[coldbrightday]

OK, so I know that we don't lose weight evenly over our whole bodies, and that it's pretty much out of our control. I've heard both that it tends to come off top to bottom, and that it tends to come off slowest in your "trouble spots". Since I carry most of my weight in my hips and thighs, the two are one and the same for me.

I'm up a few pounds lately, but back when I was around 152 (which I plan to be again soon ) I noticed that my neck and upper arms were looking a little... I don't know... stringy. Sinewy. Not too SMALL really, just kind of a weird tone that I associate with people who are very thin, and which I don't find particularly attractive.

Now don't get me wrong, I love my round butt. Again, it's a tone/texture thing rather than a size thing -- I'd like to be smoother, less dimply. By continuing to lift weights and run and walk and count calories, I know that will happen. But I don't want my upper body to look totally gaunt.

Like I said, I know I can't spot reduce my lower body. But is there anything I can do to make sure by the time my legs are totally rocking, that my collarbones don't look like Madonna's? My gut is telling me that losing the weight more gradually (not that I'm going crazy now, losing roughly 1.5 lbs a week) might help it come off more evenly, or more smoothly. Or maybe a different form of cardio besides running -- after all different kinds of athletes definitely have drastically different-looking bodies? Or perhaps the stringiness I'm talking about is partly due to a little excess skin and should bounce back after awhile? Or am I off my rocker? Other ideas?

(Cross posted to featherweights)

[lorilove]

I get a skinny neck and collarbone myself. I don't think there is much you can do. In my case, I still have a round face so I look healthy. My sister has a slender face and she can look gaunt.

I would probably not worry so much abou the weight an concentrate on lean body mass. Unfortunately running is the best option for slimming the hips and thighs.

[jeweliek]

What do you do for exercise?

Have you added any weight training? Toning the muscle and building it up (I'm not saying Arnold or anything) will help give you a strong smooth base that eats up cals and boosts your metabolism to help you lose more weight.

[sh3l5]

i am experiencing the same....
my whole top halfs fairly thin....
but my mid sections a lil chunkier....
with out my handles id be a size 10 easy!....
its irritating, grrr....

[coldbrightday]

lorilove -- yeah, i have a goal weight posted but it's not set in stone since it's not about the number so much as how I feel and look. I plan to reevaluate once I'm below 150.

jeweliek -- I run 2-3 miles, 3 times a week, walk part of my commute as often as I can (generally adds up to at least 5 miles a week), and free weights for about 20 minutes 3-4 times a week. Yoga, gardening, etc. on the weekends.

I definitely think that increasing muscle tone/mass will help, and I've been thinking about shifting the balance of my exercise time to be slightly more weight lifting and slightly less cardio.

[BlueToBlue]

My suggestion would be strength training. I have a personal trainer and through working with him, I've really been able to increase my muscle tone in my upper body. My top half has always been smaller than my bottom and the strength training has really helped even things out. A couple of months ago I tried on a dress that was too big through the hips and too small through the chest--the exact opposite of the problem I used to have.

Maybe you should try the New Rules of Lifting for Women program--I'm not doing it because I have a trainer and it's his job to figure out my strength training program, but a lot of women the maintainers and weight lifting forums are following it and really seem to like it.

[Lyria]

I'm like that as well - I lose weight very quickly through my top half. At the moment my collar bones are sticking out like crazy people! My breastbones are also somewhat visible - and my shoulder points stick out. I kind of like it though.

I agree with the strength training - I started doing pump about 4 months ago and my arms, back and shoulders are really nicely toned now. They're not just "skinny" but well...shapely I guess the word is.

Heh, my gym instructor came up to me a little while back and mentioned I have really great arms - I was surprised he even noticed, but very pleased!

[gtekkrom]

Personal trainer at a good gym is definately the way to go. Share your concerns with him/her and target those "trouble areas" to get them toned.

It sounds like you've got the motivation! You'll get there! Keep up the good work!