I look too thin? What to do…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If all your clothes are hanging on you, you might be too thin for your build. Are you not able to wear even the smallest sized pants? Like a 23 or 24 inch waist hangs on you?

I'm the same height, 5 pounds heavier (15 years older) and I just look like an average sized person - not really thin, nor heavy. If anything, I look 10 or 15 pounds heavier than I am because I have broad shoulders and muscular arms (along with a bony torso, flat stomach, and flat chest). I would have to lose 15 pounds to have slender legs.

Not at all, I wear a 25, sometimes 24 in brands that run large.

I think posters saying gaining muscle would help are onto something… I do some weight training but nothing serious and while my arms are defined I think increasing my time lifting would help a lot. I do some cardio because I love it but I know that doesn’t help in terms of the results I’m looking for.

Also, I do think a lot if it is that I’m not sure how to dress myself and enhance curves. I like the way I look naked fine (although more muscle would definitely enhance), it’s mainly that in clothes I feel kind of bony and shapeless

[Anonymous]

I understand what you are dealing with. I’m 5’3” and 107 lbs. I’m 43 and look terribly frail. I’ve been trying to put on some muscle and it has helped. I try to emphasize my waistline when I dress and I think it improves my look. My face has really aged in the last 3 years. It’s true, thin does not age well. When I gain weight I gain it all in my gut which obviously doesn’t look good.

[Anonymous]

Are you a runner? I think my runner friends tend to look more gaunt then my friends that do other forms of exercise. I would try Pilates and strength training.

[Anonymous]

Definitely you need heavy weight strength training.

Aside from looking frail- you will BE frail if you don’t. After 35, you lose 3-5% of muscle mass per decade and even more after 60. Bone density also decreases with age. In someone already very thin, that natural muscle mass loss coupled with bone density loss will leave you very frail and injury prone. Being thin already predisposes you to osteoporosis. The only way to slow this done is heavy resistance training. You will look better too with more muscle- but ultimately it will keep you strong and healthy longer

[Anonymous]

Definitely strength, if nothing else to reduce risk of osteoporosis. I'm 5'8 and 125 so probably similar (if that "5lb per inch rule" is valid), and I definitely don't look too thin. I do have a boy-ish figure (no curves), but not a lot I can do about that. Lift heavy!

[Anonymous]

OP, are you at your natural weight? As in, not limiting calories to keep yourself slim? If so, I would respect your natural weight and not try to gain weight. If you are limiting calories, then stop doing that and eat normally.

I agree with strength training but generally, you are what you are and I’d dress in a way that flatters your figure and stop worrying about whether you are too thin [and I’d say the same to someone who is naturally heavier].

Respect your natural weight and work to stay healthy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Definitely strength, if nothing else to reduce risk of osteoporosis. I'm 5'8 and 125 so probably similar (if that "5lb per inch rule" is valid), and I definitely don't look too thin. I do have a boy-ish figure (no curves), but not a lot I can do about that. Lift heavy!

Way too thin, skeleton like probably

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don't wanted close fitting, you want fitted and tailored. All the things that some people hate, like pleated pants, look great on someone like you and add shape. You have shape, of course, you just need clothing that emphasizes it.

This. Look at how Keri Russell dresses in the Americans. It’s 80s style but she keeps it pretty classic (when not in spy disguises) and though she’s tiny she never looks too skinny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Definitely strength, if nothing else to reduce risk of osteoporosis. I'm 5'8 and 125 so probably similar (if that "5lb per inch rule" is valid), and I definitely don't look too thin. I do have a boy-ish figure (no curves), but not a lot I can do about that. Lift heavy!

Way too thin, skeleton like probably

Depends on the persons frame. PPs weight is within the healthy weight category for her height. I do think we aren’t used to seeing slim people in parts of the country so even a healthy thin person can look abnormal.

Like everyone said, lift weights and focus more on your diet- incorporate more healthy fats and protein into your diet. Embrace your size and go shopping for clothes that look flatter you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m 5’4 110lbs which is within the healthy weight range. I don’t diet or overexercize. Still, I feel as though I sometimes look too thin. Especially as I’m getting older, I’m in my mid 30s, I don’t want it to make me look for gaunt or sickly. I know one solution would be to gain weight but I worry that will present a host of other issues; muffin top, flabby arms etc. when I gain weight I do not, unfortunately, get curvier… I gain it all over.

Should I be working on building more muscle? How much will that actually impact the way I look?

Are there clothing styles that are particularly flattering for thin ruler/athletic shaped women?

I’m so sick of feeling like all of my clothes hang on me like I’m a hanger, it makes me feel less feminine and almost boyish. And more fitted clothes just highlight how skinny I am.

I’m sure you look great. But add some weight baring exercises while upping your protein. See AthleanX for women.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Definitely strength, if nothing else to reduce risk of osteoporosis. I'm 5'8 and 125 so probably similar (if that "5lb per inch rule" is valid), and I definitely don't look too thin. I do have a boy-ish figure (no curves), but not a lot I can do about that. Lift heavy!

Way too thin, skeleton like probably

It's appalling that women with a normal BMI still get body shammed by women like you in this "all bodies are healthy/beautiful" culture.

[Anonymous]

Yes, strength training. I looked too thin until I started adding strength.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Definitely strength, if nothing else to reduce risk of osteoporosis. I'm 5'8 and 125 so probably similar (if that "5lb per inch rule" is valid), and I definitely don't look too thin. I do have a boy-ish figure (no curves), but not a lot I can do about that. Lift heavy!

Way too thin, skeleton like probably

It's appalling that women with a normal BMI still get body shamed by women like you in this "all bodies are healthy/beautiful" culture.

Sure I'm on the low end of normal BMI but still "normal", and in no way do I look skeleton like. My doctor is very happy with my weight. And with aging, every pound gained feels like 5lb on my joints, so happy to be where I am.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Definitely strength, if nothing else to reduce risk of osteoporosis. I'm 5'8 and 125 so probably similar (if that "5lb per inch rule" is valid), and I definitely don't look too thin. I do have a boy-ish figure (no curves), but not a lot I can do about that. Lift heavy!

Way too thin, skeleton like probably

It's appalling that women with a normal BMI still get body shammed by women like you in this "all bodies are healthy/beautiful" culture.

Lol. I’m sure you never have a bad thing to say about any larger bodies. NP.

[Anonymous]

The face thinning is real and it’s not typically from your weight it’s more usually from loss of collagen as you age. Ask your dermatologist about laser to build collagen, I have found the effects are subtle but I at least notice them (“plumping” in cheeks and under eye.)