My body

coasterqueen wrote: Ok, I don't know why this is starting to bother me, but it is. I've always been a bit heavier on the bottom half, pear-shaped you might say. I slimmed down a lot in my nether region after having Kylie by just following WW with no exercise. This time around I decided to incorporate exercise in trying to lose weight. While I've lost a lot of weight (still have a bit to go) and I feel great being more fit, my lower half has gotten larger. Seriously, I'm not joking or just 'downing' myself. Even Dh, my mother and sister noticed as well. I've been noticing it off and on lately but didn't let it get me down. For some reason today in the copy room talking with my co-worker I all of a sudden noticed how huge my calves, thighs and butt really are. Maybe it's the capris I'm wearing today, but it's got me down now.

Exercising always bulks me up in my lower region and I've incorporated strength training into my workouts to 'lean' myself out a bit more, but it's not working. I'm starting to think I liked myself better before when I lost all the weight but wasn't as physically fit. It's not the number on the scale that is bothering me at all, it's the size of my lower region. It's always made me unhappy until I lost all that weight and got slimmer in that area. It's not made me happy now.

booey2 replied: Karen your lower region might be looking bigger because you upper region is getting smaller. Hang in there, you will even out the more you work at it. Genes play a big role in our body shape.

Terri

coasterqueen replied:
Yes, genes do play a huge roll. But how come I slimmed down everywhere when I wasn't working out and bulked up down there when I am? Sorry, I'm being a downer. I don't know why at this very second it's bothered me.

kimberley replied: sorry hon, i know it sucks when you aren't happy with your body image and you can't change genetics. i have always been thick around my torso. doesn't matter how much weight i lose, i just seem to be wider than everyone else

i know it may not be any comfort, but i think you look beautiful.

jcc64 replied: I'm a "pear" too, Karen. No matter how fit I am, my thighs will always be a problem. After a certain point, you just need to accept that you're living a healthy lifestyle, doing everything you can, and there are some limitations as to what can be achieved. Be happy with yourself- you've accomplished ALOT! I'm certain at least some of your "observations" are probably a little exaggerated- I bet you look much better than you think you do.

MyLuvBugs replied: Well, I was always told that strength training and weights would bulk you up no matter what your shape or genetic make up. But stretches or programs like Yoga or pilates or even dance/ballet burn the fat, but help to stretch the muscles so they are long and lean. Maybe that's the key! I really don't know, but I do agree with some of the other moms, you just gotta realized that the bottom half won't ever be model thin and that's fine. You're perfect just the way you are.

mammag replied: How many reps are you doing when you do lower body? A pear shaped person should still work the lower body but do high reps, 15-20. On the upper body go heavy, 8-12 reps. If you bulk up a bit in the upper body it will eventually balance out the upper and lower body.

Weight held in the hips and thighs tends to be the hardest to lose for most women so it may just take time and patience.....I know that's not easy when it's on your own body but hang in there. If you are doing the right things, you'll keep seeing changes.

As to weight training bulking you up, it really takes a lot of hard work for most women to bulk up....we are just genetically different than men. Don't be afraid to go heavy in the upper body....even 6 rep max. You aren't going to wake up one morning and become a Ms. Olympia. If you are really worried about bulking up in the thighs and hips you could just stick with cardio until you start to lose more of the fat down there and see how you feel then.

Try not to get too down on yourself. You are a beautiful woman and you are getting healthier even when you aren't seeing immediate results.

redchief replied:

Giving up on your exercise and weight loss program isn't an option either.

If you know how many times your online journal has kept me in my routine, no matter how crappy I was feeling, you'd understand. I don't reply to your journey, but I'm following it and I'm inspired.

Kaitlin'smom replied: well I have my own complains about my body but I will waite and see how it goes when I do get the scale looking better.

I can so symphasis with you.

booey2 replied: I just wanted to offer more everyone above has given some great and insightfull advice. Hang in there.

coasterqueen replied: Thanks everyone. You are making me cry . You are all the best.

I still don't understand why my lower body slims down with WW and no exercise vs. WW AND exercise, but I'll just be patient. It just feels the longer I workout the bigger my bottom half gets.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: Karen I'm so sorry you are down right now. I think you look terrific and you are such an inspiration.

I was also told that Pilates and Yoga are more of a balanced exercise. It strengthens you all over...equally. I can honestly say that I have noticed a huge difference since I started doing pilates.

Like Jeanie said, women bulk up faster on the bottom b/c they are stronger there. I think it was a great suggestion that you should do more reps on your arms and stick with cardio...maybe that will help. And as the others said, you can't change genetics. I have bigger shoulders/arms and a not so flat tummy. We all have our things about our body that we don't like, but you are so healthy and fit...that's all that matters.

And just remember, muscle is lean so anytime you are building muscle you are becoming leaner and healthier.

MommyToAshley replied: I have seen pictures of you, and personally I think you look great. I am not just saying that... I am being honest. We are always harder on ourselves.

With that being said, I would suggest that you talk to a trainer. When we met with our trainer, I told him that I did not want to bulk up. Nothing wrong with women that want that, I just don't want that look for me. DH on the other hand wanted to bulk up more. So, we both have different plans. I learned SOOO much from the trainer. I never realized what a difference it would make. I probably never would have spent money on a visit with a trainer (our consults were free with the Y membership), but now I would highly recommend it and I can honestly say I think it is worth it even if you have to pay.