Frustrated with waistline

[systematic83]

I've been working out and eating carefully for the last three years. I've managed to lose alot of fat and gain some muscle. I'm pear shaped with somewhat narrow shoulders/bust(34 inches). My hips are 38. The problem I have is that regardless of how flat my stomach is , my waist never gets below 27 inches. I find this painfully frustrating to the point of tears as I can't understand it. I would describe my body type as being an endo with a little ecto. I've tried building up my back to no avail as I find it incredibly hard to put on muscle in my upper body, though I have defined arms. Ideally I'd like my waist to be 22-24 inches. Is there any way that I can narrow my waist?

[Megin]

I've been working out and eating carefully for the last three years. I've managed to lose alot of fat and gain some muscle.

First off: Congrats! That is fantastic!

my waist never gets below 27 inches. I find this painfully frustrating to the point of tears

This is what concerns me a little. 27 inces is NOT that big.. and certainly not huge enough to cause such frustration (although, I do understand what you are thinking. You work so hard, eat right, and have had patience) But, are you sure getting below a 24 inch waist will magically cure all doubt about your body and you will be happy?

Just asking...

Ideally I'd like my waist to be 22-24 inches. Is there any way that I can narrow my waist?

Alright - whats your diet look like? If you could list this out in the form of:

Meal 1 -
Meal 2 -
Meal 3 -
etc..

That would be a great start to see whats going on!

[terracotta]

hmm.. I agree with Megin.. I have a 34 bust, 38 hips, and the smallest my waist has ever been is 27.5. I certainly hope you are NOT comparing yourself to figure competitors - the reason they are successful, is they have the hourglass bodytype. MOST people do NOT have waists that tiny. Also note, that the figure competitors also typically are 36-24-36, that is, they have much smaller hips.. just smaller overall.

[systematic83]

The thing is I have practically no boobs( a large A cup on a good day), so on my frame my waist is prominent. I don't have any rigid diet that I follow, but my stomach is somewhat defined so I don't think fat is the problem. I eat mostly complex carbs and lean proteins. A typical day for me would be:

breakfast- grilled bacon and boiled eggs with a bowl of muesli

lunch- chicken sandwich with malted bread

dinner-pasta and salad

In between meals I usually have some fruit.

Ideally I'd like proportions close to Melyssa Ford who is 36 22 36

[terracotta]

Well the thing is, if as you say, you are ectomorphic, you will have ribs in the way of getting a waist that tiny. I have a small A cup breast, am ectomorphic and have a large waist.. I am happy with my body.. you have to compare yourself to YOU and YOU alone.

[crazycat]

WOW, i would LOVE to have that waist size. (Currently working on it! )

Terracotta is right, don't compare yourself to fitness models/competitors. If you do that you will constantly be upset about it. Work with what you have and be proud of it! Keep working out and eating good natural foods.

[imperfectly_lou]

Minimum waist size is usually due to your body shape and bone structure. There are some women who even at 9-10% BF still have 27inch waists (which is NOT big by any means) due to the placement of their ribs etc.

A 22inch waist on a fully grown woman would just look WRONG IMO.