I know this can't be my imagination. I've also noticed on a lot of older women, it's not always the waist getting bigger but the hips getting narrower. I'm talking about slim middle aged women with shoulders wider than their hips who didn't have that shape in their youth. I don't think that the culprit is simply losing fat padding on the hips, either.

So, have any of you noticed that your hip bones simply don't stick out as widely as they used to? I can't find anything written on this but I'm positive that I'm right.

Teal:

I really have not been able to see my hip bones for YEARS so I really cannot comment on this subject

Shakin'

Shakin' you crack me up!

Teal: have you had a bone mineral density test recently, or a DEXA scan? What you are experiencing may be due to some osteopenia, or "bone-thinning". It happens in your spine, causing a very slight loss in height. This gives the appearance of a thicker waist and causes a pelvic tilt, which rotates your hips outward. That's why you see bones poking out where there were no bones before.

It could also be caused by weakened muscles and tendons, causing a change in posture, which also causes the hips to rotate outward, creating a "narrower" appearence.

Both conditions can be corrected by physical therapy and exercise. Only your doctor can diagnose your bone thinning, though, and recommend treatment.