okay, first off, taking photos for plastic surgery consult is... hard... emotionally. Just when you are feeling kinda cute looking, seeing yourself photographed nekkid...yikes!!!

Anyway, I have had several people comment on my shoulders. My sister noticed how shapely my shoulders and upper arms are in a close fitting shirt. A man I know mentioned that I have "Swimmers arms". I didn't pay much attention to this until I saw my nekkid pics and i am wondering.... what is going on here?

My main workouts are spinning (cycling), kickboxing, walking, horseback riding etc. I do Julian Michaels ripped in 30 days but only a few times a week - max 24 minute workout that is a mix of cardio, abs and strength. I don't currently lift weights, my strength training is the push ups and stuff from the DVD plus a little work around my mini farm.

So, how the heck did I get what looks to me like way over developed deltoids? Now, this picture is weird because of the position. When my arm is relaxed it doesn't look that crazy, but, still. does any body have any ideas?

Oh yeah, and that extra skin is what happens when you get to be 150# overweight... actually I weigh about 170# less then my all time highest weight which I was at back in 2005. The thighs and tummy are even more frightening.

This is in a more natural postion so a little harder to see, but compared to other women... a developed upper arm. At this angle, it does not look odd to me, but with the arm raised it does.

I was at a friends house today and asked her to compare and her arms are not defined even though she works out. Mine are covered in loose skin so hard to see when relaxed, but in my mind it is out of proportion.

Or, i am actually out of my mind and i would not rule that option out.

To me it looks like you have nice definition in that area, especially in the first pic. The first thing I thought when I saw the first picture was that the length between your shoulder and your elbow looks short and maybe that's why that area is more defined??? Do you have short arms? I certainly hope this isn't coming across the wrong way! I'm not trying to be rude at all. For all the weight that you have lost I don't think the loose skin looks bad!

My guess would be all those little chores you're doing around your mini farm Do you keep horses on-site? And if so, do you pitch hay for them? That's one example. Shovel? Hoe? All of that will work out your shoulders and upper arms quite a bit, and you end up with a fair amount of strength training doing that sort of stuff.

It looks like just a long muscle head in the delts, and you've been putting in some work that has hit your delts pretty hard. Everyones muscle definition and "size" is different, that's why genetics plays such a huge role in physique competitions (bikini/bodybuilding). My delts are long, and my biceps are shorter, they come up more so than across my arm.

If you're honestly worried or don't like it, you can always work on your biceps to bring them up, and forearms (when hitting forearms it'll work your flexors and brachioradialis muscles around your elbow, as well as triceps to complete the arms overall appearance. I've always had big forearms, but have recently been playing with targeting them more often, I've got some results and ideas if you need them for some light weight exercises to target your arms. Pushups and anything where you're lifting anything in front of you will work your delts, could be a multitude of things.

Oh not insulted at all..lol.. I don't think I have short arms but the pic makes them look that way doesn't it!

I do clean stalls daily but lotsa cowgirls do that without building muscle..lol.

Mark, I am not sure I follow the terminology but the crazy thing is I don't do much upper body work at all. I make lame attempts at pushups...I can finally do some from my toes...and planks but not much time per week. Must be genetics.. My son is built like a linebacker...lol

I guess when I posted this I was feeling emotional about the photos for the plastics and I turned what was a compliment from my sis (shapely shoulders ) into feeling a little freakish.

I am basically an optimist so decided that I am looking forward to seeing my muscles once the skin is reduced. . my calves are shapely and defined and i hope my thighs will look that way too..right now hidden by the skin!

Thanks everyone!

I'm impressed by them, whatever you're doing, you're doing a damn good job. I think women who have shoulders like that are sexy, for what it's worth.

Could be part environmental (those physical things that you are doing), and genetics. Anyone else in your family on either side have the same thing with their delts?

Is it just one arm, or both? Maybe you need to switch it sometimes. Sorry, that probably is more of a joke for a guy........but I couldn't help myself. Seriously, I wouldn't worry too much about it, it's actually fairly impressive.

Shrugs that was totality inappropriate; besides I am ambidextrious.

Mark, thanks for the compliment. I don't mean to sound racist because I am not but I live in an area with many Asians and I often find myself feeling HUGE compared to these tiny women. It is a good reminder that I am right sized for my genetics and I like being strong and fit. I hope after my plastics that the toned abs, thighs etc show up better too...right now hiding behind loose skin. I don't lift weights but I do work out and deserve to feel toned! Thank you...made my day.

CowgirlJane,

There is nothing wrong with those pics... You arm looks strong and defined to me!

Plastics is a whole different journey and it will play with your head! But rest assured your arms are looking in great shape!