[BostonMox]

I have always been "bottom heavy" or pear shaped, but now that I'm heavier than I ever was before (down 8 pounds from the heaviest and dropping!) I have gained weight in my arms. The thing is.. it's kind of wierdly distributed. My collarbone and shoulders are very slim and defined (I wouldnt even do much to change them) and the lower part of my arm is very small. I have small hands and wrists too. The thing is that the upper part of my arm is proportionally huge! I can see the definition of my muscle on top but the underarm part looks like it was injected with cottage cheese, stretch marks and all Does anyone know any exercises that target that area? Whenever I do arm exercises at the gym my shoulders and the top of my arms are the things that end up being sore and nothing underneath! I feel as though I will never be able to wave again!

[funniegrrl]

You can do tricep exercises to build muscle in that lower part of the arm, but you are not going to be able to reduce the fat and skin through exercise.

A classic tricep exercise is a French press. Hold a dumbell with both hands. (If I am able to do bicep curls with a 12-lb weight in each hand, then I will do the French press with a single 12-lb weight.) Lift the weight overhead so that your arms are straight up. Slowly lower the weight BEHIND your head, bending only at the elbows. You want your upper arms stay straight and parallell to your head, elbows pointed straight at the ceiling. The, lift the weight back up over your head.

You can take a look at the website www.exrx.net for lots of other tricep exercises. Typical ones you might try are dips, kickbacks, and pushdowns.

[artmaker]

I have the same problem pear shaped with small upper body...except my arms...and I do all the right arm exercises...but I think the key is giving yourself time and significant weight loss as well as exercise before the cottage cheese will disappear...at least that's what I've read and what I am hoping. I see the definition in my arms as well, but there is so much loose fat around it. Just keep plugging away and give yourself time.

Good luck!

[3fcuser1058250]

I agree with Artmaker, you need to give it time with an overall good food plan, weight bearing exercise and cardio to burn the fat.. There is no such thing as a spot reducing exercise...

[BostonMox]

Thanks for the help! I'll keep on pluggin' and try those arm exercises too!

[lizzbabe]

Rowing is a good cardio workout that targets your arms...of course not spot reducing but I feel it more than say, the stairmaster. Also the French Press is a good exercise but make sure your form is good otherwise it can be dangerous. A good tri exercise is the pushdown using the cables at your gym. You should be able to find a picture online to show how it's done but basically holding onto the bar at neck-height and then pushing down until your arm is extending is targeting the triceps. They are a small muscle and you will feel it if you hit it correctly. Good luck!!