Fat distribution - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

lurkette · 09-10-2004, 08:32 AM

After gaining about 30 lbs in graduate school, losing about 20 of them, gaining another 15 after my brother died and losing them again, (all this over about 10 years) I'm now about 5'1" and plateaued around 110-115 lbs, which seems to be my comfy weight without exercising or watching what I eat. I'm around 22-25% body fat. However, it's distributed oddly. I have a very fit torso (with a little bit of extra fat on the triceps), in fact it may be a little too thin - you can kind of see my ribs. I have a pretty trim waist, not a flat tummy but not too pouchy, but I have all this fat around my thighs and butt. I think this is just genetic - I've always been slightly pear-shaped, and the rest of my female relatives carry their weight in the same areas. Is there anything I can do to get rid of the lower body fat without further skeletonizing the rest of my body?

intecel · 09-10-2004, 09:50 AM

After countless hours of reading the bodybuilding forums on bodybuilding.com and johnstonefitness.com, I would say the best thing you can do is working with weights.

Lowering your body fat a tiny bit, and adding a bit of muscle could be a great way to go.

For me, women with some muscle definition are much more attractive than plain ole' thin.

(I am by no means a trainer, of course, just repeating what I've read over and over again on the forums)

saucy knave · 09-10-2004, 08:45 PM

I'd say that you should be sure to get enough protein, and do a little strength training in order to hold on to your muscle. Other than that, your standard approach (controlled calories and cardio exercise) should have you on your way.

Note: even though you would be doing strength exercises, you will not grow big muscles so long as you keep your calorie consumption in the safe weight loss range.

winsecure · 09-11-2004, 05:17 AM

Overall females are hesitant to lift weight because they're not wanting to to bulk up and get that really muscular look. Females have less than 1/10th of the anabolic hormones that males do.... as a result its virtually impossible for women to get a really muscular look to them without chemical alteration. For females, weight lifting will tone muscle and do some shaping... along with helping to trim some excess fat.

Rodney · 09-11-2004, 06:16 AM

As a guy, when I first started lifting weights and put on a few pounds of muscle, people starting asking me if I'd _lost_ weight. (I don't believe I lost much fat.) Because much of the weight went on my upper body and shoulders, which had been narrow, and improved the overall balance of my body proportions. Something to consider.

09-10-2004, 08:32 AM	#1 (permalink)
lurkette My future is coming on Moderator Emeritus Location: east of the sun and west of the moon	Fat distribution After gaining about 30 lbs in graduate school, losing about 20 of them, gaining another 15 after my brother died and losing them again, (all this over about 10 years) I'm now about 5'1" and plateaued around 110-115 lbs, which seems to be my comfy weight without exercising or watching what I eat. I'm around 22-25% body fat. However, it's distributed oddly. I have a very fit torso (with a little bit of extra fat on the triceps), in fact it may be a little too thin - you can kind of see my ribs. I have a pretty trim waist, not a flat tummy but not too pouchy, but I have all this fat around my thighs and butt. I think this is just genetic - I've always been slightly pear-shaped, and the rest of my female relatives carry their weight in the same areas. Is there anything I can do to get rid of the lower body fat without further skeletonizing the rest of my body? __________________ "If ten million people believe a foolish thing, it is still a foolish thing." - Anatole France

09-10-2004, 09:50 AM	#2 (permalink)
intecel Psycho	After countless hours of reading the bodybuilding forums on bodybuilding.com and johnstonefitness.com, I would say the best thing you can do is working with weights. Lowering your body fat a tiny bit, and adding a bit of muscle could be a great way to go. For me, women with some muscle definition are much more attractive than plain ole' thin. (I am by no means a trainer, of course, just repeating what I've read over and over again on the forums) Last edited by intecel; 09-10-2004 at 09:54 AM..

09-10-2004, 08:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
saucy knave Tilted Location: West Siiide	I'd say that you should be sure to get enough protein, and do a little strength training in order to hold on to your muscle. Other than that, your standard approach (controlled calories and cardio exercise) should have you on your way. Note: even though you would be doing strength exercises, you will not grow big muscles so long as you keep your calorie consumption in the safe weight loss range. Last edited by saucy knave; 09-10-2004 at 08:52 PM.. Reason: more info

09-11-2004, 05:17 AM	#4 (permalink)
winsecure Tilted	Overall females are hesitant to lift weight because they're not wanting to to bulk up and get that really muscular look. Females have less than 1/10th of the anabolic hormones that males do.... as a result its virtually impossible for women to get a really muscular look to them without chemical alteration. For females, weight lifting will tone muscle and do some shaping... along with helping to trim some excess fat.

09-11-2004, 06:16 AM	#5 (permalink)
Rodney Observant Ruminant Location: Rich Wannabe Hippie Town	As a guy, when I first started lifting weights and put on a few pounds of muscle, people starting asking me if I'd _lost_ weight. (I don't believe I lost much fat.) Because much of the weight went on my upper body and shoulders, which had been narrow, and improved the overall balance of my body proportions. Something to consider.