Why do I appear slightly fat in spite of having a 'normal' BMI?

[aficionado]

Ok, so I'm 28 years old and my BMI is 21.6 (Height 5'7" and weight 62.5 kg/137.7 lbs). According to charts, my BMI is in the normal range. But why do I still have a somewhat chubby appearance, especially in my face and neck areas? And how do I get rid of this chubbiness? You can refer to my profile pic.

P. S. I was quite overweight a year ago (around 77kgs/170 lbs), but I managed to shed those extra pounds.

Updates

+1 y

A small clarification, based on the initial answers. Please note, I'm NOT seeking attention here. If you're idea is to to make baseless accusations, kindly refrain from answering. This is not a 'rate me' question, which are found in abundance on this site. I'm just asking a genuine fitness related question.

[Mesonfielde]

Possibly because you have ""excess fat"" (exaggeration) rather than muscle. It is a possibility, anyways. I'm 61.2 kg at 5'7" myself, but I'm really low on muscle. or at least definitely lower than I should be - I would be at least 62 kg if I actually did have the proper minimal muscle build, and I think that extra 3 kg is actually fat. But I still look pretty normal, in my opinion.

Please note that you're not actually chubby at all. I think you're exaggerating and seeing things that aren't even there. Muscles are useful, although I haven't really bothered to gather them yet. I might eventually for the sake of overall health, and because being physically weak is tedious at times.

[aficionado]

Thanks for your detailed response. Yeah, I do suppose its excess fat. I'm not chubby in general, but I seem to have slightly more fat around my tummy and also face/neck regions. If I bend my head downwards, a double chin is visible (although its not too obvious).

[Mesonfielde]

Well technically it just means you might "need more muscle", but it's up to you whether you actually want that or if you are happy with yourself. Currently I'm happy with myself so I never pursued obtaining muscle.

[meatballs21]

BMI is not a perfect science. I had a healthy BMI but I look way better having lost more weight.

Plus, muscle weighs more than fat.

[aficionado]

Thanks for your response. So what, according to your opinion, should I do in order to get rid of my slightly chubby appearance? And looking at my pic, do you feel I actually look fat, or am i overthinking?

[meatballs21]

If you're chubby looking like that, you need to hit the gym and build some muscles. You are probably skinny-fat which means you aren't fat but you don't have any real muscle definition to your body.

[aficionado]

I'm being overworked and underpaid in a crappy job, in a third world country. Hardly any time to work out. I do own some gym equipment though, so I should probably work out a bit when I'm free at home.
Also, I lost those extra pounds mainly by following a healthy diet, rather than workouts or exercises.

And you're absolutely right about me not having much muscle.

[pr3ttybr0wn]

I think your cheeks make u look adorable! But you may not have a lot of lean muscle mass

[aficionado]

Wow, thanks for the compliment! And I agree about the muscle mass issue. Gotta work on it! :)

[StickStickity13]

You probably lack muscle, so fat is a big bulk of your weight

[aficionado]

Does it have something to do with the fact that I was overweight earlier? Also, what should be my next step, considering I hardly have time for working out at the gym (due to my crappy overworked and underpaid job in a third world country)? I do own a few gym equipments and work out a bit at home,, whenever I find some time.

[StickStickity13]

You just have to lift there is no other way. I think also if you where. Overweight earlier you have loose skin.

[Anonymous]

you're not fat or chubby.

bmi calculators are bullshit cuz they don't take muscle mass into account. according to those calculators i'm obese but the reality is i'm very tall and muscular not fat at all.

[aficionado]

Thanks for educating me about the inaccuracies of BMI calculators. I didn't know it was like this.

[Anonymous]

You don't 'appear slightly flat', you're just trying to get attention. Grow up you're 28 years old.
Just work out.

[JustinX9]

i wish i'm fit like you bro

[aficionado]

Hehe, I'm not really fit! :P

[JustinX9]

lol i'm skinnier than you

[Anonymous]

Why am I a size twelve but my BMI is obese?

[Hannah591]

If you're size 12 UK size then you shouldn't be classed as obese and maybe you got your BMI wrong. If you're size 12 US then that's size 16 UK size which would be classed as obese.

[pr3ttybr0wn]

Are you short? If you're 5'1 and wear a size 12 you are probably overweight. You might not have much lean muscle mass either

[Opinion Owner]

I'm 5'6