Hi Brittany. I’m not associated with this website, just a casual observer. It sounds a lot like you’re skinny fat. A similar thing happened to me, where I was steadily putting on more and more weight around my gut even though I was eating in a calorie deficit and doing the same workouts (cardio & yoga). I was also underweight, though my weight was getting harder and harder to maintain. My chest looked shrivelled and scrawny and my legs were like pins. Your body type means you put fat around your hips (better than me!).

My advice—do not keep losing weight! It will only make things worse. Instead, begin lifting heavy with your upper body. My favourite is pull-ups (weighted) but if you can’t do those, do something similar. Trust me–you won’t look skinny in your chest for long. You will be astounded. And the funny thing is that as a “newbie”, all that fat you’re putting on around your hips should start to disappear. It will almost seem like it moves into your chest (it doesn’t actually do that but it does seem like it!).

You say it’s like the fat is pulling from your upper body while your lower body size doesn’t shift. That’s not correct. Your body is pulling MUSCLE from your upper body (and probably your lower body) and turning it into FAT in your legs.

Your problem isn’t too much muscle–it’s too LITTLE muscle! What you’ve probably done as you’ve lost weight is lose a lot of muscle too. This happens particularly when you’re in your thirties and above when your body is no longer able to maintain it on its own. When you catabolise muscle, your metabolism quickly craps out and you start to gain fat in all the wrong places. You can fix this—and very quickly!

Be prepared, however, for some serious muscle gain in your chest and shoulders and an obvious narrowing of your waist when you work your upper body. But your legs and hips will slim out and you’ll look much more in proportion. That’s what happened to me (though the fat moved from my belly). And then you can start working on the muscle on your legs when your shoulders start getting too big!

Now this is all just an educated assumption based on my own experiences and a lot of personal research but give my suggestion a try. If you don’t like it, you can stop. What have you got to lose? Except fat!! Haha.

On a personal note, I’ve put on 8kg (intentionally) in a year and look slimmer and more lean than I ever have. I lift heavy and do very little cardio. I am now a BMI of 21, the heaviest I’ve been in 15 yrs. Nobody has noticed the weight gain. My tummy is non-existent. My six-pack is becoming more prominent. If you’re underweight, you should contemplate gaining weight (muscle)—when you’re ready. But do it properly! You need to bulk & cut. Research muscle building on Youtube—particularly from men. It’s a great start and they focus on what’s important (muscle & strength!), not weight loss.

Hi Brittany! 😊 Thank you for reaching out and sharing your concerns. I can totally understand how frustrating this must be for you. First, are there any other activities you’re doing that target your lower body? Sometimes, certain types of training can build muscle in your thighs instead of burning fat, which might be why they’re not leaning out. If you’re focusing on strength training for your lower body, this might contribute to muscle growth, which could make your thighs appear larger, even if you’re losing weight overall. If you’re on a calorie deficit, be mindful of the types of food you’re consuming, as they can also play a role in how and where your body stores fat. It’s important to fuel your body with the right nutrients to support fat loss, especially in targeted areas like your thighs.

If you’re looking to target fat loss on your thighs, I’ve written some articles that might help guide you in the right direction,

https://www.rachaelattard.com/inner-and-outer-thigh-workout-for-women/
https://www.rachaelattard.com/best-inner-outer-thigh-workout-women-2/
https://www.rachaelattard.com/what-is-calorie-deficit-and-how-to-use-it-for-weight-loss/

Ultimately, if you’re underweight and seeing bone definition in your upper body, it might be time to focus on maintaining your overall health and consider switching to a more balanced approach that supports overall fat loss and toning, without pushing further into a deficit. Let me know if you have any more questions or need further guidance, I’m here to help!

Love,
Rach & The Femme Nativa Team

Hi lovely! If your goal is to slim down not just your legs but also your whole body, there are 3 steps you should follow – do the right type of cardio and bodyweight resistance training for your body type and adjust your diet for weight loss by applying a calorie deficit.
I have a very detailed blog post that will help you address your concern so please go give it a read. It will definitely help! :)

Hi lovely,

If you’re unsure about your body type, feel free to send us your photos in fit/sports clothing (ex. leggings, a top..) and we’ll gladly help. :) Don’t worry because the photos won’t leave the email thread. You can email it to info@rachaelattard.com and we’ll assist you.

Love,
Len