Today, I want to cover some common mistakes that many men make that make them look fat, even when they’re not. I will discuss different categories such as style, grooming, diet, nutrition, life choices, and some other factors that you may not have realized make you look larger.
- Bright, loud colors or horizontal stripes pop make you look larger than you are.
- Tight waistbands or popping pockets. Any jeans or pants with pockets flaring out or too small will make your booty look larger.
- Underwear that’s too tight. If the waistband is too tight, you’ll look meatier.
- Tight swim trunks are another huge mistake. Men will wear them that are too small in the waist and too big and baggy elsewhere. Their legs look thin, and their upper bodies look soft and doughy.
- Homemade tank tops are bad offenders because when the sleeves are removed, chest fat is exposed, so you won’t look chiseled, even if you’re not fat. Your obliques will also look soft and doughy when you expose them wearing a cut-off tank. Also, they can make your shoulders look narrow. Wear a proper tank top that is a bit tighter in the chest and body.
- Wide and full beards make you look fat because your face will look round. Taper it down to look a bit leaner and more chiseled.
- Removing hair under the chin will make you look like you have a double chin because you can see it, making you look fat. Do not remove the hair under the jaw.
- Fluffy, puffy hairstyles make you look heavier. Tighten the sides, add a bit of lift or volume on top, and ensure the hairstyle gives your face more angularity.
- Crew-neck shirts make your face look rounder by giving a visual illusion of roundness. Go with an open polo that creates a bit of a V-drop. Other options are V-necks or button-up shirts. Just unbutton a few buttons to draw the eye down and make your face look more angular.
- Hoodies will make you look chubby because of how they’re constructed. And if they have a kangaroo pouch in the front, you’ll look heavier from that extra fabric.
- Retaining water in your face and body will make you look heavier. Drink 120 oz of water daily to flush your body and prevent water retention. Add lemon to the water, acting as a natural diuretic to help flush out more.
- Carbohydrate consumption. Reduce carbs to look leaner and retain less water. Eat less starchy and more fibrous carbohydrates, consume more protein, and don’t go out to eat as much. You don’t know what you’re consuming when dining at a restaurant, so know what you’re ordering when going out or prepare meals at home. Uber Eats is also a massive waste of money and terrible for your body. If you dislike cooking, check out Factor, which has delicious and nutritious meals. They are also calorie-smart.
- Bad posture. Slouching and rounding your shoulders while sitting and not standing up straight will make you look doughy and soft. Make sure your chest is up and your shoulders are back while walking. Keep your head up, too.
- Burying your head into your phone will make you look like you have a double chin.
- Not working out your core. Strengthen your core and hold your abs tight and firm when walking.
- Dad bod or skinny fat. Workout to ensure a V-taper. It’s all about dropping and drawing the eye down to achieve an aesthetic, lean, muscular physique. Work the shoulders and back.
- Muffin top. If you’re wearing a shirt that is not tailored and tucking it in, it will come undone and make you look like you have a muffin top. You look like you’re a popped can of biscuits. Look for clothing that’s more tailored.
- Boxy suits. You don’t want a suit that hangs on you. You need good tailoring with a nice shape to help you look taller and more muscular.
- Oversized clothing. You’ll look heavy wearing boxy, baggy, and big clothing. A ton of fabric is not a good look.
- Long rise. You don’t want a ton of extra fabric down in your crotch. You should reach down and grab meat.
- Too tight. Skin-tight clothing also makes you look fat. Under Armor shirts are an example of a skin-tight shirt that does not look good and makes you look fat. Look for clothing with some room in the midsection so you don’t look like a sausage.
- Big and bulky shoes. If you have shoes that lack structure or shape, you will look short and squatty, and your legs will also look shorter.
- Breaking the line. Ensure you have a clean line from your shoulders to your feet. Avoid anything that breaks that line.
- Color blocking. Wearing different colors up top and bottom (high contrast) is not a good look. Monochromatic is a better option because it visually makes you look taller and leaner.
- Bright and light colors. If you’re wearing bold colors, you will look wider. It’s all about the reflection of light: light colors reflect, and dark colors absorb.
- Heavier fabrics. Chunky and heavy fabrics like cardigan sweaters will make you look heavier. Fleece can also make you look big and heavy.
- Boxy and blousy items. Although they may be in style, boxy and blousy clothing makes you look heavier and fatter. The fabric makes you look like you have a midsection when you don’t. Cardigans are an issue because of this. You should be aware of this if you’re trying to maximize your physique.
