Apple or Pear?

[tctrek]

I had another thread going about gaining weight after a ride and also about my inability to lose weight overall, but I thought this topic might be too much of a drift, so I'm starting another thread.

I've been discussing inability to lose weight with my friends and we think we may have found something common among those of us that eat right, wholesome/balanced diets, workout regularly, don't drink, don't smoke, etc. yet for some weird reason cannot lose weight.. or maybe lose a pound every other month. Those of us having this problem are all "apple" shaped. We carry our weight primarily in our belly and upper torso. Yet, we have slim legs, and are small in the hips and butt. My friend who loses weight more easily is "pear" shaped. Her arms, chest, belly is small, but she's bigger in her thighs, hips and butt.

I was wondering if the girls on TE find this pattern to be true as well? Are you Apple or Pear shaped and do you have trouble losing weight or do you maintain your weight/lose weight easily?

[GLC1968]

I'll be the first to burst the bubble. :(

I'm a pear and I have a hell of a time losing weight. I've even worked with a coach who monitored my intake, exercise (including intensity) and such...and he called me a classic 'weight fighter'. It takes herculean effort for me to lose weight and because if this, I lately find myself 'giving up' before I've even put in enough effort to make it worthwhile. It's like I know what I need to do, but I just don't have it in me (mentally) to make that kind of commitment again...so I don't. :o

[tctrek]

I'll be the first to burst the bubble. :(

I'm a pear and I have a hell of a time losing weight.

OK - it was worth asking! From an apple to a pear, I feel your pain, sister!

[Cataboo]

I'm a pear, my sister's an apple - she gains & loses weight more easily than I do. i have a heck of a time getting it off once I put it on.

[channlluv]

<--apple and pear, but more pear, I think, and I have a really hard time losing weight.

Yesterday I wore a high-viz lime green long sleeved t-shirt for my 20 miles around Lake Miramar, and people were staring - literally, open-mouthed gaping, a few of them. It's not like I was mooning anybody, and my top was fully covered. I caught my silhouette here and there and I guess I looked pretty huge in that bright green. Oh well.

Roxy

[Susan Otcenas]

I'm neither apple nor pear. I'm fortunate to be very proportionate. I was overweight for quite a few years. But once I buckled down and found the right ratio of inputs to outputs, I've not found it that hard to lose weight. Yes, it's required a LOT of discipline, but as long as I've stayed on plan, I've lost.

[Biciclista]

but you pears have an advantage over the apples, better heart health!

[katluvr]

Pear here. And not only do have have the hips...but big legs teh way down. Muscled, but w/ a nice overlayer of --ok let's say it--FAT.

When I lose weight (and have) it is upper body first. And my bra size (eh hem--cup size) definitely decreased.

I look at women that are apples but mild apples and which I had those lean legs. I hate my legs. (but I still wear shorts--hey I live in FL--what can I do?!)

I think it is the fact taht we are WOMEN that makes it hard to lose weight. Darn it....I don't need to be built for carrying and birthing babies!

[lauraelmore1033]

I think I'm a potato.

I would LOVE to have a nice, feminine, pear shape...

[Karma007]

I'm a pear. Itty bitty waist, but from there down I can't fit through a doorway...

[michelem]

I've been discussing inability to lose weight with my friends and we think we may have found something common among those of us that eat right, wholesome/balanced diets, workout regularly, don't drink, don't smoke, etc. yet for some weird reason cannot lose weight.. or maybe lose a pound every other month. Those of us having this problem are all "apple" shaped. We carry our weight primarily in our belly and upper torso. Yet, we have slim legs, and are small in the hips and butt.

You may want to get tested for PCOS. Two risk factors/symptoms are the inability to lose weight and being apple shaped.

http://www.afterthediet.com/polycystic.htm

Consider the following questions:

Do you have a family history of infertility, irregular periods, or diabetes?
Are you of Hispanic descent?
Do you have a history of early puberty (first period at 11 years or younger?)
Did you ever take medication for depression, bipolar disorder, seizure disorder, epilepsy, or migraine?*
Did you ever have gestational diabetes in any of your pregnancies?
Do you have an android ("apple shaped") body type (measure your waist to hip ratio; greater than .8 equals an android body type)?
Do you have irregular periods (or none at all)
Do you have dark velvety patches of skin on you neck, groin, or in your armpits?
Do you have hair loss or male balding spots?
Difficulty losing weight?
Intense cravings for carbohydrates or sweets?
Problems conceiving?
Decreased sex drive?
Excess hair growth on your face, like a mustache or beard?
Excess hair on your chest or back?
Acne on your face, chest or back?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are at a higher risk for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, which can place you at risk for diabetes and certain types of cancer. Print out this list and take it to your doctor.
*Not all medications for all of these conditions cause PCOS. However, if you are on these medications and have noticed an increase in other symptoms, please consult with your physician.

[AnnieBikes]

Pear, definitely a pear!!!

[solobiker]

I am a pear with hypothyroidism. I have a very hard time with losing weight. When I was younger...in my late 20s and early 30s I could lose weight more easily. Now it just stays there no matter how hard and disciplined I am:(

[ASammy1]

I'm pretty well proportioned and nobody can tell how much I weigh. They always put me about 30 lbs less than what I actually weigh. If I put my mind to it, I can lose pretty easily, but once I get off track it comes right back on.

[maillotpois]

I think I'm a potato.


SNORT!! Classic!! I think I am an artichoke. Basically pear shaped but prickly..... :D

[lauraelmore1033]

I think I'd rather be an artichoke than be a potato

[tctrek]

You may want to get tested for PCOS. Two risk factors/symptoms are the inability to lose weight and being apple shaped.

http://www.afterthediet.com/polycystic.htm


Thanks, michelem, but I had a complete hysterectomy 20 years ago. I do however have a tendency towards high glucose counts and I take Metformin for it, which is the medication they give most people with PCOS and with mild diabetes.

I actually lost 35 pounds last year- I ate 1200 calories a day and started taking the Metformin. When I got down to a more "normal" weight I started exercising and got my bike. As soon as I started to exercise I stopped losing weight. I've tried upping my calories, working at lower heart rates, you name it. I do resistance/weight training 3 times a week and some cardio every day. I ride hard on weekends. But stuck at the same weight for a year.

I'm not going to stop riding my bike and working out just so that I can lose weight! So, I keep trying different combinations of calorie input/output. Sooner or later I will get it :)

[tctrek]

By the way, I'd rather be an artichoke then an apple any day!!

[tulip]

Everyone's different, of course, but I found that I lost weight when I upped my intensity--not my mileage, but the intensity that I was riding. I also started doing pretty serious Pilates, which really reshaped my middle (I'm an apple, but now you can't really tell).

[malkin]

I love the TE fruits (and vegetables)!

[deedolce]

Funny, malkin! :)

I'm an apple from a long line of apples...how I wished I had hips. Well, less now at the mid-century mark, because it's more resistance on a windy day, but it ALL goes to my middle. Sigh. I took a intro Pilates class. Now if I can only find the discipline to do it...:rolleyes:

[uforgot]

Okay, I didn't read through this thread, but I have input! (go figure!). I am definitely a pear. In high school I had to weigh under 120 lbs to stay on the dance team. I don't remember eating my entire senior year, but I made EVERY performance by not eating. Weight has been a lifelong struggle. I say it's just as hard for us pears.

[newfsmith]

Thanks, michelem, but I had a complete hysterectomy 20 years ago. I do however have a tendency towards high glucose counts and I take Metformin for it, which is the medication they give most people with PCOS and with mild diabetes.

I actually lost 35 pounds last year- I ate 1200 calories a day and started taking the Metformin. When I got down to a more "normal" weight I started exercising and got my bike. As soon as I started to exercise I stopped losing weight. I've tried upping my calories, working at lower heart rates, you name it. I do resistance/weight training 3 times a week and some cardio every day. I ride hard on weekends. But stuck at the same weight for a year.

I'm not going to stop riding my bike and working out just so that I can lose weight! So, I keep trying different combinations of calorie input/output. Sooner or later I will get it :)

From your description it sounds like you have probably built up muscle mass with your exercise regimen. Muscle weighs more than fat, and is far healthier. Maybe you should compare your measurements with those of a year ago, or have a body fat composition test. I'll bet your muscle building has just been covering up your loss of fat. Soon enough your muscle will stabilize and help you burn fat.

[txred9876]

I have always had a bigger middle section and weight loss is very hard. I started walking last fall every day and could not lose one pound. This spring I found that swimming and biking is bringing it off. I also had to adjust my calorie intake and the type of calories I was taking in. I also had to make sure I drank LOTS of water.

I thought I could not lose weight and have lost 22 pounds in the last 6 weeks. I have also started working out hard at a minimum 1 hour per day 6 times per week. On two of those days I might make it 1.5 to 2 hours for a workout. It seems to be working for me. I also found if I didn't eat enough protein I did not lose either. From what I was told by the nutritionist is that if you do not eat enough protein you will actually break down your muscles instead of the fat. I was also told to make sure to take in between 15-30mg of protien within 30 min of a workout.


So far things are working this time.......

Tina

PS I am also on three medications that say "could cause weight gain" and they have in the past.

[tctrek]

So far things are working this time.......

Tina, thanks for these great ideas!

I just have to find the sweet spot combination of eating/exercise that will start the weight loss again.

Thanks!