To be fed up hiding my arms in summer?

[Ghostlife]

I am so fed up doing this but no idea how to get beautiful arms.

[diddl]

You don't have to hide them just because they aren't "beautiful".

[haveabreakhaveakitkat]

Is it the shape/size or skin problems or something else?

[Silvercatowner]

Unless you are a T Rex then you are being unreasonable.

[manicinsomniac]

I understand how you feel but the problem is with you self perception/self esteem and caring about what other people think, not the size/shape/deformity/marks or whatever it is that bothers you about your arms.

People of a size 4 and a size 34 do and should wear strappy tops in summer. As do people with skin problems, scars, regretted tattoos and all sorts of things that might make them feel self conscious.

Having said that, if you want to improve the shape of your arms - lift heavy weights.

[SquareTheCircle]

Ive always hidden mine. But this year I thought fuck it, life's too short and bought a vest top.

[Ghostlife]

Shape but don't like gyms but can't find any dvds to help

[SpamAnderson]

I'm, well, I'm fat, not just overweight, I have a high BMI and have always been ashamed of my wobbly arms. I also have a very mild skin condition on them, can't remember the name but it makes the skin resemble goosebumps. 2 years ago I was still wearing big cardigans and jumpers to hide my arms when I went outside. Last year I decided enough was enough. My arms aren't pretty but I'm damned if I'm going to bake every summer just to make sure my arms aren't showing. This year I'm 29 weeks pregnant and even going out in maxi dresses that show off my arms and bra straps too :)

[firesafety]

I'm with square, although I took the plunge a couple of years ago.

I still have reservations, and cover up occasionally, but most of the time? meh.

[manicinsomniac]

you don't need a gym or a dvd.

get a bar and some free weights and do a variety of bicep, tricep and shoulder exercises that you can find and copy on youtube.

[Cornettoninja]

What's wrong with them?

I do sympathise. I'm a hairy beast with a nice dose of psoriasis so basically look like I should shower with head and shoulders but bit of wax and a fuck it attitude means I eventually get em out. Takes a build up of courage though.

I can heartily recommend going to a busy city or town centre and doing a bit of people watching. There are all sorts out there and honestly no one is paying that much attention to you.

[Dawndonnaagain]

This year I too thought fuck it, only to have my psoriasis commented on by bags older than I.

[BaronessBomburst]

Somebody recently told me to stop waving at a toddler as my bingo wings were flapping.
I replied "Well of course they are! I'm 43. Your's will flap too when you're my age."
You don't need to hide. Wear what you like.

[Theycallmemellowjello]

No one notices your body as much as you do! Look around you and notice that hardly anyone has a 'beautiful' body. If you start going out less covered in quieter places (maybe for a country walk?) that might feel like a safe place to start?

[Cornettoninja]

Cross posted, there are loads of things you can do with light weights to help improve your arms.

Tins of beans feature strongly in women's magazines for a quick weight substitute.

[JeanneDeMontbaston]

I have the goosebumpy thing. It always bugged me, but the other day I cottoned on that I don't find it unattractive on other women (it's just skin, right?), and it's quite common. So, more vest tops.

[firesafety]

Bra straps may be a step too far, spam...

[missingmumxox]

Ghost you are not looking hard enough, you tube, Google, NHS podcasts, apps, All have free exercise workouts, you can watch them, listen to them or look at diagrams.

You don't even need to buy weights, you can either use your own body weight or tins (baked beans are my choice)
God luck

[Cornettoninja]

Fuck 'em dawn.

It's a cruel joke, but the sun is usually really good for psoriasis and it's not fair to miss out.

[TheCatsWhisker]

I used to hate my arms but since I've been doing Darcey Bussell's pilates for life DVD I can now happily wear a sleeveless top. I cannot recommend it enough, the arms section is fab. I've had better results with this then I ever did with weights.

[BaronessBomburst]

I used to hide my legs and knees. My mother told me, as a teenager, that I had pasty legs and horrible knees. And because I always kept them hidden they stayed pasty.
I think I was in my 30's before I thought stuff it and donned a skirt. And now because I wear a skirt at the first sight of spring sunshine my legs are no longer pasty.
Still got the same knees though.

[ghostyslovesheep]

There is nothing wrong with your arms I'll bet but if you really want to tone up buy some hand weights (or water bottles) and go on youtube

[haveabreakhaveakitkat]

Bottles of water make good weights. Hold them in front of you, arms straight palms up and bend elbows bringing bottles into your body. Also hold bottles palms down arms straight out to your sides and lift arms up and down (hard to describe, google arm exercises)

[Piefacepieface]

I'm the same - I'm a size 12 but my arms are actually massively fat compared to the rest of my body ! They're probably quite toned under the horrible layer of fat as I do exercise a lot. I see a lot of women that are bigger than me overall but have much thinner, nicer looking arms

[furrymuff]

spam the goose bumpy skin is keratosis pilaris - it often helps if you use a cream with urea in it - seems to clear it up. Try Eucerin or something similar? ghost I feel the same about my arms, but this summer I've just thought stuff it and am wearing vests! The more you do it the easier it gets

[BualadhBos]

Do you think men worry about their arms? Just get them out!