I'm underweight but my stomach looks big?

Serah87

OP glad to hear you are listening to the folks on here, keep up the eating and lifting!!!

eatmindfully

I think it's postural as has been mentioned. In our society we tend to push our hips forward. Tuck your hips in and pull your shoulders back for proper posture. Also your butt should stick out a little. So some yoga! You are also underweight so if you want to add muscle you will need to boost your calories.

shayetee

hi there , i don't think you look underweight but you have a very very flat stomach ! you have nohing to worry about. but if you want to gain weight eat protien foods

TossaBeanBag

There's nothing wrong with your stomach.

MyChocolateDiet

sarawr66 wrote: »

Just thought I'd let everyone know I now weight around 118-120 lbs (its been fluctuating a bit) I've been doing lots of weights and I've started drinking protein shakes and I've been doing my damn best to eat more calories. Still only eating around 2100 but some days its more. In any case I HAVE gained weight. But I think I've also gained a bit of fat as well so I'm hoping that with more time and weight training that will tone up as well.

Thanks for the update. I was hoping that once you started the weight training you might find it easier to eat more overall cals? Remember that adequate protein intake helps that added weight lean more toward the muscle side than fat. Also adding fats helps you get more cals so make sure you have a balance.

WatchJoshLift

TrainerLB wrote: »

Hey sweet pea, ignore the idiot haters on here. First off, your body is beautiful and don't let anyone else tell you otherwise. Secondly, if you'd like to change the shape of any body part you need to develop some muscle mass. I recommend increasing your weight training to 3-4xs per week for a beginner and don't be afraid to lift a little heavier. It won't make you get "bulky" but help tone up a trouble spot. Putting weight on your abdominal exercises will really make a difference too. Heavy "russian twists" can really help change the shape of your tummy. Google "weighted abdominal exercises" and see what you think.

Hope that helps.

Advice like this is why we can't have anything nice! 'Merica.

nicsflyingcircus

JoRocka wrote: »

sarawr66 wrote: »

JoRocka wrote: »

Tilandra wrote: »

I lost forty pounds over the course of a year, but didn't really realize it because I don't keep a scale in the house.
........
Western medicine sucks, but as we get older there are things even diet and exercise can't fix. See a doctor, consult them on your exercise plans, and get tests done to make sure there isn't another cause.

wait- you lost somewhere between 4 and 6 dress sizes and didn't notice you're clothes weren't falling off???

And yeah- the horrors of western medicine- chemo for cancers- and vaccines for polo and tetanus and what not- flue shots- really tragic stuff. Western medicine is the devil.

Everyone's entitled to their own opinion on western medicine. Some people prefer a more natural route.

yes- you're right- but let's not just assume it's all bad when it saves peoples lives. I can understand wanting to chose other paths- but the reality is western medicine can and will continue to improve our health.

Instead of dying of a simple broken arm- we can save the arm- AND live a full life. It's willfully ignorant to just dismiss it as the deeebbbbiiiillllll

^This. Seven years ago, I broke my tibia/fibula in such a fashion and severity that even -with- modern medicine, 30% of cases like mine result in amputation of the limb. Even 20 or 30 years ago, -if- I'd kept my foot/lower leg, I would have been hospitalized for literally a half year or more with my leg in traction, since even with my surgically implanted titanium nail (which runs the entire length of my tibia and is fixed in place with the equivalent of titanium deck screws) it took over a YEAR for the my tibia to heal to the point where it could have begun to bear weight.

Instead, I was in surgery the morning after, home from the hopital five days after that (I won't lie, it *kitten* sucked), partially weight bearing (on the boot) within 3 weeks of the accident, fully weight bearing (on the boot) at four weeks post-op. I got the boot off on my birthday, after 8 weeks total. I never put it back on, though I had that option. Then I spent 6 weeks in thrice weekly physical therapy, and the better part of the rest of the year adapting and healing the rest of the way (regowing pulverized bone kinda stings).



Sorry for the thread hijacking, but my point is this:

All things considered, I much prefer modern Western medicine to the alternative.

JoRocka

NIOCE!!!!

congrats on the recovery- that's a hell of a surgery!!!

quick edit- that horizontal suture reminds me of the episode of Criminal Minds where the guy was trying to graft a leg to someone else's leg. <shiver> creepy LOL

pkw58

bellesouth18 wrote: »

Some ballet classes or barre work, yoga, and/or Pilates will help your posture greatly. These programs will also strengthen your core muscles which are contributing to the poor posture.

Second this! You Tube has many great free videos - my fav are Barre3. don't forget to strengthen your back as well. It is amazing how improving posture all day long contributes to 1) feeling great and 2) looking better!

MoochieRama

2 tablespoons grinded of papaya seeds & drink

Ellenr07

I have the same problem of a sticky out tummy, although I wouldn't even consider yours to be sticking out! I've found that doing various exercises that strengthen my core has improved both my posture and shape and while I haven't really changed my weight or measurements the difference is noticeable.

randomtai

MoochieRama wrote: »

2 tablespoons grinded of papaya seeds & drink

:huh:

MSeel1984

I have this exact problem because my lower back is really in sad shape and I have a "sway back" or really bad concave shape in my lower back where my stomach pooches out. It's not that the stomach is big it's that it is sticking out because your lower back is so curved. I work daily on trying to remind myself to work on posture. I'm also working on core and lower back strengthening so that I don't have such horrible slouching tendencies. I've always had lousy posture.

JoRocka

MoochieRama wrote: »

2 tablespoons grinded of papaya seeds & drink

buut.... but

why?

nicsflyingcircus

JoRocka wrote: »

NIOCE!!!!

congrats on the recovery- that's a hell of a surgery!!!

quick edit- that horizontal suture reminds me of the episode of Criminal Minds where the guy was trying to graft a leg to someone else's leg. <shiver> creepy LOL

I remeber that episode!

Thanks for the congrats. The horizontal wound was where my leg popped open like an overripe melon. The knee-cap incision(where the put the tibial nail in), the two on my ankle (2 screws) and the one up near the bend of my knee(two screws) were surgical.

I refer to it semi-jokingly as my bionic leg, the scarring is awesome and I set off metal detectors.

JoRocka

not going to lie....

ew- so gross.

but yay on badass scars and setting off metal detectors.
my dad likes to do that- with his titanium plate in his face.

Saxonvoter

First of all, good to know you're doing better! Lifting is the way to go, muscle can make anyone looks bit firmer. But I don't think you even have "a big stomach" in that picture, it just looks like you're slim and you have internal organs... Haha, jk. I really don't think you have anything to worry about.

Anyway, if you feel like you feel too full and can't squeeze in the needed calories, try cooking some foods in a way that adds some extra calories from fat/choosing the normal fat option instead of the low fat! According to latest research, fat isn't all that dangerous, and most foods are "low-fat", which isn't really healthy in the long run either. It can add some extra calories, yet you won't feel that much fuller than if you add a meal or more food.

dallasdebbie

yes I agree weight training build muscle .

holly55555

Hey! We're the same size - 5'8, and my weight fluctuates between 125-140 lbs. I don't think you have image issues, I understand exactly what you are talking about. Your stomach is too soft to hold itself flat.

I have been as thin as 105 lbs and I still had the same issue you have now. The problem is that to get a "tucked in" stomach, you need to have strong ab muscles. You are currently what they call "skinny fat". You don't have enough muscle and you can't diet your way into it. You have to work out!

I am currently 139 lbs but for the first time in my life, I have abs. I never did before, even at my lowest weight. I achieved this by working out 3-5 days a week with a trainer and lifting heavy.

At this point, you want to actually put on weight. MUSCLE weight, not fat, of course. Work out your entire body, especially legs and core. Your legs are such large muscles that building them up takes a lot of calories to maintain. It pretty much sucks extra fat off your stomach - once you build up some abs to show! Stop focusing so much on the number, as that won't get you to where you want to be. Focus on body fat percentage instead of the scale.

A perfect example is my cousin, who is a body builder. She is 5'4, 145 lbs, and her stomach is TINY, rock hard, and tucked in. You would never expect that just by looking at the numbers. Keep that in mind!

Good luck!

Aviva92

holly55555 wrote: »

Hey! We're the same size - 5'8, and my weight fluctuates between 125-140 lbs. I don't think you have image issues, I understand exactly what you are talking about. Your stomach is too soft to hold itself flat.

I have been as thin as 105 lbs and I still had the same issue you have now. The problem is that to get a "tucked in" stomach, you need to have strong ab muscles. You are currently what they call "skinny fat". You don't have enough muscle and you can't diet your way into it. You have to work out!

I am currently 139 lbs but for the first time in my life, I have abs. I never did before, even at my lowest weight. I achieved this by working out 3-5 days a week with a trainer and lifting heavy.

At this point, you want to actually put on weight. MUSCLE weight, not fat, of course. Work out your entire body, especially legs and core. Your legs are such large muscles that building them up takes a lot of calories to maintain. It pretty much sucks extra fat off your stomach - once you build up some abs to show! Stop focusing so much on the number, as that won't get you to where you want to be. Focus on body fat percentage instead of the scale.

A perfect example is my cousin, who is a body builder. She is 5'4, 145 lbs, and her stomach is TINY, rock hard, and tucked in. You would never expect that just by looking at the numbers. Keep that in mind!

Good luck!

calling someone "skinny-fat" because they don't have perfectly toned abs, but are perfectly healthy and look fine is insulting and ridiculous.

Falcon

If you're eating, you should eat more. You're six pounds minimum under weight. Your stomach does not look big at all. It will extend a bit due to the food you've consumed. That's nothing to worry about. Reset your goals to gain those six pounds and if that is difficult and you continue to lose weight, seek professional help about trying to gain some of those pounds back.