Genetically Inherited Underarm Flubber --> Oh No!

[Nightporter]

Hey!

I am unsure where this would go--So I figured I would just post this in the main Atkins forum.

If you feel this topic should be moved to another section, please feel free to do so! And my apologies for posting it in the wrong section.

Anyway... On with the show!

Something that has been running through my Mom's side of the family is what has been dubbed the "Steph Arms" ... It's when the women have a more-than-usual amount of fat on their upper arms and it hangs down over the back of the elbow. My mother went on the Atkins diet for a while and lost a signifigant amount of weight (50 lbs)... But the 'Steph Arms' did not budge. She tells me now that I will always have them even if I lose all my weight and more... Now I am terrified.

Curious--Does anyone else on here have this genetic curse? Or does anyone just have it anyway? And also-- Are there any types of excersizes that can get rid of it? Surgery/Liposuction really isn't an option for me... But I want to do everything in my power anyway to make my "Steph Arms" a ghost of family past! And I am pretty sure my mother would sculpt a life-size statue for the person who could give her some helpful tricks. So far, she's tried everything she can think of... But is there any Ancient Atkins Secret we should know about?

Thanks for reading... Apologies for the length, and any and all help is appreciated!

-N-

[julirama723]

I also am genetically predisposed to having bat wings. My arms have gotten smaller and more shapely because of strength training--it's the way to go!

[floydgirl]

Same here! I have lost 60 lbs., and a lot of inches. My arms have only lost about 1/2 total! Even when I was thin, I always had big arms. I agree with Julirama, weight lifting helps with this area. I keep plugging away!

[Nightporter]

Thanks for the tips! You are amazing...

I just have one question which may sound a bit ignorant... OK a lot ignorant- I don't know this excersize lingo!

What is strength training? Would that be weights and stuff? What about a rowing machine?

BTW From your skinny picture--Your arms look great!

[Nightporter]

FloydGirl - Thanks for the tips! I will try and get some weights in soon!

-N-

[ValidRouge]

My arms are shaping up nicely...all due to strength training. You can't spot reduce any part of your body, but you can tone your muscles.

If you don't have any muscle strength, everything just looks flabby and droopy...but if you build up muscle and it's tight and strong...well, then the skin around those muscles will be taught too. There may be extra skin that may take longer to "snap back".

For the backs of the arms, do exercises for the triceps. You also want to do the front of the arms too...the biceps. Check out www.shapefit.com for exercises.

Weight train your ENTIRE body for fabulous results. The more muscle you build, the more it burns even when you are resting. Muscle is a metabollically active tissue, whereas fat is just that...a big fat blob that does NOTHING.

[julirama723]

Nightporter--
That's why I have a small picture, so my arms look good! Really, they're still big, but I've lost a few inches off my arms, which is AMAZING!

Strength training is lifting weights, yes. I used to use the machines, until I figured out that it wasn't really doing much for me. I like lifting weights because I also have to use my core muscles to stabilize and balance myself, so it's like 2x the workout. Even if you do the simpler exercises to start out, like tricep extensions, bicep curls, hammer curls, you'll notice a difference.

[Nightporter]

Ok... Thanks for clearing that all up!

I think I will go out and buy some weights today at Target... Why do it tomorrow when I can do it today?! Just hearing that there is hope yet gets me excited!

Thank you all so much!

-N-

[sadie147]

All the women in my family have big stomachs...no flat abs in my family tree It's teh first place I gain, and the last place I lose, and even at my thinnest I will never have a truly flat stomach. I could do a billion situps a day. nope.

I've learned to accept it and learn to love other things that I don't have issues with.

[CoachW44]

just remember to be mindful of the types of excercises you do and how your muscle responds to the types of movements you are doing. I know some overweight guys who do a lot of sit ups and all it did was push their stomachs out further because the abdominal mass was expanding as it's response.

Also, I have very large arms...and I like it =)