I'm bulking now, but I have a question about our good buddy Fat. For as long as I've been aware of my body (a couple years :)), I've had "uneven" love handles. I've been pretty low in BF%, but the asymmetry of them always remains. Below are pictures of me before I started bulking and during my current bulk, showing this.

http://retronetworks.com/img/fitness/front.unflex.1.jpghttp://retronetworks.com/img/fitness/front.unflex.2.jpg

I'm wondering if it has something to do with my obliques. I stopped working my obliques a few months ago, but I was always remarkably stronger with my left side (the one that looks more normal) than with my right.

It could also be that I simply have a pretty uneven fat distribution in general... Below is a picture of me flexing my abs, and you can see them much more clearly on my left side than on the right.

http://retronetworks.com/img/fitness/front.flex.jpg

As you can see I also have a pretty nasty chest asymmetry, but I figure that has more to do with muscle imbalance than fat imbalance?

My question is: What is the cause of this? What should I do to fix this? It's very irritating; it makes me look like I'm about to fall over. Any insight would be much appreciated! :)

Thanks everyone,
Rymanes

I see none of these assymeteries or imbalances that you speak of my friend. If, in fact, they are there...there is no need for your meticulous scrutiny. We ALL have physical discrepencies and imperfections.

My right bicep is larger than my left. My left quadricep is always decidedly more ripped than my right during a bodybuilding competition. My right serratus and intercostals are more muscular and shredded than my left. My left calf has much better shape and muscle separation than my right. My left leg is 1/2" shorter than my right (not through genetics, but an accidident years ago). My left lat flares wider than my right.

Do all of these imbalances disturb me? Not in the least. They have not prevented me in attaining my physique goals, or competitive goals.

If all of us were created perfectly, what motivation would we have to seek improvement in our physique and in our personal endeavors? At least for me.... life would be pretty boring :bb:

I don't see enough of anything either and as said by Mastover, nobody is TRULY symmetrical.

What I do think I notice though (and it's always very hard to tell in the photos) is a lit sinal curvature or slightly odd posture. It looks like your left shoulder sits, consistently slightly lower than your right. Any posture or back issues? Again, we all have those variations but you do look a bit slouchy to your left which might cause a slight difference in your obliques.

I'll break out photoshop to show you what I mean. Back in a bit.

OK... really tough to see but it could be just enough that you're not standing perfectly straight and it's accentuating whatever asymmetry you're noticing. It's slightly easier if you overlay a grid.

Wow Hort, good eye. I think you're right. I just took a picture of myself, letting gravity take my arms and I still see a slight imbalance of the shoulders. I suppose my posture is a little off..

Unfortunately, though, I'm not sure if this explains it. If my left shoulder were a little lower than my right, it would create a sort of dip in my left side. But the dip I'm talking about is on my right.

I understand that noone is symmetrical and everyone must ignore some asymmetries, and if this is the case here, then so be it. But is it really? It seems rather pronounced to me. Here is an edited image of what I'm talking about.

http://retronetworks.com/img/fitness/front.unflex.obvious.jpg

Thanks for both of your replies!

Rymanes

But the curve is on your right...

A any rate- nothing to fret over. :gl:

I don't see any love handles.

You look fantastic.:nod:

Now get moving on those obliques! (http://www.sixpacknow.com/obliqueexercises.html):bb:

By the way- what are you standing on in that pic? Or are you 8' tall?

:p

Now get moving on those obliques! (http://www.sixpacknow.com/obliqueexercises.html):bb:

I stopped doing obliques intentionally. I'm after the holy grail of bodybuilding for ectomorphs, the ever-elusive V, and I thought keeping my waist thin by avoiding direct oblique training would help.

By the way- what are you standing on in that pic? Or are you 8' tall?

Nine feet. Eat your oatmeal. ;) It's my computer chair.

I suppose this sort of thing may be only obvious to myself. In any case I think it will be less noticeable once I pack on some more muscle in my upper body. Thanks again everyone.

dude, you have no idea what asymmetry is in love handles...you should see my pics

you're like a statue, comparitively