Am I skinny fat?

megjeg
megjeg Posts: 18
edited November 11 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi!
Sorry if it sounds silly, but I'm confused about this. I'm a 24 y.o. girl, 5' 2" and I weigh 105 lbs (48 kgs). I've only been working out for a month now- 3 days a week of cardio (30-45 mins), 3 days a week of circuit training (30 mins), 30 mins yoga on alternate days and 1 rest day, and have lost 5 lbs in the last month and a half. Originally my goal was to get down to 100 lbs, because I thought at that weight, I wouldn't have the loose flab around my thighs and tummy.
Now I've been seeing so many posts on MFP from women who seem to be similar to my height & age, weigh 15-30 lbs more than me, but I wish I looked as lean as them! So it's not all about what you weigh?

Help?
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Replies

  • kdiamond
    kdiamond Posts: 3,329 Member
    Sounds like you are.

    I weighed 102 pounds and was 23% body fat.

    I weigh 110 pounds now and am 18% body fat....plus I have muscle and I look BETTER!

    Scale is not the way to measure fitness or looking good.

    Edited to say - I would STOP all cardio immediately (you don't need to lose any weight) and start a heavy lifting program 3-4 times a week.
  • ItsMeRebekah
    ItsMeRebekah Posts: 909 Member
    i think they "skinny fat" that likes to fly around on here is more to do with your true health. go to the doc and have them do testing to find out how "healthy" you are and that will give you an answer.. not a weight or number.
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    To know if you are skinny fat you need to get a good measurement of your body fat %. If you are thin but your body fat % is high, then you are skinny fat. If it's not high, then you are not.
  • sarafil
    sarafil Posts: 506 Member
    same as above, you need to get your body fat percentage measured to know where you stand. At this point it doesn't sound like you need to lose weight, I would think you would want to focus on the body fat. Lifting heavy weights could be great for this.
  • megjeg
    megjeg Posts: 18
    Thanks guys! Ok, I will get my body fat measured. Just for reference, what %age is too high?
  • megjeg
    megjeg Posts: 18
    Sounds like you are.

    I weighed 102 pounds and was 23% body fat.

    I weigh 110 pounds now and am 18% body fat....plus I have muscle and I look BETTER!

    Scale is not the way to measure fitness or looking good.

    Edited to say - I would STOP all cardio immediately (you don't need to lose any weight) and start a heavy lifting program 3-4 times a week.

    Thank you! Was feeling very lost before reading this. Do you have any recommendations for heavy lifting? Have never tried it! :-s..

    Also, I took a look at your pictures and You Look Awesome! That is so what I hope to be like.
  • Bridget0927
    Bridget0927 Posts: 438 Member
    Women %s:

    Essential: 10-13
    Athlete: 14-20
    Fitness: 21-24
    Acceptable: 25-31
    Overweight: 32

    Just had mine done yesterday at the gym was at 24% and was given the above chart. Most gyms have at least the handheld
  • christibam
    christibam Posts: 478 Member
    AHHHH I love skinny fat people! My buddy Josh is "skinny fat" and I keep telling him to get off his butt and lift weights, strength train, etc. He keeps telling me he's just so thin and I'm like, "Yeah.... but you're skinny fat, Bromigo." He's pudgy for a tiny dude. So yeah, it happens.
  • FitForLife81
    FitForLife81 Posts: 372 Member
    Yup i agree with the above posters get your bf% tested =) I am 5'3" and weigh 110 and my bf% is 14.7%! I agree drop the cardio and just strength train =)
  • christibam
    christibam Posts: 478 Member


    Do you have any recommendations for heavy lifting? Have never tried it! :-s..



    Here's some stuff that my sister in law told me. (I'm just giving you the link to look over because I don't want to take up a ton of room in your thread)

    I don't think you should do that much cardio but i think that 20 minutes 3 times a week of cardio is good for anyone. It's not all about losing fat. It's about making your heart stronger. :)

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/506806-diet-and-exercise-tips-from-my-sister-in-law-the-fitness-mo
  • amuhlou
    amuhlou Posts: 693 Member
    I think it's a bit drastic to stop cardio altogether, considering that EVERYONE should get at least some cardio activity regardless of whether they're trying to lose weight.

    In the US, we have the following recommendation: "Adults should do at least 2 hours and 30 minutes each week of aerobic physical activity at a moderate level OR 1 hour and 15 minutes each week of aerobic physical activity at a vigorous level. "

    via: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/physical-activity/amount.html
  • kmorris246
    kmorris246 Posts: 312 Member
    To all these posters discussing dropping the cardio and picking up the weights..... how do you propose to begin with this program? I feel like this is something I need to begin. Currently do strength training 3x week for about 25 min, and do cardio 5x week for anywhere between 20 min (hiit) to 50 min (kickboxing). No progress has really been made for a month or two (weight and muscle-wise). I actually gained weight, and its noticeable in my mid section.
    How much are you eating? And what type of strength training are you doing?

    Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated!
  • megjeg
    megjeg Posts: 18
    AHHHH I love skinny fat people! My buddy Josh is "skinny fat" and I keep telling him to get off his butt and lift weights, strength train, etc. He keeps telling me he's just so thin and I'm like, "Yeah.... but you're skinny fat, Bromigo." He's pudgy for a tiny dude. So yeah, it happens.

    Apparently, it does!! Glad I found people here that know about it, so I can do deal with it the right way. Thanks for the link, checking it out now :)
  • h0t_m0m
    h0t_m0m Posts: 79 Member
    I am 5'2" and weigh 108. When I had my body fat tested almost 4 weeks ago, it was 21.5%. My first goal is 17%. I want to be FIT. I have been skinny fat for far too long. I guess I thought my life of a nice body was over after having 3 kids and joining the over 30 club!! I will prove myself wrong!

    ETA: I weight train 3-4 times per week and do cardio 2 days with 1-2 days of rest. I also do some cardio after lifting for the fat burn. I want to work up to 5-6 days of lifting followed by some cardio with 1-2 days of rest.
  • megjeg
    megjeg Posts: 18
    To all these posters discussing dropping the cardio and picking up the weights..... how do you propose to begin with this program? I feel like this is something I need to begin. Currently do strength training 3x week for about 25 min, and do cardio 5x week for anywhere between 20 min (hiit) to 50 min (kickboxing). No progress has really been made for a month or two (weight and muscle-wise). I actually gained weight, and its noticeable in my mid section.
    How much are you eating? And what type of strength training are you doing?

    Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated!

    Same here!
  • fitniknik
    fitniknik Posts: 713 Member
    start lifting weights, heavy weights. "New rules of lifting for women" google it... buy the book!
  • carrie_eggo
    carrie_eggo Posts: 1,396 Member
    I asked this exact same question about 4 months ago. The definition is pretty vague and varies depending on who you ask. In my opinion, it all comes down to how you feel when you look in the mirror/wear a bikini/etc. Most people will find that they have reached their goal weight and still aren't happy with they way they look, which is what happened to me.The cure is heavy resistance training, as mentioned above. Eat at maintenance and lift heavy, and you can change your body for the better.... regardless of what the scale says.

    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/exercise-and-weightfat-loss-part-2.html

    http://www.amazon.com/New-Rules-Lifting-Women-Goddess/dp/1583333398/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330443482&sr=8-1

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/771-women-strength-training

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/102-new-rules-of-lifting-for-women-nrol4w

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Rae6503/view/fear-of-the-bulk-proved-unfounded-215087
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    Sounds like you are.

    I weighed 102 pounds and was 23% body fat.

    I weigh 110 pounds now and am 18% body fat....plus I have muscle and I look BETTER!

    Scale is not the way to measure fitness or looking good.

    Edited to say - I would STOP all cardio immediately (you don't need to lose any weight) and start a heavy lifting program 3-4 times a week.

    ^ This,

    Cardio is good for increasing endurance, strengthening the heart, and allowing you to eat more, but is not going to change your body composition. To do that you need to eat enough protein and start a heavy lifting program. I would suggest new rules of lifting for women, or stronglifts 5x5
  • cwbzfan
    cwbzfan Posts: 14
    Sounds like you are.

    I weighed 102 pounds and was 23% body fat.

    I weigh 110 pounds now and am 18% body fat....plus I have muscle and I look BETTER!

    Scale is not the way to measure fitness or looking good.

    Edited to say - I would STOP all cardio immediately (you don't need to lose any weight) and start a heavy lifting program 3-4 times a week.

    Thank you! Was feeling very lost before reading this. Do you have any recommendations for heavy lifting? Have never tried it! :-s..

    Also, I took a look at your pictures and You Look Awesome! That is so what I hope to be like.

    Check out Bodybuilding.com. They have a lot of different types of lifting programs and a ton of information on lifting, nutrition, etc. I've found the site to be very helpful and continually switch up my lifting program based, in part, on the information on this site - have dropped about 12% body fat and toned up a lot.
  • HotHol
    HotHol Posts: 52 Member
    You should do Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred or Ripped in 30 workout DVD...they are only 27 min long....I've been doing themfor about 40 days now and have seen amazing results!...I too am 5'2, and I hover around 117. I have lost a couple pounds but have mostly noticed my body changing...abs, arms etc. Maybe you should give it a try?
  • Buckeyt
    Buckeyt Posts: 473 Member
    Sounds like you are.

    I weighed 102 pounds and was 23% body fat.

    I weigh 110 pounds now and am 18% body fat....plus I have muscle and I look BETTER!

    Scale is not the way to measure fitness or looking good.

    Edited to say - I would STOP all cardio immediately (you don't need to lose any weight) and start a heavy lifting program 3-4 times a week.


    Awesome! Nothing will change your body the way weights will.
  • pbl1966
    pbl1966 Posts: 207 Member
    Bump.
    I am 5"2 1/2 and am down to 111, afraid to slow down the cardio but have added strength training to tone up what is left of me.
  • leahsevilla
    leahsevilla Posts: 127 Member
    Don't know if anyone has suggested this yet but check out the book New Rules of Lifting for Women. You can get it on Amazon for cheap and it has a great 6-month lifting program that is really straightforward and helpful for people new to lifting.

    good luck!
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    You should do Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred or Ripped in 30 workout DVD...they are only 27 min long....I've been doing themfor about 40 days now and have seen amazing results!...I too am 5'2, and I hover around 117. I have lost a couple pounds but have mostly noticed my body changing...abs, arms etc. Maybe you should give it a try?

    This is more of a circuit training program using light weight, it will not give you the same results as a heavy lifting routine, not even close.
  • ashdavis21
    ashdavis21 Posts: 3
    I would say that first muscle weighs more than fat so if they look more lean its becuase they have more muscle and thats why they weigh more. I saw on the Drs that there are women who eat really bad and don't exercise and thier bodies make them think they are fat but they are physically skinny. And there was a women who is bigger. and she is in awesome physical shpe. So I guess im going to guess and say yes you may be.. but hey your working out now so good luck ;)
  • kyzxsx
    kyzxsx Posts: 13
    Ooh.. I think I might be skinny fat too!

    I'm 27 5ft1 and only weigh 93lbs and my bodyfat % is 25.18 %
  • christibam
    christibam Posts: 478 Member
    To all these posters discussing dropping the cardio and picking up the weights..... how do you propose to begin with this program? I feel like this is something I need to begin. Currently do strength training 3x week for about 25 min, and do cardio 5x week for anywhere between 20 min (hiit) to 50 min (kickboxing). No progress has really been made for a month or two (weight and muscle-wise). I actually gained weight, and its noticeable in my mid section.
    How much are you eating? And what type of strength training are you doing?

    Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated!

    Click the link I posted in this thread and read my other thread. :) My sister in law gave me some awesome advice.
  • megjeg
    megjeg Posts: 18
    I asked this exact same question about 4 months ago. The definition is pretty vague and varies depending on who you ask. In my opinion, it all comes down to how you feel when you look in the mirror/wear a bikini/etc. Most people will find that they have reached their goal weight and still aren't happy with they way they look, which is what happened to me.The cure is heavy resistance training, as mentioned above. Eat at maintenance and lift heavy, and you can change your body for the better.... regardless of what the scale says.

    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/exercise-and-weightfat-loss-part-2.html

    http://www.amazon.com/New-Rules-Lifting-Women-Goddess/dp/1583333398/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330443482&sr=8-1

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/771-women-strength-training

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/102-new-rules-of-lifting-for-women-nrol4w

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/Rae6503/view/fear-of-the-bulk-proved-unfounded-215087

    Thank you for all the links :) sure helps to have a place to start. I just can't stop staring at my wobbly thighs in a bikini :(
  • WhitneyAnnabelle
    WhitneyAnnabelle Posts: 724 Member
    I'm 5'3'', 107, and I am definitely skinny fat (I've gradually come to realize this over the past few months). I used to weight train, but that was when I had a lot more fat, and I DID look bulkier because I tend to build muscle fast for a woman (I don't care what anyone says, if you have fat already on and you weight train, certain parts of you can look bulkier--in my case, it was my arms). After that, I just stopped except for intermittent times at the gym. I just ordered the New Rules book, and I am very excited to start it. I am tired of feeling this way, and I am tired that my fat loss has also stalled. Good luck to all of us, I guess :)

    Edit: I want to follow the mantra: Skinny girls look good in clothes; fit girls look good naked
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    I'm 5'3'', 107, and I am definitely skinny fat (I've gradually come to realize this over the past few months). I used to weight train, but that was when I had a lot more fat, and I DID look bulkier because I tend to build muscle fast for a woman (I don't care what anyone says, if you have fat already on and you weight train, certain parts of you can look bulkier--in my case, it was my arms). After that, I just stopped except for intermittent times at the gym. I just ordered the New Rules book, and I am very excited to start it. I am tired of feeling this way, and I am tired that my fat loss has also stalled. Good luck to all of us, I guess :)

    Edit: I want to follow the mantra: Skinny girls look good in clothes; fit girls look good naked

    This happens because the muscles under the fat store water when being worked, they do the same when you don't have fat, but they look more fit then with the layer of fat. But rest assured it is not muscle that you are gaining, it is water being stored in the muscle, and that can have the appearance of larger muscles.
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