around my waist, either.

    If I build more chest muscle, will that cover up the ribs?
    You're talking the breast bone?
    Not 100% sure what it's called, but it's between the collar bones and the breasts. I think it's part of the ribcage.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,994 Member
    Breast bone. Okay so then building chest muscle will help to cover it up, but to build muscle you'll have to be in calorie surplus which means you'll probably stop losing weight. Kinda sucks, but it's almost impossible to do both at the same time.
  • withchaco
    withchaco Posts: 1,026 Member
    Breast bone. Okay so then building chest muscle will help to cover it up, but to build muscle you'll have to be in calorie surplus which means you'll probably stop losing weight. Kinda sucks, but it's almost impossible to do both at the same time.
    Well, it's good to know there's hope at least. :) I'll do both, just not simultaneously.
  • trelm249
    trelm249 Posts: 777 Member
    Go ahead and start doing the bench presses and other strength training to condition the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The muscle you have already will firm up and enlarge somewhat because it is actually used.

    That way it is ready when you are ready for the next phase.
  • withchaco
    withchaco Posts: 1,026 Member
    Thanks! I will do that :)
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