For those who don't know, 'skinny fat' is when you're skinny, but have way more fat than muscle.

If you're facing the battle, go to google, and type in 'super skinny me' (it's a website), then in their search engine type in 'skinny fat'. Sorry, I can't post links yet. I'm going through this battle right now...

If you've conquered this, how long did it take? What was your diet like - More protein that average? Low carbs, and higher fat? I'm 5'9 and 139 lbs. Currently a size 8/9 and a size S. Cellulite and blah. I look good with my clothes ON, hahaha. My thighs are a bit too thick though. I'm hoping that by June, I will look really hot - Lean and fit. Doable?

I read that you should lift weight, forget about cardio and eliminate carbs especially afternoon. What should happen is over the time you will see difference in your body shape and you will lose inches, but the scale will have the same number.

Also it is recommended to have 2 days weight training for 3 months to see a result.

Just my $0.02….

I guess I've been skinny fat all my life -- only in college becoming a little more fat-fat. Smallish frame (13.7inch wrist), and have NEVER been athletic in my life, not even while I was an "athlete" in HS fencing. My BMI is a little higher than yours right now, I think, as the skinny fat has gradually become more fat-fat

I'm trying to fight it with caloric restriction (1300 cal/day), cardiovascular and strength-building exercises (-300 cal/day), and at least 80 g of protein a day. That makes about 25%-30% cal from protein, not an undoable number, and I'm constantly trying to increase it at the expense of carbs. Who knows if this is working, but my mom, a primary care physician, assures me that as long as my goals aren't actually bodybuilder-level, that amount of protein intake is fine, and the rest of my caloric balance is just a matter of personal preference.

PS I don't think cardio needs to be eliminated, but it's certainly not as important. You should look into non-weightlifting strength training, like Pilates and Vinyasa Yoga -- things that are a little bit cardio for a bit of calorie-burning and heart-training (having a good heart is always good, fat or not), but are REALLY good for building up toned muscles. At your height, the strong muscles from yoga and pilates will look dammnnn good.

Yoga, pilates, ballet, weight lifting, fusion workouts, and aerobic workouts that include toning will all do wonders. I swear by aerobic weight training, personally.

I'm so very uncomfortable with the whole idea of skinny fat.

How much are we going to raise the bar to what healthy and attractive is? Where does it stop? Are other women getting some sense of satisfaction at setting themselves up to always be falling short? Is body-hatred (or societal misogyny) so engrained that we need never to be satisfied with ourselves?

You're 5'9 and 135 pounds and wearing a size small and you're not okay with that?

MariaMaria, i think the concept of skinnyfat is used to describe people who have a low BMI but a high body fat percentage. It's not a beauty concept but a health one. Many women in the early 20th century -- before athleticism was seen as acceptable in women -- were skinny-fat. It's a beauty ideal in other parts of the world where women are not supposed to bulk up.

So I think it's a really healthy concept, actually. I means that muscle tone and other signs of strength and fitness are prized over smallness. It is possible and not uncommon for women who starve themselves in diets but don't exercise to be 120 lbs with nearly-obese body fat percentage -- and that's what "skinnyfat" describes: poor health at a smaller size. A lot of these women (I used to be one of them) have high cholesterol, poor eating habits, and a high risk profile for cardiovascular disease.

Agreed. And it reaaly is unhealthy. The Wall Street Journal did a recent article on the associated health risks: The Scales Can Lie: Hidden Fat

I would certainly say that strength training with weights would go a long way. It's a bit overwhelming if you're new to that world, so a personal trainer can be a good start to give you ideas and to guide you in proper form (or you could really hurt yourself).

And making sure your eating habits are healthy will help -- including eating more protein to help build that muscle.

As for a date of June, that's reasonable in my opinion. You'll start noticing a difference pretty early if you're consistent. Good luck!

To be clear-- I do understand what skinny fat is.

My beef is with making it yet another way that women are supposed to hate their bodies.

GirlMeetsPearls are you concerned about being "skinny fat" or what the article Sindaena posted refers to as "normal weight obese" for health or aesthetic reasons? There does seem to be solid evidence that low body weight but high fat percentage is unhealthy, as lackadaisy reminded us, but as MariaMaria seems to be alluding too, the idea of "skinny fat" is also used sometimes as a vanity concept. Your comments about wanting to get rid of cellulite and look really hot seem to suggest you're concerned about the aesthetics of having body fat, rather than the concern you may have too much body fat. Women are supposed to have body fat, including cellulite, and it's presence doesn't mean you are unhealthy and need to loose more fat/weight.

No one here can tell you if you have too much body fat- only a doctor or fitness expert could provide that. It's great you want to get in better shape with strength training but it may be prudent to consult an expert before trying to utilize strength training to get rid of your cellulite to get a professional opinion on trying to do so. Maybe you've already done that, just want to give that reminder to ensure health is a first priority over vanity

Good luck!

What about re phrasing this? -- Make women love their bodies with some exercise, good diet and toning?

I don't see anything wrong someone improving their looks and health.

Hate is such a powerful word. -- Hate comes from inside. I hope most women love themselves enough that no one else can "make" them do anything else.

At the end of the day, it is all about personal accountability.

Sorry, I don't buy your statement, because NO ONE can MAKE me do anything .

I have not been skinny-fat, but I feel as though I conquered it by lifting through out my weight loss. I am a heavy size 2-4-6 (depending on the store). My skin is taught and my muscles form a shape I like. I have no celluite, or at least none I'm going to search out. It's probably there.

I have followed a whole foods type diet with an emphasis on protein, veggies, fruits and complex carbs. I do crazy amounts of cardio including spinning and running. But more importantly, I lift heavy 2-3 days per week. I think it's the lifting and maybe genetics that have really helped me out.

I suggest adding lifting to your work out regime and don't be afraid to lift heavy with fewer (6-12) reps. Don't be surprised if your weight stays the same buy you lose inches.