Did You Know Getting Lean & Losing Weight Will Actually Make You Look Taller??
Posted on May 1st, 2008 by John Fit under All About "Bulky", Self-ImprovementNew here? Sign up for my fitness tips by Email Click Here to Sign Up! Don't forget to also visit our discount supplements Go Now!

(This is actually 2 separate pics.. The little guy on the right read my blog, decided to slim down & touched up his trend with some new shorts. Now look how tall & trendy he looks as he stands on the left!!
.. I don’t know if this is a Biker/Male Dominatrix Rally or what’s going on here, but I gotta get tickets to the event..)
This concept of looking taller from weight loss & toning is not a miracle, but only an illusion.. But, it is an illusion that plays to your advantage if getting lean and losing weight is on your agenda.. I hear many people complaining about their height & wishing God would’ve granted them JUST 2 MORE INCHES.. By the way, what do you think about shorter girls that walk around in those crazy “clunker” clod-hopping shoes with platform heels? I would rather see them in a regular, normal-heeled shoe, in good beach shape, with a big smile on her face, feeling great about herself, & smelling like flowers.. The 5-inch heel should stay in the closet.. But, that’s just me.. Anyway, by getting in shape, dropping pounds, and tightening up your body, you will appear taller.. Here’s why..
Posture Plays A Huge Role in Your Appearence & Shape..
Your back is the predominant support system for your frame.. If you’re not lean, toned with low body fat levels, you’re probably, naturally, slouching and that’s not doing your height any favors.. If you’re carrying too much muscle or fat in your chest and shoulders, your back is probably slouching from the stress of supporting that mass.. Look at a models posture.. The shoulders are back, chest is exposed outward, and neck is straight with the chin slightly up.. Too much muscle in your chest & shoulders creates imbalance with your back muscles, and that “frontal heaviness” creates a slouch due to lack of back support (This the same principle behind women having breast reductions to reduce pain in their back).. Practice pinching your shoulders blades behind you, popping your chest out, and keeping your chin up.. This will not only improve the length of your upper torso/back, but will also save you from future back & neck pain. Improving your posture is Rule #1 in the modeling industry, & can prop your height up a few notches..

(Tyra Bank’s Body Is A Good Example of What I’m Going to Explain Below.. Notice How When She Gained Weight, Her Arms, Torso, & Legs Took on More of A Short Pudgy Look, and almost seems to have shortened in length compared to the Long, Sleek Look in Her Cover-Girl Days.. Tyra is 5′10″, But In The Pic on the Left, She Would Appear Taller in Real Life Because of the long & toned Length to Her Slender Body.. This Principle Applies to Both Women AND Men.. The Old Tyra’s a Little More “Aesthetically Pleasing”)
Long, Toned & “Lanky-Like” Limbs Are What You Want..
Not only do bulky bodybuilders look cheesy, but they also look short.. Overweight bodies also appear shorter because they have a ”dumpy”, slumping look from excess bodyfat.. When someone looks at you, their eyes aren’t set on your head at first.. Their mind takes a picture of your whole shape starting with your midsection & working up.. If you have a round “egg” shape (Bodybuilders have a rounded egg-shaped silhouette too.. Not just obese figures) with lots of width to your body, then your height can’t compete with your width in an elusive manner.. You are then seen as more wide, then tall.. With a lean tight body, your torso looks longer, your arms look toned, loose & relaxed, and your frame is much more free flowing, & easier on the eyes as you appear longer & slimmer showing off a taller frame.. (This is why a lot of heavy set people wear shirts with vertical stripes, as opposed to horizontal stripes.. The Vertical Stripes elude your eyes from fixing on the round belly & trick you into thinking their body runs more vertical, like the stripes, than the horizontal shape their belly has created..) Long & limber is model sexy for both guys and girls.. The goal is to be as LONG as possible, not WIDE &/or Muscle-Bound.. Lean muscle with low body fat promotes length, but high body fat, or over-muscled bodies promote width.
Body Parts to Keep Lean & Thin for Maximizing Height & Length to Your Body..
Have you ever seen a 6’ tall female supermodel or volleyball player?? They look to be at least 6’2” as they approach you (without shoes on).. This is because they have long limbs and a thin, slender frame that creates the illusion of added height.. A few body parts to slim down & keep bulk off for an elongated appearance are; shoulders, definitely arms, legs, & waist.. With thick arms, they look short and stumpy, and the same applies to the legs.. The waist, or abdominal area, will not have a long and lean appearance if its carrying body fat or full of bulky ab/oblique muscles.. If you have oversized shoulders, not only do you like you’re dressed in shoulder pads, but you add unnecessary width to your frame.. Keep these specific areas toned & lean by shooting for more of a “lean & long” appearance.. A lot of guys are into “Gigantic” arms & “Selling Tickets to the Gun Show”.. This is fine, if you want to look shorter, & stiff.. Stay toned, lanky, and “slinky sexy” (Interesting Analogy huh..) for a long, loose appearance.. Being shaped like a truck or box, actually creates the illusion you’re shorter than you really are..
Taller individuals receive up to $6,000 more dollars a year than shorter ones.. Wild huh.. Elongate the appearance of your frame and muscles by slimming down and laying off the bulking cycles.. This should add length to your appearance..
John Fit! (Not Bulking or adding body fat, but staying lean, tight, & toned..)



May 2nd, 2008 at 6:51 am
Hey John. What about us guys who dont have the body type to be long lean? No matter what I do and how much cardio I do, theres no way for me to be long and lean. Its just not in my body composition.
May 2nd, 2008 at 10:13 am
Ryan,
I think “long” is all relative.. The average wingspan, or arm length, is not as long as an NBA shooting guards, but that doesn’t mean shorter lengths can’t be considered long.. Long & lean is all relative.. Anyone can take their genetics and appear longer with lower body fat & toning workouts.. No matter what you genetic body type is, you can become relatively longer.. Anyone can lose weight and lower there body fat with cardio and healthy diet.. Again, don’t hold your “long” standard to people with really long arms and torso.. I”ve seen guys with alligator looking arms and big stumpy bellies lose weight and tone up, and their body becomes more linear and longer.. I would stay away from bulking diets and workout routines, and focus on stretching, eating clean, and working out aerobically to lower body fat.. This will lengthen your appearence and take alot of the “stumpyness” out shape.. Thanks so much for the feedback! Let me know if you have any further questions..
John Fit..
June 12th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
hey john. i was wondering i keep on having an on/off relationship when it comes to working out and trying to get lean, naturally my body is quite muscular shaped and my body fat is kinda high, i was wondering what type of athletic sport or training you would advice on getting lean and getting the model look.
i’m trying out to be a male model so i kind of set myself a deadline limit of about 4 months to get in shape. then hopefully with my desired look i can take some body shots and face shoots.
so what would your advice be???
June 16th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Zues,
Glad to hear you’re trying to cut body fat to create that model look because that is where the “look” is at.. Low body fat with tight, dense muscle.. Since you already have the muscle, I would focus on performing cardio such as running, biking, or swimming for at least 30-45 minutes 5 days a week to fire up your metabolism.. Anything that involves running is going to be great for burning fat.. Also, keep your food intake very clean.. You want to keep saturated fat, sugar, & sodium out of your diet to keep metabolism high and fat off your body for good.. The most important discipline to get in the habit of perfecting is your diet.. Keep it clean.. Also, cruise around my site and read over my other articles as this entire site is formulated to keep lean muscle on your body, and burn body fat.. Good luck with your progress, and stay in touch with me!
John Fit..