That hard stuff could be fat: Mistress Krista wrote me back!

[MS]

Hmmm, well I have always had 'hard fat', and I eat very little saturated fat. But since I have a high carb (low fat) diet, it may be that I am indeed manufacturing a lot of my own saturated fats. However I have known OOOOODLES of women who eat a typical western diet (high in sat fats and very low in polys) who all have soft fat, so I dunno if there's any correlation. All I know is it's nearly impossible to get a skinfold reading on hard thigh fat, but you can easily tell by looking in the mirror that there's a lot of fat there since you can't see much muscle definition. As the woman said though, it is almost impossible to have "too much" muscle on a natty female, and muscle is soooo easy to lose anyway that it is not something that any female should be worrying about!!

 

[JJFigure]

I tried to do get skinfold readings on my Mom, and you're right, MS, it was impossible to get a thigh reading.

I used to be a high carb eater, and I have the damn soft fat - I researched this at one point, and if I remember right, it's all genetic.

 

[Cheetarah]

I tried to do get skinfold readings on my Mom, and you're right, MS, it was impossible to get a thigh reading.

I used to be a high carb eater, and I have the damn soft fat - I researched this at one point, and if I remember right, it's all genetic.

Yeah, but perhaps the softer fat is easier to lose? Cause I know personally, even to hold 15% bodyfat, I have to be hungry constantly! And I'm talking a strict, clean diet! I gain WAY easier than I lose. I can gain muscle EASIER than I can lose fat. Anyway, just thinking out loud here.

Oh, yeah, and getting skinfolds on any part of my legs is almost impossible (it is impossible on my calves) and very painful for me too! I've always been amazed at how other women can just pull or pinch their fat, I can't do that at all, anywhere yet it's not like I'm all defined. JJFigure you are WAY more defined than me!

 

[Daisy_Girl]

Can you have soft AND hard fat?

My legs and calves have HARD fat - they are SOLID, even though I know they are fat, everyone else thinks they aren't. You guys are so right about getting an accurate skinfold reading on hard-fat legs. I've found either the person can't pinch any, or they grab a hunk o' muscle. OUCH. I've been bruised on my thigh before after a bodyfat reading episode. But my upper body and abs, grab all you want there....theere is plenty to go round and it is easily grabbable.

 

[VeggieLifterChick]

Can you have soft AND hard fat?

My legs and calves have HARD fat - they are SOLID, even though I know they are fat, everyone else thinks they aren't. You guys are so right about getting an accurate skinfold reading on hard-fat legs. I've found either the person can't pinch any, or they grab a hunk o' muscle. OUCH. I've been bruised on my thigh before after a bodyfat reading episode. But my upper body and abs, grab all you want there....theere is plenty to go round and it is easily grabbable.

same experience: hard legs, mushy abs/butt

 

[sermon_of_crockery]

Lets hear it for them PIGS!!!!! See folks, it all comes back to farming.... Have I ever mentioned corn??? LOL

And just so you all don't think I'm biased, steamed soy beans in the pod are very tastey - especailly with a splash of salt!

On a side note, guys often have big bellies that are very hard (I would know anyone personally hehehe) The whole side of my dads family is like this. You can barly pich an inch, and if you cruch your abs, they will get hard as a rock. But they can look more pregnate than most women if they stick it out.

Edamame is awesome!!! Too bad restaurants over here charge for it.

As far as the discussion, it's all becoming clear. I have the samne phenomenon. I could jusr barely see my abs and I had a caliper test done at my local gym. The results came back somethign ridiculous like 8 or 6 %. The lady who took the test even tried to tell me that it was unhealthy and I need to eat more donuts!

She is full of shit on other issues so I didn't take that comment at face value. Now I know what the real situation is.

Thanks.

 

[wateengedoe2]

Can you have soft AND hard fat?

My legs and calves have HARD fat - they are SOLID, even though I know they are fat, everyone else thinks they aren't. You guys are so right about getting an accurate skinfold reading on hard-fat legs. I've found either the person can't pinch any, or they grab a hunk o' muscle. OUCH. I've been bruised on my thigh before after a bodyfat reading episode. But my upper body and abs, grab all you want there....theere is plenty to go round and it is easily grabbable.

Exactly the same here! Except for on the inside of my thighs, high up, I can't grab any of the fat on my upper legs w/o pain. On my calves I can though. And also on my upper body.