I need your help...I am 20 years old,5'9" and 127lbs.I know I am very skinny and I am sick of that and want to change it.I am pear shaped and my lower body is heavier and larger than the upper .My arms and shoulders are skinny,my breasts are flat...I hate the bones on my chest that are visible.I feel very depressed because I would love to change my "model"(as people tell me) body with a more curvaceous and feminine one but unfortunately I know I can't...Now I would describe my lifestyle as healthy;Clean eating and exercise(I eat many cals but only clean foods and that's why I have a low body fat and thin body).The last months I go to the gym and lift heavy for the upper body.I also take protein supplement after gym in an effort to make my muscles give the illusion of a more full upper body...Although I can see some definition on my arms and shoulders ,unfortunately I am still very skinny.I want to gain some weight but I am afraid because I know that it will all go to my butt and thighs and will create saddlebags and cellulite while the upper body is still going to be skinny(unless I gain more than 20lbs).So is there anything you can suggest to improve my physique?Can I possibly grow bigger but still maintaining a nice body shape?I know DNA is not on my side,but I would like to do sth.Please help me...Eveyone blames models for being sickly thin ,I am like that but it is not my choise,it is genetics and I want to change it but I can't...Any recommendations are welcome
I don't want to be skinny...help
- Thread starter marianna
- Start date
gettingstrong
Cathlete
I am sure someone will have some suggestions for you. 
But I would like to say that I just got through reading a book that clearly showed being at your thinnest gives you a big longevity advantage. Since no one on my dad's side made it to 70 and my mom's side is riddled with diabetes, I wish I could get there!! ;-) Marnie
But I would like to say that I just got through reading a book that clearly showed being at your thinnest gives you a big longevity advantage. Since no one on my dad's side made it to 70 and my mom's side is riddled with diabetes, I wish I could get there!! ;-) Marnie
allwildgirl
Cathlete
You know, 5'9" and 127 doesn't sound sickly thin to me, but I guess it depends how it's distributed and whether it's muscle or not.
However, I'm sure one of the more knowledgeable posters will have some input on how you can bulk up without putting on fat or gaining excessive amounts of weight
However, I'm sure one of the more knowledgeable posters will have some input on how you can bulk up without putting on fat or gaining excessive amounts of weight
LauraMax
Cathlete
Well, you kind of nailed it when you said you can't change genetics.
A couple suggestions--if I were you I wouldn't do cardio more than twice a week. I suspect you are pretty thin at that height & weight--probably you're burning off muscle w/cardio since you don't have any fat to burn. So consider your cardio for health reasons rather than for weight loss & reduce it.
Second, lift heavy when it comes to upper body. I don't know if you lift at a gym or at home, but if you lift at a gym get someone who works there (or works out there) to spot you so you can increase your strength, therefore your muscle, therefore your shape.
Eat more complex carbs. It'll help you gain muscle.
Finally, I would suggest getting some advice from Carol (McMain) about the Freestyle fitness program. I don't know much about it, having been born butt-less, but as I understand it it's a great program for women who carry most of their weight on their lower half.
A couple suggestions--if I were you I wouldn't do cardio more than twice a week. I suspect you are pretty thin at that height & weight--probably you're burning off muscle w/cardio since you don't have any fat to burn. So consider your cardio for health reasons rather than for weight loss & reduce it.
Second, lift heavy when it comes to upper body. I don't know if you lift at a gym or at home, but if you lift at a gym get someone who works there (or works out there) to spot you so you can increase your strength, therefore your muscle, therefore your shape.
Eat more complex carbs. It'll help you gain muscle.
Finally, I would suggest getting some advice from Carol (McMain) about the Freestyle fitness program. I don't know much about it, having been born butt-less, but as I understand it it's a great program for women who carry most of their weight on their lower half.
Wow!Thank you for your quick replies!This board indeed gives support!Well I have mostly muscle and less fat.But both muscle and fat are in the lower body .
I am curious about freestyle training and I intend to order the book.
At the gym I have a program made to reach my goal but I don't see much difference-at least not the one I am hoping for.I wonder if it is impossible to meet my goals...
I am generally told that I have a nice body (it is toned as I took dance classes for a couple of years) but also that it is thin.I know I don't look like Kate Moss,but I hear a lot of negative comments that I am underweight-mainly from women.Some have implied that I have eating disorders and some of my friends have told me that men don't like women without breasts.In fact I eat around 2500cals/day but I eat healthy.For instance I eat whole weat bread instead of white flour bread,I drink juice instead of coca cola,I eat fruit instead of chips,I don't add sauce to my pasta,I prefer boiled potatoes instead of fried ones,I eat sweets with moderation etc.I eat healthy firstly for my health and secondly because I want to avoid cellulite and saddlebags (all women in my family have them!) and I never feel hungry.
I don't do any cardio at all.I only walk to go to work ,do the shopping etc.
.I am curious about freestyle training and I intend to order the book.
At the gym I have a program made to reach my goal but I don't see much difference-at least not the one I am hoping for.I wonder if it is impossible to meet my goals...
I am generally told that I have a nice body (it is toned as I took dance classes for a couple of years) but also that it is thin.I know I don't look like Kate Moss,but I hear a lot of negative comments that I am underweight-mainly from women.Some have implied that I have eating disorders and some of my friends have told me that men don't like women without breasts.In fact I eat around 2500cals/day but I eat healthy.For instance I eat whole weat bread instead of white flour bread,I drink juice instead of coca cola,I eat fruit instead of chips,I don't add sauce to my pasta,I prefer boiled potatoes instead of fried ones,I eat sweets with moderation etc.I eat healthy firstly for my health and secondly because I want to avoid cellulite and saddlebags (all women in my family have them!) and I never feel hungry.
I don't do any cardio at all.I only walk to go to work ,do the shopping etc.
No wonder you're unhappy with yourself - you hang around with people who say nasty things about you:
"I know I don't look like Kate Moss,but I hear a lot of negative comments that I am underweight-mainly from women.Some have implied that I have eating disorders and some of my friends have told me that men don't like women without breasts."
Yikes!
"I know I don't look like Kate Moss,but I hear a lot of negative comments that I am underweight-mainly from women.Some have implied that I have eating disorders and some of my friends have told me that men don't like women without breasts."
Yikes!
I agree with LauraMax, heavy weight training for upper body. Try this site http://www.bodybuilding.com/ for more info.
LauraMax
Cathlete
That's kind of subjective. I think I lift heavy but there are women on this board who lift heavier. Also it depends on what kind of routine you're doing. Are you wondering what max weight is considered heavy, or what's considered heavy when you're doing 3 sets 10 reps for each exercise?
I'm fairly petite & the one thing I've done to develop upper body shape is really focus on building my shoulders. It's really amazing what well-formed & well-defined shoulders do for your shape.
I'm fairly petite & the one thing I've done to develop upper body shape is really focus on building my shoulders. It's really amazing what well-formed & well-defined shoulders do for your shape.