Can this be some type of Self Image Disorder?

I'm 5 Ft - 2 In, tall and i weight 105, & im a 22 yr old female. my body fat % is 17. I have a 24inch waist & 34 inch hips.

its seems like all these websites say its normal, but i dont think so.

but when i look in the mirror, or tug on my skin there seems to be so much fat, and flab (esp by my thighs and love handles). i can literally hold a hand full of fat.

will exercise alone get rid of the flab or should i lose weight as well.

from what i can see i should lose about 15 pounds of fat.

what do you think?

I have about an 8% body fat, I have abs, I weigh 155 lbs and I'm a 6'2 male with avergae muscle mass

Than is, I have very low fat.

I dieted a lot, and I still can hold a handful of flab because of the skin and flesh.

The thing is, flab is a fact of life. Make sure you maintain a healthy body fat percent, as females need a little extra fat for their bodies to function properly. 15 pounds seems like a lot to lose for someone so light... flab can be deceiving. I'm always dreading weight gains, only to be reassured that I'm the same weight as time goes on. Perception is a nasty tool, and it can mess with your head. Even I think I need to lose fat. Isn't that distortion of image?
If you're dead set on losing weight, try 5 lbs at first. Don;t fall to unhealthy levels (I have, I'm a recovering anorexic male... I know the horrors of weight obsession). Good luck my friend!

I agree, I think you're normal. However, if you are truly able to grab a hand full of fat, then you should see a doctor. How physically active are you? Do you excercise at all? Sometimes, muscle that hasn't been used will act like that.

Hi,
From what you've written you seem to be in good shape.
Its easy for us to say you need to go on a diet and that this an that but for best advice ask someone you trust what they think are you really that much out of shape or is it in your head?

If you still want to do something about your shape you should take up some form of exercise. It'll take your mind off your problems and it gives you the positive thing that you're doing something about your body rather than just getting worried about the shape you're in.

If you looking for a few more tips and pointers go to
http://www.interviewwithaweightlossexper...

How can you lose 15lb of fat if you only have 18lb of fat on your body?? You would be dead!!

And it's perfectly normal to have that fat on your hips and thighs. You're a woman, this fat is necessary for reproductive purposes. Women need at least 11%-12% body fat just for their body to function properly. 17% body fat on a woman is very lean. The average healthy female has 23%-27% body fat (11%-12% essential fat plus 12%-15% storage fat).