How to not look fat - Page 3

Hmm... Immersion test huh? I may have to try that. I've always wanted to know my body fat percentage. I did 3 different methods; one said I was 6.5%, another was 7% and the last said 8%. Although that 8% one was done a year earlier when I had a MUCH different lifestyle, and it wasn't actual measurements. My roommate claims he's fairly accurate with the pinch test using his hands (no calipers).

So next physical just asked for the immersion test?

I do the grunt work my wife makes it look nice

Both could be needed. After the weight loss new clothes or tailoring will be needed.

If all else fails, there's always photoshopping.

I wanna see your pics, because even at 8% you'd be amazingly ripped..

I'm going to go out on a limb here and offer some suggestions because I'm probably similarly proportioned to the original poster, even though I'm shorter and weigh less. I'm 5'9" and 165 and BMI says I'm barely in the overweight category. Although numbers are numbers and I don't look overweight but I do have some love handles and a small gut....something I'm working on getting rid of, but its a process so doesn't just go away overnight. But in the meantime I still have to wear clothes that look good on me right!?!

I find it really hard to find shirts that don't draw attention to my gut. What I've found is that fit, material, and color, are the keys in taking the focus off the midsection and make your silhouette more look better. Start looking for clothing that is marketed as slim fit. You want your clothes to hug your body because looseness will grab at your fat and draw attention to it. Slim clothing brings everything together and makes you look more proportional. Button up shirts are the best for hiding the gut. You will want to get the types that are stiff feeling and thicker material. The weight of the fabric combined with the stiffness controls the draping over your body so that it connects your body in straight lines instead of hugging your every curve. For example a stiff shirt can make a contour straight from your chest to your stomach without actually touching the space in the midsection, making it appear that your gut is smaller than it really is. Its hard to explain bout try some stuff on and you can see what I'm talking about.

Color is another important aspect in making your body more flattering while you are working on losing the weight. I tend to wear alot of blacks or whites. The light being completely absorbed (black) makes your unwanted features less prominent. Likewise, the light being completely reflected (white) also makes your unwanted features less prominent since the yes wont be able to focus on it as well. I've found that vertical stripes of white and another somewhat bright color like dark blue will achieve a similar effect. Patterns that soften the contours will help as well. Checkered patterns, etc., trick the eyes and cause them to not be able to focus as well on certain features.

Since its cold outside, I also find myself wearing sweaters. Wear fitted sweaters. Now, your undesirable features WILL be more pronounced in sweaters but black sweaters that are of thick material will help you look better by a long shot. Additionally I find vertical ribbing helpful as well.

Nothing more flattering then having cute girls compliment you on losing weight when all you've done is change the way you dress. Hopefully you will find some of what I've said useful. Good luck in fitting your clothes better and in losing weight!

^ No. The OP is overweight. If you have love-handles, a bit of a gut, and your BMI is inching into the overweight category then you are overweight and unless you are invisible, you probably look overweight. Own up to it. I am about the same height and 20 pounds lighter and while I don't breach the overweight line, I am definitely out of shape and it is apparent. There are ways to avoid looking even fatter than you actually are but there isn't much you can do to fool people into thinking you are actually skinny when you are not (people have eyes and even if you find clever ways of concealing your belly, your fat face is still going to give you away). Simply picking up a few shirts marketed as "slim fit" isn't going to fool anyone; wearing heavily tapered shirts that hug your belly fat is only going to draw attention to the fact that your body isn't designed to handle "slim fit" shirts. "Close-fitting clothes reveal more than they conceal..." etc. Dress to fit your body. Slim-fit shirts are designed for men who are in-shape--that is, men who have broad shoulders but slim waists. If your body is more generously cut, then your shirt should be too. Also, vertical ribbing around your midsection is a major no-no--ask any fat girl how many sweaters she owns like this. The goal is to draw attention away from your midsection, not make it the focal point. Dark colors are a good idea, though. It's hard to see fat rolls in the dark. What kind of clothing do you wear? A well-cut coat and trouser can do a lot to hide a fat middle. Bottom-line: Either loose weight or embrace your fatness instead of trying to find tricks that can hide it.

That should really be advice to all overweight north Americans nothing more pathetic than some fat guy claiming he is in shape because his Bmi is 1 point below the overweight category

I do the grunt work and make it look nice.

My wife takes the glory.

lefty

No. Unless you're on a fishing boat in the North Sea, bulky sweaters are unacceptable.

I need clarification here. What do you mean when you say "the waist on them is the same as the shoulder"? And while we're on the subject, please give us your waist measurement and your chest measurement. I think that will be more helpful than your height and weight.

Now we're getting somewhere. What size is it?

Sharing your measurements might preclude the need for a photo. However, you could always post one with your face cropped out.

Don't we all.