Loose, soft jelly like fat

[crybllrd]

My fiance has been struggling with this problem for as long as she can remember. Her upper half is quite thin (too thin in my opinion) to the extent of being able to count all her ribs. However starting with her butt down, she has a lot of fat. From her bottom half alone, one would think she was very overweight.
Also, the fat is very very soft (she jokingly calls it "jelly legs"). I have never felt fat like that before her, I can't convey how truly odd it is.
Her diet is very good, if a little strange. She is Taiwanese and has lived here in the States with me for a few years now. She doesn't eat ANY dairy products (milk, cheese, butter, mayo, etc.), eats very little meats except for chicken, and she eats lots of noodle soups and veggies.
She doesn't get a lot of proper exercise, but we go to grad school and we walk everywhere on and around campus. I would estimate about an hour a day of walking, five days a week.
She has been trying for years to get rid of her "jelly legs" and I told her I would check here.
My only concern is that she sometimes goes days without eating as she is very self conscious about this.
Any suggestions?
Thank you.

 

[Trek]

First off I'm not a professional so this is just my opinion from things I've read. When you don't eat your body goes into starvation mode, your metabolism slows way down and your body actually breaks down muscle for fuel. This may be why she has very little upper body muscle tone and excess lower body fat. While it might seam counter intuitive, if she started a healthier diet with the proper amount of daily calories and the right combination of protein, carbs & fat she might start to lose the fat in her lower body. Some upper body weight training would be a bonus in my opinion.

A few sessions with a nutritionist may be worth the money. If money is an issue, seek out a nutrition major and ask for some tips.

Good luck!

 

[hippie-chick]

yes, not eating is definitly a contributing factor. you can actually gain weight, not lose it, from that. to get rid of this though there's not much you can do other than running. any cardio will be good for it, but the faster the better.



this is a video from a trainer/nutritionist who has a whole series of videos, and is also dedicated to helping people overcome health obstacles in their lives and help them become the best they can be. good luck!