Feeling A Bit Meh

[Guest soitne]

I wish I had more of an androgynous body type I saw someone on the train today that looked quite andro and I was sad because I don't think I'll ever get to look half that good. But if I can get a bit closer I'll be happy.

I'm pretty sure it was a girl, but from the back you could hardly tell, if I'm even right that they were biologically female. The problem is they had a thiner more narrow and elongated figure. The problem is I have relatively broad shoulders and just a larger frame in general as I am biologically male. I really dislike my bigger more muscular legs

Anyone have any tips on how to get a more lean figure to balance this out? I have tried working out but every time I do I seem to put on more muscle bulk, there is still fat but the muscle is all that develops the fat stays. I've tried not doing any weightlifting and just doing running and it seems to just bulk up my legs this way. What about swimming will that slim me down of just add more muscle I don't want? I've started pilates as well hoping that may work.

I'm grabbing at straws here

I'm looking for anyone's input who has more experience with what works and what does not.

[Guest Cazz333]

I wish I had more of an androgynous body type I saw someone on the train today that looked quite andro and I was sad because I don't think I'll ever get to look half that good. But if I can get a bit closer I'll be happy.

I'm pretty sure it was a girl, but from the back you could hardly tell, if I'm even right that they were biologically female. The problem is they had a thiner more narrow and elongated figure. The problem is I have relatively broad shoulders and just a larger frame in general as I am biologically male. I really dislike my bigger more muscular legs

You could try being thnnier by eating slightly less and swimming, which builds lean muscle tissue rather than bulky muscle tissue. Avoid strength training unless its once or twice a week.

Anyone have any tips on how to get a more lean figure to balance this out? I have tried working out but every time I do I seem to put on more muscle bulk, there is still fat but the muscle is all that develops the fat stays. I've tried not doing any weightlifting and just doing running and it seems to just bulk up my legs this way. What about swimming will that slim me down of just add more muscle I don't want? I've started pilates as well hoping that may work.

I'm grabbing at straws here

I'm looking for anyone's input who has more experience with what works and what does not.

Running does give bulky legs at least with me and I'm a bio girl. Pilates can work if you combine with gymnastics perhaps or dancing. That gives lean muscles as it's more focused on stretching joints, toning muscle and increasing fitness. It can bulk abdominal muscles if you do belly dancing.

[Guest soitne]

To be honest I have pretty good eating habits, in fact I'm known in my circle of friends as not eating much. And when I eat, I eat pretty healthy. It's just I have a lot of muscle mass placed in a very masculine way. I have some fat but mostly I need to lose some of the muscle mass and tone up areas like my thighs.

I'm now feeling a bit more confident I can change my general body type from muscular to lean, which is what I would prefer. I don't like having as much muscle as I do, it looks gross to me.

I'll definitely start swimming more and running less. Thanks.

[Guest androgynous]

Hi soitne! good to have you here!

Yes I understand what you mean, but there is plenty of hope I can tell you straight away. One big straw we have isn't putting up a ton of makeup, but rather clothing and accessories. It is possible to tone your body with clothing alone, hence the reason woman also wear fitted clothing when there body isn't 100% fem looking, and be honest how many woman fit into a size XS and have the body of a model? Well, not many. Most woman struggle with this as well as we do, and need cloths to accentuate certain aspects.

I barely fit into a XL woman size, but I still buy and wear certain items woman wear. My chest is about 109 CM not exactly Marilyn Monroe!, but if you measure girls, you will find that they too have a big chest, difference is the body type. If your chest is like a V you can either sit down and cry about it, or you can turn it for your good, and accentuate the waist a bit more, that way you get a "wasp" like figure as well.

So accentuate what you already have, your good side.

Remember: love & appearance comes through the eyes and your smile, not through "looks" persay. Also people's perception about you is generally perceived due to a global image (like cloths) from a distance, but when close it's all about the eyes.

Yes, training will only increase your muscle thickness more & more. It's a good idea to go swimming since you'll tone all your muscles so that they can become lean instead of thick (male muscle is thick & female muscle is lean), just like you do in average day life. Also, by simply taking long walks, you will train many muscles in a good way as well. I too did lifting waits, and regret it now. Lifting weights will thickening the short muscles; scarring them to become thicker and thicker, so you never get "more" muscle, but thicker muscle. But, luckily muscles will tone down when you don't use them or don't train them anymore!

Goodluck ! you will do fine

[Guest Kino]

Cycling or swimming are great if you're carrying extra weight but from what it sounds like you're simply muscular. Is there really enough fat to lose? The bigger you are the more fat you need to be healthy. For a more androgynous build you probably want to lose muscle, then fat. Thankfully that's not hard - just cut down on the exercise! Pilates is a great alternative and I can really attest to flexibility.

Don't underestimate your poise either. A manly swagger is meant to be spotted a mile away - I think women are generally more adept at an androgynous look because men are cultured to think the way they act is natural. We don't see ourselves 'performing' maleness... but next time you're on the train count how many men sit with their legs wide open, no matter how packed it gets

[Sally]

Well you've heard it from a number of people - exercise very carefully - don't stop completely or you will just add fat to your bulk and the muscle mass while deteriorating will turn to fat and just be that much more of a problem - stick to stretching - palates is very good, so is yoga swimming develops the long muscles because each stroke involves a stretch.

Love ya,

Sally

[Guest Kier]

If you do want to do strength training, it's a good idea to do less weight with more reps, than vice versa. This trains the muscles differently (or so friend in the PhysEd department says) so that they're long and lean instead of short and bulky. Also, like the others said, swimming, biking, and yoga are really good for shaping the body.