How come my back looks fat and my belly is flat?

EatWholeFoods
EatWholeFoods Posts: 174 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I am 5'1" and weight 119 lbs. My front looks toned and small and my back of my shoulders looks like a teenage boy or something like the shoulder bones don't really stick out and my whole back looks like a guy to me....I have a skinny lower back and flat stomach, but my shoulder area looks big. I am not sure what to do.

The past year, I avoided push ups and was only doing some yoga and lifting light 8 lb. weights for my triceps (which have not shrunk) and my biceps which got bigger but look good. My front of my arms look very toned, but triceps look fat to me.

My biggest questions are: 1. Is it possible that my 20% protein portion of my diet is making me bulk up (I eat 40-45% carbs and 35% fat)?

2. Do I need to lift more weights for my back and shoulder muscles so they lose fat or tone or shrink or will lifting more weights for my back and shoulder presses just make me bulk up or stay big back there?

3. Do I need to lose more weight then because I feel I am already small, but don't know how to target my back.

Replies

  • ily_em
    ily_em Posts: 8
    I'm not sure I get your problem... maybe pics will help? If you have a small waist then of course your shoulders will look bigger.
  • LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo
    LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo Posts: 3,634 Member
    You need to lower your overall body fat percentage to lose those flabs that you can achieve thru a calorie deficit. The reason why your back looks fat is because you still have some layer of fat there to lose but push-ups won't make it look big. To answer your question:
    1. Is it possible that my 20% protein portion of my diet is making me bulk up (I eat 40-45% carbs and 35% fat)?
    NO.. and 20% protein is actually quite low. You need to eat in calorie surplus to build muscle but even then still its very difficult to gain muscle. Average women can at best gain 0.25 lbs. of muscle in a month.
    2. Do I need to lift more weights for my back and shoulder muscles so they lose fat or tone or shrink or will lifting more weights for my back and shoulder presses just make me bulk up or stay big back there?
    YES.. and don't worry about bulking up. You simply won't be especially on a calorie deficit. Also don't be afraid of lifting heavier than 8lbs. & especially push-ups. In fact push-ups is one of the best compound exercises that targets multiple muscles, not just your triceps. You need to eat on a surplus to gain muscle/fat.
    3. Do I need to lose more weight then because I feel I am already small, but don't know how to target my back.
    NOT NECESSARILY unless you have a small frame. I'm 5'2 & 120lbs. but I already look thin with it because I'm medium framed & therefore couldn't get lower than 118.
  • fteale
    fteale Posts: 5,310 Member
    It sounds like you are just broad shouldered. People have different back sizes.
  • EatWholeFoods
    EatWholeFoods Posts: 174 Member
    I can't get the codes or html to work in order to post it..they are the ones photobucket gave me..
  • EatWholeFoods
    EatWholeFoods Posts: 174 Member
    It won't show the pic on the thread...I feel like a noob haha
  • EatWholeFoods
    EatWholeFoods Posts: 174 Member
    Ahh the forum isn't posting it..here is a link http://i524.photobucket.com/albums/cc326/jzorviolinist/fitness pal/IMAG07291.jpg
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    IMAG07291.jpg Here is the picture of the back of me....
    Change both IMG to lower case.
  • EatWholeFoods
    EatWholeFoods Posts: 174 Member
    my back looked different before...thanks everyone for the input...so I shouldn't be afraid to eat a lot of protein is what I found from your answers. =)
  • EatWholeFoods
    EatWholeFoods Posts: 174 Member
    Oh well...I tried all sorts of ways to write it and lower cased and it won't post my pic
  • JPal5
    JPal5 Posts: 178
    nevermind..
  • TheFunBun
    TheFunBun Posts: 793 Member
    Yeah, looks like it's just your small waist and nice broad shoulders

    ...Weiiiird with your photo not posting. It's still there, so no clue why it's doing that!
  • AtticusFinch
    AtticusFinch Posts: 1,262 Member
    I'd say "fat back" is in your imagination, OP. From that picture angle you do appear to have broad shoulders, but your back looks proportionate. Stop worrying about it, it looks great :smile:

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