Would you say I am fat?

Question

Ok, I am 16, 5'5 and 139 lbs. I know that that is 'middling' on the BMI scale (23.0) but I have a very fat, flabby belly and hips.
I also have a muffin top in jeans that actually fit me and very soft, flabby love handles. My thighs aren't exactly svelt, either. I was wondering if this had something to do with chest size too (I am a 36 D).
I just want a gerneral view and also at what point would you consider a girl 'fat'? thanks x

oh I forgot, here is a photo

http://a939.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/41/l_a6b7351441dfeef576a1a9c1d0fb76c2.jpg

My body fat % is 25.9%

Answer 1

Are you fat? Three words: NOT EVEN CLOSE. OK, so you say you have a flabby belly and hips, and that your thighs aren't exactly svelte either, but you have a great shape and curves in all the right places. Besides, the truth is guys like girls like you much more than they like the skinny, anorexic-looking waifs the fashion industry is chucking down the catwalks these days. You look robust and healthy -- those toothpicks look like sick and malnourished.

Since you asked, I'm going to give you some generic advice. I really don't think you need to be worried about your weight since you look fine and you're still growing, but now is a good time for you to develop good eating and exercise habits that will keep you healthy and always within 5 to 10 pounds of your ideal weight. So please take this in the manner intended -- I'm not saying you're fat and you need to lose weight; I'm simply encouraging you to lead a healthy lifestyle that includes eating right and exercise.

OK, here are my tips:

1. Do some type of exercise every day, even if it’s just a 15-minute walk around the neighborhood. Don’t say you don’t have time for exercise; you have to MAKE time. Yes, it takes time and effort, but you’re worth it, right?

2. Walk as much as you want, but don’t do cardio for more than 40 minutes at a time. If you do, you risk burning muscle instead of fat.

3. If you do strength training, use light weights and do lots of repetitions. That’ll really help you “tone up.”

4. Your diet will make you or break you. You have probably learned bad eating habits over time (most people do). That’s not your fault, but now you have to deal with it. Make a commitment to yourself to unlearn those bad habits and re-learn better habits.

5. Eat breakfast every day within an hour of getting up. People who don’t are 450% more likely to be overweight.

6. Eat six small meals or snacks per day instead of three squares per day or one big meal per day. Your body expends energy digesting your food, so eating smaller portions more often keeps your metabolism running high because you’re constantly digesting food.

7. Avoid these as much as possible:

-- Trans fat (any type of partially or fully hydrogenated oil)
-- High fructose corn syrup (soft drinks are LOADED with it)
-- Fast food
-- Junk food
-- White sugar, white flour, white rice, white potatoes
-- The deadly C’s (cookies, cakes, candy, chips, cola)

8. Build your diet around these trim-body-friendly foods:

-- Nuts, any kind (almonds are best)
-- Beans/Legumes
-- Fresh vegetables (green is GREAT!!!)
-- Dairy products (as long as they’re low-fat or non-fat)
-- Eggs
-- Lean meats (fish and poultry top the list)
-- Olive oil
-- Whole grain breads/cereals/pasta
-- Fresh fruits (anything that ends in “berry” is a winner)
-- Tea (green tea or black pekoe tea)
-- Cold water or ice water (your body has to expend extra calories to heat it up)

9. Desserts and treats are the exception, not the rule. Having said that, however, (1) you can have a couple of pieces of chocolate every day – just don’t overdo, and (2) Allow yourself one “cheat meal” every week where you eat and drink whatever you want as long as you don’t gorge yourself. That’ll help keep you from feeling deprived and it’ll make it easier to stick with your new healthy eating plan.

Good luck!

Answer 2

From what you said, your weight sounds as if it's doing fine. What your probably sensing is a lack of muscle tone and general fitness, but you are still growing and everyone's body is different. You seem to have a naturally curvy body, which is something that many women want. I'm also a naturally soft, curvy person and, let me tell you, I have to work extra hard to keep myself toned, fit, and at a healthy body weight. But no matter what that curvaceousness never goes away because of my body type (and I don't want it to. ^_^ )

At your age, you can start developing healthy habits now by exercising regularly. Take a long walk, do some crunches, go swimming, enroll in a martial arts class, etc. Just get active. Also start drinking more water, taking vitamins, and eating fruits and veggies, you'll see a difference within a couple of months. At 139 lbs. you shouldn't stress about your weight, just focus on overall health and fitness. Good luck.

Answer 3

A little thick maybe, but not fat at all. Judging by the recent tabloid assault on waifish celebrities and the Spanish ban on extra-skinny supermodels, being "too thin" is a fading trend. Having a bit of extra weight on you is not a bad thing as long as you don't go into the realm of being unhealthy or sloppy looking.

Although, everyones interpretation is different, it sounds as if you've already decided that you aren't really a slimmy. If you have body concerns, toning up a bit wouldn't hurt, you've already got a decent package to start with. But I don't think you have much to worry about in terms of being called fat, so if you decide to maintain at your current weight, you're still doing just fine.

What I usually call 'fat', is when someone looks out of proportion in their own skin. (ie, When someone's arms or legs look shorter than they should or when their face looks small in comparison to the size of their head.)

Answer 4

According to most doctors, once your body fat percentage gets into the 30's, this would be overfat. The amount of body fat you can have goes up with age.

I do think you look closer to 28%-29% body fat, but check with your doctor to be sure.

Answer 5

your weight is definetly in a healthy range for your height and age but from the looks of that picture your body fat % is probably close to 30% which is way to high for your age. you should have less than 20% body fat for your age

Answer 6

I wouldn't say fat, but it wouldn't hurt to exercise and trim up a little. It's a lot easier to keep your weight under control when you're just getting a little bit chubby, as opposed to waiting until you're definitely fat.

Answer 7

NO HONEY YER FARFROM FAT! DONT WORRY..your still growing and its baby fat you see..its going to go away

Answer 8

I'd say u were just right. If you like how u are and are confident with yourself.

Answer 9

kinda sorta, well maybe a lil, not exactly......well ok f*** it. u are, and thts not a 36D...stop tryna show off ur body, to get comments saying ur thick, lose the belly (by eating less) and u will be stout.

Answer 10

yes, you are fat and not in very good shape. you should exercise more and you would be in better shape but for now I wouldn't be showing off all that baby fat until it is gone.