Nutritionists and Personal Trainers--need help! Will my butt ever get smaller?

[Myra]

Is body shape just something you have to live with? I am definitely a pear, and even though I'm pretty small and at a healthy weight, it annoys me to no end that I am almost 2 sizes bigger in pants than in shirts and dresses. :mad: Is there anything I can do? Foods to avoid? Foods to consume? Exercise? I read a few years ago that women with pear-shaped bodies should avoid stairmasters and bikes, as they tend to build up the bottom. Is this correct? My primary forms of exercise are running and Pilates. Any advice would be much appreciated! :)

[amorey]

I’m not a trainer, but I’ve worked with one! :) I’m an hourglass figure type. My hips and shoulders are about 2 sizes bigger than my waist and ribcage.

I certainly wouldn’t avoid any kind of exercise because you’re afraid to bulk up. Most women won’t build bulk from normal exercising. Have you had your bodyfat levels checked? www.mybodycomp.com isn’t totally accurate, but it is a starting point. If you tend to store fat on your hips, lowering your all-over body fat is the only way to get rid of it. The usual burning fewer calories than you take in would apply in that situation.

It just might be your body type, though. Even when I’m very slim, my hips are still two sizes bigger. I lose weight proportionally. I’ve learned to embrace my curvy body and am looking for a good tailor! ;)

[TracieB]

Unfortunately, you cannot spot train one area of your body to make it tighter or more toned than another part.

ITA agree with everything amorey recommends. I have some 'junk in the trunk' too and I do a LOT of leg/butt exercises with my PT (along with lots of upper body, too). I have found that my bum sits higher and is much tighter. My pants are a tad looser in that area, too.

So, I think overall weight training and cardio is the way to go.

(FWIW, I was a "strength and fitness instructor" in college)