Torso tilted, fat uneven? AUGH

AliceInFatland · 11-19-2010, 07:34 PM

Today when taking progress photos, I realize that I tilt to the left when I stand!! Not with my hips, just with my torso. Then I realized, with growing horror, that I have more fat on my RIGHT side than my left!! So when I straighten out it's even MORE pronounced!

What can I do to fix this? I use machines but am switching to freeweights. Was it caused by years of carrying my bag on my right shoulder (tilting to the left to keep it from falling off)?

In the photo in my underwear, I am standing "normally" tilting to the left. In the jeans photo my spine is aligned with my legs.

neurodoc · 11-19-2010, 07:54 PM

When I was in college, I took a clothing design course. The first thing we learned was how to make a "sloper" - a custom fitted muslin "dress" that becomes the basis for all patterns you make for a particular customer. And the first thing we learned as we set out to make these slopers, was that every piece of it had to be custom fitted to each side of the body separately. Why? Because EVERYONE has a bigger side and a smaller side - one side is naturally "fatter" than the other. Everyone also has what's called a "high hip" - one hip tilts up compared to the other. In many people, the high hip - low hip difference is less than 1 inch, and not at all noticeable unless you're looking for it; in others the difference can be nearly 3 inches. Finally, lots of people have mild degrees of scoliosis- a curvature of the spine that will push the ribcage toward one side, and the pelvis toward the other. All in all, it's amazing just how UNSYMMETRIC we all really are. You are totally normal; don't sweat it.

cherrypie · 11-19-2010, 07:55 PM

lots of people are bigger on one side than the other. My mother was to the point that one of her legs was over an inch longer. It took till she was in her 40's for a doctor to notice what was causing her debilitating back problems. Once she noticed she realized one whole side of her body was bigger.

AliceInFatland · 11-19-2010, 08:33 PM

"You are totally normal; don't sweat it."

Being overweight is normal for America and many parts of the world, yet we are all clearly "sweating it". I don't meant to be short with you, but I'm not looking to accept this particular dysfunction of my body, I'd like to correct it.

swtbttrfly23 · 11-19-2010, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AliceInFatland

"You are totally normal; don't sweat it."

Being overweight is normal for America and many parts of the world, yet we are all clearly "sweating it". I don't meant to be short with you, but I'm not looking to accept this particular dysfunction of my body, I'd like to correct it.

The point is that it's not correctable, because it's a normal function of being a human being, not a dysfunction. All you can do regarding extra fat on one side is work hard to lose all over your body so that it's barely noticeable. You will still have one side that's a bit larger than the other.

Regarding the tilt, yeah, maybe it is the cause of a heavy bag on one side for years. Or maybe it's just the way your body naturally tilts. Deal with it, it is what it is. Switch sides for the bag and maybe it will go away, although I garauntee you're the only one that sees it.

I don't mean to be short with you, but don't ask questions and seek support and then get pissy because it's not what you wanted to hear.

seagirl · 11-19-2010, 10:47 PM

Go see your doctor and ask about scoliosis. It's usually caught when you are younger and corrected with a back brace and certain exercises.

RunnerChemist · 11-20-2010, 12:15 PM

My best friend had scoliosis and with dedicated yoga and core exercises over a period of years, she was able to minimize the effect. It was giving her great pain, and this was a way to mitigate that pain. I'd say do yoga, as it focuses on balance and alignment, but in the end you may always have a little tilt.

I'm uneven, too. My right thigh bigger than my left, my left calf bigger than my right, my left breast smaller than my right, my smile is uneven and so are my dimples. I'd like to think it's what makes me interesting.

foreveryoung · 11-20-2010, 12:27 PM

my right foot is bigger than my left so its my hand - I think we all are uneven - just everybody doesn't notice it.

RoseRodent · 11-20-2010, 01:34 PM

I agree, get checked out for scoliosis. It's probably nothing, but at least this is something you can rule out, and if you do have it then there's a chance it can be corrected. Since you have a photo where you have managed to align your spine it seems that some specialist exercises from a physical therapist would be likely to retrain your body to use that as your natural position. At least if your doctor tells you there's nothing to worry about and you are totally within the normal levels of asymmetry then he's telling you so from a proper examination.