Body Shape

I have a tid bit of a problem that I don't really know how to describe...

I'm 5'2, a UK size 8 (US 4) and weigh like 110lbs...but I'm really really flabby!

I'm thin, I get that, but my skin has the consistency and texture and feel of somebody very much overweight. Its really squidgy and toneless, and I avoid wearing tight or fitting clothes because all the flabby bits squish out. Tights, fitted jeans and tops, smart shirts and dresses, all are very very uncomfortable for me.

I work out a lot, I do lots of ab work and cardio training, walk or ride my bike everywhere, generally follow a healthy diet. I look at other girls around me and even if they're larger than me, their skin still has better tone and is just generally less flabby!

I'm trying to lose a few pounds, my weight fluctuates but I can lose or gain around a stone and there's very little difference in my body shape, especially my measurements and this mysterious flab I keep mentioning.

Can anyone help? I'm around for a while so I'll be here to read replies and answer questions...

I have the same problem!  I hope someone posts an answer to this lol

Hmm, difficult one.

Without knowing you...but chances are that to me if you are a size 8 and do lots of exercise, to me you would most probably look tiny and trim.

I could say it might be a body perception issue and that things you are unhappy about in yourself, you magnify when you compare with others. I am certainly guilty of this.

If you are fairly young (not sure how old?!), the skin tone issue you mention could be related to your growing body, hormone changes etc...

So drink plenty of water, get lots of fruit and veggies but dont over do the exercise and ab work and dont spend too much time thinking on the negatives : )

im 19!

I'm the same way- skinny-fat! It took me a long time to realize that I don't need to lose weight, just burn fat and gain muscle. To do this, you do not need a calorie deficit. However, you really should be doing total body weight training. You cannot do spot reduction- ab work only will have almost no effect. I alternate 3 days of the New Rules of Lifting for Women with 3 days of jogging and a day off, but you can decide what works for you

I'm a lot older than you but I notice I feel  and look soft and squishy without actual weight gain if I'm eating more carbs.  It's not just the amount of calories it's what its comprise of.  Before tracking calories I was a size (U.S.) 6 but softer and lumpier somehow, when I started tracking I started eating way more vegetables and less carbs- (almost zero sugar, no pasta,potatoes or rice and only a little bread- I know that sounds radical to some ) I noticed that though I'm still a 6 my clothes fit better and I feel so much better! I don't get  bloated, my skin looks brighter and my body just looks leaner. 

I am with Emily.  Try the book, The New Rules of Lifting for Women.  It is about muscle building with heavy weights (heavy for you).  Aerobic exercise will not give you the tight appearance you are looking for.

ugh I feel your pain. Im also that typical case of skinny fat. But losing weight wont give you what you want. If you want a "fitter" look you need to work out. Cardio and weight training, and you might even have to eat more to build some muscle

EDIT: what you have is lose skin. The only way to tone lose skin and flabbyness is to build muscle and keep active with strength training and cardio. I really wouldnt try losing weight. Try things such as pilates and yoga...Ive seen people who havent lost any weight but have lost inches, and have a more toned and fit body. Also the whole new rules of lifting for women works, according to everyone else...you can chose to do both.  Pilates and yoga are great for overall strength, flexibility, and balance, which is an added plus to toning :) Weight training, pilates or yoga, and cardio I think are the best combination to a great body :)

I'm going to agree w/ what you're being told... check out The New Rules of Lifting for Women

I'm a pudger, even though my BMI is normal, so you and I are likely in the same boat. I recently started the New Rules program, and I'm really liking it. It's many fans are a huge endorsement and a wonderful encouragement.

I have the same problem!

Im 4'11 a size zero(canadian) and 90 pounds!

But I'd never wear a bikini because Im not toned at all! I don't have a very nice shapea sort of curvy midsection!I find cardio helps lose weight and if you are doing abs workouts do circuits with it. Fast paced! so do something like bicycle crunches, leg lifts, ab crunches on the ball etc. when you cnat take anymore start doign jumping jacks, then squats, then pushups, jump squats, knee lifts as quick as you can, jump from one leg onto the other and back. Keep doing this. At a quick pace you can incernerate about 300 calories. Do that everyday and you'll notice a change I gurantee!

Cause situps don't actually get rid of fat in the midsection they just build the muscles. Im calorie restructing but that's a personal choice I'm commiting to. It depoends how fast/dramatic you want your body change to be. Dont get de moralised even tho it doesn't always seem like it there are peopel out there like you!

I know how frustrating it is to see bigger-boned people who don't even try but look great in tight shirts just cause they have a nicer natural shape and they are taller and longer

Much Love
Kaila.