Am I at the mercy of my genetics?

When I reached my goal weight of 110 lbs I went and got my body composition done via the hydrostatic weighing method. The result I got was 13% body fat. I'm a woman, I'm 46 and I don't look anything like what I'd think someone looks like with only 13% body fat. I'm an apple shape and I still have this layer of fat over my abdomen. I seriously thought the result might even be wrong but it matched closely with what my scale at home was also telling me.

I'd kill for a flat stomach. I do full body weight workouts. I run. I eat right. My arms and legs look great (to me anyway, lol). I can actually even see a faint shadow of those abdominal muscles that I know are lying underneath. What's that saying, abs are made in the kitchen? Well, the kitchen says I shouldn't lose anymore body fat but the only way I can have a flat stomach is to lose more body fat and even then it's not guaranteed to come off the midsection. So is this just the cards genetics has dealt me and, short of surgery, I should just learn to accept the body I have?

I dunno. I think I'm just venting. I worked so hard getting fit and losing weight and the one area I wanted to see the most improvement is still flabby looking. On the positive side I did at least lose 5" there.

Yeah.  Just accept it.  Our bodies allow us to live, and even after striving and trying to change them and hating them, they really never will be "perfect."  I'll never look like a model - I too am short and my genetics didn't give me that petite, lithe body. 

I went through a period last year that was pretty dangerous.  I was never underweight, although I was close and I had lost my period.  There were days that I liked my body then, but it wasn't worth it.  I wasn't living, I was simply a food calculator, counting calories and exercising too hard.

Now that my weight is fifteen, almost twenty pounds more (after a long, hard struggle of binging/self-hatred/dieting) I look in the mirror and while I still wish, on one level, that I could be "perfect," I've learned to accept and love my body.  I can't fight against genetics.  So I say to myself, you know what, NOW you're living.  Now you're happy.  Now I'm running races to be faster, not to burn calories - I'm eating because I enjoy things, not counting to maintain a too-low body weight.  I'm still watching it, but realizing that I won't ever be PERFECT without sacrificing my happiness was a big step.

I just hope that everyone can see that, too.

I get what you are saying definitely.

However, you should actually be happy with getting 13%. Especially since you got it done using the hydrostatic tank method. It is the second most accurate method after the DEXA scan. Anything under 17% for women is considered to be good, and anything in the 10-13% range is great for women. There are a lot of men, that will never have their body-fat that low. It seems like you are doing all the right things (eating right and doing full-body workouts). Unfortunately, it just seems like you carry most of your body-fat around your abdomen. To make matters worse, the abdominal area is usually the last area you lose fat in. Every other part of your body will lose fat and start to look firmer first. It usually starts with the face, and then carries on to various parts of the upper and lower body with the abdominal region being last. Why that is, I have no idea. I think the secret is just being patient.

In terms of diet - Are you eating 5-6 small meals a day or 3 regular sized ones? Eating more smaller meals keeps your metabolism steadily elevated over the course of the day. How many calories are you getting per day? If your goal is to lose fat, make sure you are doing 500-700 calories under maintenance. Are you making sure to get fruits and vegetables and a lot of water? I hate vegetables with a passion, but I started making myself eat broccoli at least twice a day and I have two servings of fruit. I started getting better results when I did this. Also, are you getting enough healthy fats? Healthy fats from things like olive oil, almonds, natural peanut butter, etc can actually help to accelerate fat loss.

In terms of weight-training - You are definitely on the right path doing full-body workouts. Keep lifting heavy with compound lifts like you have been doing.

In terms of cardio - I noticed that you say you run a lot. Are you making sure to do HIIT, or just regular running? HIIT is much more effective at targeting body-fat. Especially around the abdominal area. If you aren't doing it, look into it.

don't give up if your are satisfied with 13% then thats awesome if not then try and push yourself a little harder. Me personally im at a low bf percentage and ive noticed that my abdominal section (being the last to lose) has tightened up and i can see my abs. Im always adding goals and sculpting but hey thats just me, to each his/her own :D have fun!