To ask why I look like a sack of spuds at my weight

[Boiledpotatowitchbitch]

Been looking at before and after pictures on social media adverts for diets etc. (I know) The before photos look like me very out of shape etc but their weights are about 6 stone more and then the after photos are either the weight I am now or slightly less. So how come I look like 20 stone when I am 11stone 8 and how come the after photos are about that and I look nothing like that? I know everyone's different body shape heights etc but I am seriously all out of proportion. I 100% look like a sack of spuds I think larger women look amazing and thinner ones too but mostly carry their weight fairly evenly I just look like a melted cake with bulges everywhere I am 5 foot 5 was slim curvy. Measurement is 34f waist 32 hips 44 size 12-14 top 14-16 bottom but really 14 jeans too small and 16 trousers too big I know this isn't huge but I am just so lumpy and bumpy nothing looks nice at all.

I know this is no help but I'm the same size as you. I also look like a sack of spuds.

I am positive you do not look like a sack of spuds!
Try exercising, walking lifting weights is great. If anything is bulging is because you need to firm up a bitt. I am the same. I got a generous muffin top.
Also, it may be your underwear!

How fit are you? Because people can be the same weight but have different muscle tone and it can make a huge difference.
Also 11stone 8 isn't huge for your height but if you are small built it may be.
I am taller, wide build (big shoulders) and would look overweight at that weight tbh.
Plus the pics on social media with the "before" weights are probably fake so don't bother comparing.

I agree that you shouldn't expect social media ads to be accurate and honest!

Forget the numbers and concentrate on how you look and feel, and if you think you need to do something about it, do.

People carry weight differently. I think exercise would really help your shape. I'm not far off your weight and I'm 5 foot 1 but don't look bulgy or even that fat as I'm more toned and exercise. I'm not deluded though I know I need to lose weight which im working on.

Some of it will be down to genetics and body shape, I am the same height and weight as you and would like to think I dont look like a sack of spuds 😁 I do work out relatively often, you can be the same weight as someone but one could be very muscular and therefore much slimmer despite being the same weight. There may also be an element of body dysmorphia at play as well and you may be far less spud like than you think you are

I’m bigger than you in the waist/hips and don’t think I look like a sack of spuds. Heavier than I’d like, but I suspect that’s true of a lot of us.

Buy clothes that fit properly and flatter your shape. There’s nothing wrong with being a big big if you’re not flabby

I think exercise helps massively and helps people hold their weight well. Walking lots, yoga, things that strengthen the core.

And posture. Exercise helps with this, but if you tend to slouch, or have round shoulders or stand as though you are trying yo make yourself smaller then you will look significantly worse. Stand straight, shoulders back and down 😉

I'm similar proportions to you and don't think I look like a sack of spuds..I don't think you do, either, I think you're being too hard and overly critical of yourself.

The right sort of exercise definitely helps, once you tone up muscles and improve posture there can be a big difference.

Stand up straighter
Check your underwear actually fits properly
Start weight training to tone up

Also you are your own worse critic, bet you don't actually look as bad as you think

Thanks yes OK this is good. I have come to conclusion
I am small built (ha ha) and have different (none) muscle tone therefore I look more bulging.
I am not fit at all and yes I do need to tone up as of course it is all just going to hang duhhh
Yes I probably do wear wrong underwear
So there are several exercise regimes I cannot do due to back issues (no planks stomach crunches running and no weights either) so how do I lose the flabby stomach without doing sit ups weights and crunches? Maternity smock? Tummy tuck or is there an exercise solution for this?

You probably need to build some muscle. Get down the gym and start lifting heavy!

I’m 5’6”. I held all my weight on my thighs and stomach when I was 11-12stone, I wasn’t at all happy with how I looked. I was kind of skinny around the calves and collar bone, but lumpy in the middle. I suppose everyone distributes weight differently.

I took up cycling, I lost a few stone and my whole physique changed. I’m now leaner and weight is more evenly spread across my body. Exercise can help change your shape and posture.

Yep and sure I am always slouching too (can you see me?!) cycling sounds great although getting a bit chilly for that I don't really like yoga but is there any other stomach removing exercise I can do that does not involve weights or crunches or sit ups?

Pilates. If you can find a good instructor (and they may operate through your gym) then they can guide you through exercises tailored around your back problem.

If you can afford a handful of 121 sessions, that would be great so they can show you how to do them, but any good instructor will be able to adapt exercises for you.

Your tummy will look better if you lose body fat. You don't need to do sit-ups or crunches. Any exercise will help.

Can you not do any weights at all? A decent PT might help you work out what you can do safely and even strengthen your back (depending on what the issue is).

Make an appointment to see a stylist at John Lewis. You may find that with different clothes suit your shape better and theyll give your confidence a boost!

I'm sure you don't look like a sack of spuds, btw, your figure sounds fine to me.

Another vote for posture and underwear. Wear clothes that fit and flatter and look after your general appearance which will help you feel comfortable about standing straight and not hunching.

pilates can be quite life changing. I have a back which is bad enough to be classified as disabled but I can still do quite high level Pilates including planks. Have some lessons and open your mind to the possibility of being stronger than you think.

Yeah I'm a very similar height / weight and also look like a sack of spuds. I'm my case it's because I have a small frame ( teeny wrists, ankles , shoulders etc) and should be at least 1.5 - 2 stone lighter than I am.

There's some good ideas on here, i just want to echo the pp who mentioned genetics. My family produce legs like tree stumps. They're working legs, strong, not elegant. Even when I was at my thinnest lowest body fat i still had the family legs.

You might be being overly self critical with the sack of spuds comment, but also do have a look at your family for what you can reasonably hope to change and what might just be how your genes operate.

Have a look at Lucy Wyndham-Read's videos on youtube.

She's a qualified trainer who does short targeted routines (legs and thighs, glutes, abs, arms muffin top...), using just your body weight so very safe. Some of them last only 5 minutes but they really work if you stick at it.

Great underwear that fits well can literally make a 100% difference to how you look too op. Get fitted for a decent bra, wear knickers that don’t cause lumps and bulges and make sure your outer clothes fit and flatter you too.

I’m taller than you and at my heaviest I looked like a sack of spuds at a lighter weight. I did absolutely no exercise other than walking a couple of miles to work. I started swimming and eating less/better food choices (I would think nothing of eating a huge cheese sandwich and a slice of cake for lunch) - I gradually lost some weight and gained a bit of muscle that made my spud-like body look considerably better. I started getting compliments on my legs and shoulders.

Its not easy and you have to commit to making a change, if you want to. I still have cellulite, that will probably never go away, but I’m so much happier with my overall shape.

Clean up your diet and find some exercise that you enjoy and gets you stronger.

I was gutted after losing 2 stone after my second baby. Was a normal weight but everything was saggy.

Your back probably hurts because you have a weak core.

Can you afford a PT? If not, Pilates is a good shout