Is there something wrong with me?

[xocitcatxo]

Ok I have a confession to make. I am SKINNY. There is no doubt. But I am what you call apple shaped. I tend to gain weight in my stomach only. So this is why I'm here in the first place. I need to ask WHY on earth is my body like this? Why if I choose to eat whatever in the world, I only gain weight in that one area but everywhere else I'm a stick? Does that mean that gaining weight everywhere else is impossible? I'm not saying I hate being skinny but I wonder why it's only in that area that I tend to gain weight? Do I have a hormone imbalance?

[2big4mysize]

how old are you? females add weight to the middle to signal males they are not fertile from a genetic issue.

does your family tend to be apple shaped too?

[xocitcatxo]

My mom is apple shaped and overweight. She gained weight after having three kids. I'm 17. So I do have a hormone imbalance?

[2big4mysize]

no way for anybody on a web site to know that. you'd need to see your doc and discuss your shape concerns.
there isn't really any way to spot reduce just your middle

[xocitcatxo]

True but if that's the only place I could lose weight... anyway, I probably quit this place. :/

[peanutte]

I'm not sure what you meant by that last post.
One of my sisters has my mom's build--rather small frame, delicate bones, and skinny legs/arms with a tendency to have a pregnant-looking stomach, especially after eating. Part of this is not having well-toned stomach muscles. You can't spot-reduce, but you can work on your core strength so that your abs are strong and toned.

What you might want to look at is how different foods affect you in terms of bloating. Some foods make your stomach appear distended, and other foods don't seem to have that affect. Grains and refined sugar/flour make a lot of people feel and look bloated. That's why I think so many of us enjoy low-carb; we feel our stomachs getting flatter right from the first week of Induction. Dairy products don't agree with some people too. I don't know if you have ever noticed certain food groups causing you any discomfort or digestive problems, but that might be a good place to start.

It would be a smart idea to discuss your concerns with your doctor. Good luck!

[NewStartNow]

Originally Posted by 2big4mysize

how old are you? females add weight to the middle to signal males they are not fertile from a genetic issue.

does your family tend to be apple shaped too?

That's interesting. Care to expound?

[2big4mysize]

it happens at menopuase when females are no longer childbearing able. they add weight around the middle and are no longer curvey. Seems in ancient times guys needed clues as to what to look for in a mate to continue the species.

[LowCarbSleepyToast]

Originally Posted by 2big4mysize

how old are you? females add weight to the middle to signal males they are not fertile from a genetic issue.

does your family tend to be apple shaped too?

I'm not trying to be argumentative but where did you get that info?

Just curious because I'm apple shaped and also a fertile-myrtle

I have heard that being apple shaped is linked to increased problems with heart disease though. My mother was apple shaped and diet at 50 of a heart attack.

[peanutte]

I assume 2big is referring to the hip-to-waist ratio that has been shown, by some studies, to be nearly universally attractive to men. A comparatively small waist and wider hips--in other words, a defined waistline--seems to be a genetic signifier for youth, good health and childbearing.

I don't know how scientific it is, but I have heard it before.

[2big4mysize]

if your apple shape is from abdominal fat that is fat under your layers of stomach muscle then yep it is linked to heart issues. If it is just body fat layers around the middle then it isn't. Sometimes studies can be confusing cause they aren't specific enough.

Do some research on body shape changes at menopause and you will learn about the shifting shapes of the female body when no longer fertile.

[LowCarbSleepyToast]

Originally Posted by 2big4mysize

if your apple shape is from abdominal fat that is fat under your layers of stomach muscle then yep it is linked to heart issues. If it is just body fat layers around the middle then it isn't. Sometimes studies can be confusing cause they aren't specific enough.

Do some research on body shape changes at menopause and you will learn about the shifting shapes of the female body when no longer fertile.

I understand what you mean with the subcutaneus fat vs. visceral fat now

[xocitcatxo]

Peanutte, I have fat all over my stomach. No toning in the world will change how it looks. I have to lose the fat. But I will also lose fat everywhere else too. I have been eating healthy. No refined junk foods so I know that's not the issue. And also, I don't have stomach bloating. I have FAT. Nasty fat! I am one of those people who are very skinny with fat stomachs. I'm trying to understand how to solve this never ending issue.

2big4mysize,I am only 17 like I have previously stated. I highly doubt that I have menopause. I also get my period on a regular so idk about the whole fertile thing.

Newstartnow, I already previously posted my age & stuff. also, you don't have to have hips to have a defined waistline. I have a )( waist but no hips.

[NewStartNow]

Originally Posted by xocitcatxo

Newstartnow, I already previously posted my age & stuff. also, you don't have to have hips to have a defined waistline. I have a )( waist but no hips.

??????

I was referring to the poster who made a statement about fertility.

[peanutte]

also, you don't have to have hips to have a defined waistline. I have a )( waist but no hips.

Right, which is why I referred to a waist-to-hip ratio--having a waist that is smaller than your hips regardless of how wide or narrow your hips may be.

[xocitcatxo]

Originally Posted by NewStartNow

??????

I was referring to the poster who made a statement about fertility.

Woops.

[xocitcatxo]

I still do not understand why some people can have such skinny limbs & arms but a lot of excess fat on their stomach?? This is what's been stressing me out!

[LowCarbSleepyToast]

People come in all different shapes..Just because yours is different doesn't mean there's something medically wrong. Some people just have fat distribution patterns where they tend to store weight in the upper body/middle.

[2big4mysize]

yep I have "tree trunk" legs and am now a gaolie they have been too big since I was a little kid ofr over the calf boots and losing over 140 pounds didn't help that issue one bit!

[melsreturn]

My question would be do you eat too many carbs? They can swell your stomach

and the next question, do you have insulin resistance or some type of insulin problem? People who have insulin problems usually gain it in their midsection (circumference of their stomach).

If either of these is the case, those can be helped. But if its just a natural form to your body, then...that's a different story

[xocitcatxo]

I don't think having a potbelly is a "natural form of your body". I believe everyone can have a flat stomach with good eating lifestyle & exercise. I did research and just realized it's my genetics. So I'm going to do a healthy (low carb) eating lifestyle & exercise and sooner or later I will see good results!

[xocitcatxo]

And yes I eat too many carbs plus I sit on my butt all day D: lol

[melsreturn]

Originally Posted by xocitcatxo

And yes I eat too many carbs plus I sit on my butt all day D: lol

After I first heard that carbs could swell a person's stomach, I said, "Well then, I was NEVER obese. I was just swelled up from too many carbs!"