If I'm not "overweight" why do I look fat?
potatoprincess
Posts: 3
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.
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Replies
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Perhaps what you need to do is tone, not lose weight? I am no expert just my uneducated guess.0
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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:2480 -
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.0
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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.0 -
If you lift weights, it should help with that.0
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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 GREAT0
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Have you tried doing any ab exercises to tone up your midsection? This may help.0
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Thank you! This is exactly the kind of advice I was looking for. You're all so supportive.0
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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!0
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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.0 -
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?0
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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 go0 -
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.0 -
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.0 -
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?0 -
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.0
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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.0 -
According to BMI, I am obese.
<---- this is me.0 -
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:0 -
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.0
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Could you be confusing 'healthy' and 'ideal'?
Also, check out a waist-hip ratio chart/calculator.This might help give some perspective and help you see if you are just feeling big around the middle, or actually are!
While my BMI is towards the middle of healthy, my waist: hip ratio puts me almost into 'overweight' ( or whatever those charts call it). There is a history of heart problems in my family, and belly fat is part of the risk factor equation, so I recognise that for me, the lower end of the healthy BMI is probably safest.0 -
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.
As an illustration, my home scales think I'm 25% BF, while my parents' scales think I'm 30%. I like to think I might be somewhere in the middle, but mainly I know it's just nonsense.0 -
I think the mirror is the best judge..if you don't like what you see then change it..I was skinny fat last year, I was 100lbs with no muscle strength and a UK size 10 which isn't big but I'm 5 ft nothing. But I put on half a stone or more on holiday. Whoops.
Now I'm 106 but with a bit of muscle tone ( I'm still working on it ) and a UK size 6. So strength training will really change how you look.1 -
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.
As an illustration, my home scales think I'm 25% BF, while my parents' scales think I'm 30%. I like to think I might be somewhere in the middle, but mainly I know it's just nonsense.
I used one of those the other day and it told me I was 30%!. My hydrostatic test has me at about 20% which is consistent with 'eyeballing' it.0 -
Several possibilities here.
First off... For your height, you could go down to 102 without being considered "underweight" although that would be, as you suggest, for small frame. You can measure your frame size at your wrist and do a search to find what measurements are right. If you are medium frame or above, 102 would of course be actually a little underweight.
Secondly, it is possible that your body concept may be askew. Some have a false sense of what a healthy weight should look like.
Thirdly and most likely, you may have lost weight via the old cardio + diet method. If this is the case, you most likely need to do some strength training. Many have alluded to this. It does not have to be expensive but I would suggest joining a gym (if you have not already) and stard doing some lifting (don't worry about bulking if you are female since unless you take hormones, you won't)... For the tummy, it is likely crunches will help bring that in... No, you cannot spot-reduce BUT you can tighten those ab muscles which will reduce your waist size.
Best wishes on finding your best body.0 -
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.
As an illustration, my home scales think I'm 25% BF, while my parents' scales think I'm 30%. I like to think I might be somewhere in the middle, but mainly I know it's just nonsense.
I used one of those the other day and it told me I was 30%!. My hydrostatic test has me at about 20% which is consistent with 'eyeballing' it.
It's frightening how inaccurate those scales can be. I'd love to be 30% fat if I looked like you0 -
I went off topic......sorry:blushing:0
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I sure don't feel obese but that is what my BMI tells me. According to this calculator, I would have to weigh 183lbs to be considered "normal." to weigh 183 I would have to lose another 49 pounds! That's not happening :noway:
Your BMI: 31.5
According to figures, your BMI puts you in the “Obese” range. This puts you at greater risk for diseases such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
It would be best if you'd clarify who you're replying to.0 -
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