If I'm not "overweight" why do I look fat?

potatoprincess · April 2012

Can someone explain this to me. According to all the healthy weight charts I've found, I'm not overweight (5'2 and 116-118lbs). Who makes these healthy weight charts? I can tell I'm not a healthy size. All my weight sits right at my belly giving me the dreaded pot belly apple shape. I feel like even if I lose ten pounds, it won't be enough to make my mid-section attractive. Is it possible I have a "small frame" and could go down to 100 lbs without being "underweight"? Help me out guys, you all probably know better than me.

mccarol1956 · April 2012

Perhaps what you need to do is tone, not lose weight? I am no expert just my uneducated guess.

sfoxy219 · April 2012

Your skinny fat. This means you are not over weight or actually fat, your small but you have no muscle. So your skin, bone and fat. If you gain 10 pounds in muscle you'll look so much smaller and lose fat. Being 120 in muscle is way more attractive then 110 in just plain skinny.

Like this http://www.google.com/imgres?start=168&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS370&biw=1366&bih=667&tbm=isch&tbnid=preizvZ9Ix3QGM:&imgrefurl=http://www.fortiusfitness.com/blog/skinny-fat/&docid=t6a2ABAGW7lLGM&imgurl=http://fortiusfitness.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/skinny-fat.jpg&w=425&h=329&ei=eGiGT4GYB8eE8AHygvyRCA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=185&vpy=320&dur=871&hovh=197&hovw=255&tx=150&ty=100&sig=101656851431355416405&page=8&tbnh=143&tbnw=185&ndsp=25&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:168,i:248

Kymmu · April 2012

I'm 5'4 and your weight....I think you are in a healthy weight range, but prefer to look thinner - just shift those last few lbs with a super clean diet and regular walks. You will not be unhealthy.

emgawne · April 2012

I would look to start changing your body composition. If your body fat % is high it will make a big difference in how you feel/look.
I would find out what your % is and start tracking that as you seem to be in a healthy weight range already.

My suggestion would be to start adding weight lifting to your workouts (if you don't already). Hope this helps.

pouringraina · April 2012

If you lift weights, it should help with that.

cookiesandjuice · April 2012

i think its all about how your body distributes the weight, my BMI says im "overweight", 4% from being "obese" but i dont think i look it! regardless, i think you look GREAT

JodieElijah · April 2012

Have you tried doing any ab exercises to tone up your midsection? This may help.

potatoprincess · April 2012

Thank you! This is exactly the kind of advice I was looking for.

You're all so supportive.

aaaaaamy · April 2012

I'm not 'overweight' either but that doesn't mean I have to be happy with my body! My starting weight on here is lower than most people's goal weight, but that doesn't make my weight loss journey any less important - it's about being the best me that I can be. My goal weight is stil in the 'normal' BMI range, but right down the other end to where I am now. I'm short and have a tiny frame and have barely any muscle so I look gross with a few extra kilos. Do what you need to do to make yourself happy, the stats don't fit everyone!

Bikini_Bound150 · April 2012

Your skinny fat. This means you are not over weight or actually fat, your small but you have no muscle. So your skin, bone and fat. If you gain 10 pounds in muscle you'll look so much smaller and lose fat. Being 120 in muscle is way more attractive then 110 in just plain skinny.

Like this http://www.google.com/imgres?start=168&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS370&biw=1366&bih=667&tbm=isch&tbnid=preizvZ9Ix3QGM:&imgrefurl=http://www.fortiusfitness.com/blog/skinny-fat/&docid=t6a2ABAGW7lLGM&imgurl=http://fortiusfitness.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/skinny-fat.jpg&w=425&h=329&ei=eGiGT4GYB8eE8AHygvyRCA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=185&vpy=320&dur=871&hovh=197&hovw=255&tx=150&ty=100&sig=101656851431355416405&page=8&tbnh=143&tbnw=185&ndsp=25&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:168,i:248

Just to drive the point home... ^ this.

lorraine_2015 · December 2012

Im also skinny fat. Im only weighing 112 pounds but my body fat is 30%. Do you know how can I become look healthier and thinner?

ihateroses · December 2012

Just don't focus on "losing weight" but losing fat.

And make some changes in the kitchen

.

...I need to take my own advice on this one lol.

p.s. you probably only "look fat" to yourself, so I woudn't go throwing that around in the real world, its a real turnoff as far as conversations go

brevislux · December 2012

Maybe you just have a low self-esteem and you're the only one who thinks you look fat. Not trying to undermine you or anything, but we're our own's worst critics. And I totally get that, because I'm just the same.

BUT I do agree about going into strength training. I'm really glad I did that... And it really improved my self-esteem too.

Noor13 · December 2012

Time to pick up heavy weights and start lifting.

That will solve the problem. And be sure to eat sufficiently. High in protein, and clean.

Sarauk2sf · December 2012

Im also skinny fat. Im only weighing 112 pounds but my body fat is 30%. Do you know how can I become look healthier and thinner?

How tall are you?

lorraine_2015 · December 2012

Im 5' 2" tall my concern is whenever I use Omron it gives me 30% body fat. Im not sure if its healthy. Although I look fat in picture.

Sarauk2sf · December 2012

Im 5' 2" tall my concern is whenever I use Omron it gives me 30% body fat. Im not sure if its healthy. Although I look fat in picture.

Ignore those devices, they are very inaccurate, If you have extra fat, and as you are within a healthy range, then I would suggest eating at a small caloric deficit of about 250 - 300 calories and strength training.

denezy · December 2012

According to BMI, I am obese.

<---- this is me.

Athena98501 · December 2012

Im 5' 2" tall my concern is whenever I use Omron it gives me 30% body fat. Im not sure if its healthy. Although I look fat in picture.

Sweetie, I really don't think that could be accurate. I'm just 1.5 inches taller, and weigh 96 pounds more, and I'm just under 47%. I have a larger frame, but I'm not especially muscular, so I really don't see how that could be correct. I'd recommend you test with another method, because it seems to be impacting how you feel about your body. :flowerforyou:

UncleRiotous · December 2012

I'd suggest exercise, forget about what you weigh work about toning up and building muscle. You don't have to turn into a body builder but if you've got toned muscle underneath your skin it looks far better than untoned muscle.

If I'm not "overweight" why do I look fat?

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