If you’re an avid follower of my Instagram stories, you’ll have heard me mention the term “skinny fat” before and it’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot more since my jeans have been getting a bit snugger, my belly overhang that little bit more prominent and the skinny fitting dresses I’ve worn in the past are looking a bit more flab than fab. I’d like to take the phrase “skinny fat” from one of my all time favourite Youtubers Patricia Bright and tell you all what it means to me.
Before I continue with this post, I want to clarify that I’m not body-shaming anyone, I’m simply expressing the views I have on my own body and couldn’t give a shit if anyone thinks otherwise. I’m sure there will be eye-rolls at the title of this post – I’ve seen it in real life when I’ve mentioned my weight gain and wanting to tone it up a bit. Yes I’m aware I’m petite – it doesn’t mean I don’t need to tone up!
I’ve always been a skinny Minnie, I’m a petite 5 ft 2 (and a half – very important), small feet, boobs, a bit of a bigger bum and a flat tum – well flat tum until recently.
Ever since having the Mirena coil fitted in October of last year after having my meds changed and not being able to stay on the pill (I was on that bad lad for a decade!) I’ve slowly started to gather a bigger belly that I’ve never had before. All of my trousers, jeans and leggings have been digging into my gut making me feel continuously bloated and just not sexy – honestly seeing me bloated with a belly overhang is not the sexiest I’ve ever been. Poor Aaron.
I haven’t been comfortable with myself, so decided that I’d start getting my fit on by doing some more exercise. I’d been doing some yoga at home before Christmas, but have started going to classes with my bestie Maisie (granted I’ve only been to one so far!) and have been doing some belly fat blitzing exercises from YouTube. If you can’t afford to go to the gym, definitely prop your laptop up in front of you at home and search through the masses of exercise videos – it’s free!
I’m going to be tracking my progress with photos rather than scales as 1) I don’t have any scales and 2) I’ve only got one problem area – the rest of me is bloody fine which is what is a pain in the arse!
To kick this off, here are some pictures I got Aaron to take of me in my lovely gym gear he got me for Christmas, showcasing my lumps and bumps for all to see!
I’ll be honest, I don’t think it would bother me so much if I’d gained the same weight around my boobs 😉
So what is skinny fat? Someone that’s seemingly slim to the outside world, but unfit and untoned under wraps. Someone that’s spent most of their life not worrying about that cheeky takeaway they had, the family sized bar of chocolate that they gobbled in mere minutes – all because it’s not had a consequence, until one day it does.
The key thing I want people to take away from this post is that everyone has their hang ups – it’s easy to dismiss someone’s feelings about their body, but it doesn’t make them any less valid. I simply feel uncomfortable and quite frankly, I’m not having any of it and doing something to make me feel better about myself.
Are you a gym bunny or more of a couch potato? Have you got any health and fitness goals for the year? Let me know in the comments below!
bloggerexercisefbloggertummy fat exercisestummy toneweight lossweight loss journeyyoga
The bit about your boobs made me laugh – you can have some of mine if you want! I’d gladly give them away haha, they’re bloody annoying. I think you look perfect just the way you are but if you feel that it would make you happier in yourself, I hope you achieve what you’re setting out to do! I really hate exercise, I wish I could love it but I just don’t. I do really love swimming though so I’d love to get back into it this year as I used to basically be a mermaid, I basically lived in the pool once upon a time! I can’t wait to see your progess, good luck Gab x
Alice // http://www.accordingtoalicex.com
I used to love swimming too (although I’m not the greatest at it haha!) – I’d also gladly take your boobs, mine no longer match my body shape 😂😂❤️❤️
Love this post Gaby! I’m exactly the same – I was a gymnast when I was very young and have always been used to having a very toned and skinny frame, however I now have a bit of a tum and it makes me feel super self conscious. It’s also annoying when people say ‘what are you on about, you don’t need to lose weight’ or ‘but there’s nothing to you!’ (insert eye roll here).. We’re all allowed to feel conscious about something and the only bit I hate about my body is my tummy that has gotten bigger and always looks bloody bloated! It’s also not even about losing weight, it’s just about losing the lumpy fat bits on your tummy – so basically, I totally agree with this post and we can do this together, woo!xo
Char | http://www.charslittleblog.co.uk
It’s really shite when people make comments about your weight or your body, whatever way it may be! I’ve dropped quite a bit of weight recently because of various things that I haven’t been able to control and the amount of people telling me to put weight back on or telling me to eat more is ridiculous. The funny thing is I’ve never been so happy with what my body looks like but no one bothers to think about that and it’s not like I’m underweight in the slightest. Everyone is allowed to have hang-ups, no matter on their shape or size and I always think if it’s healthy then it’s important to support and encourage someone wanting to better themselves! Excited to see updates 🙂
Alice Xx