Looking for ladies "tummy apron" success stories!

bsbprincess

First of all, I don't mean to exclude the boys here. I just know female tummies naturally seem to stretch out more due to us having the whole baby-carrying ability :P

So here's where I'm at: I have the dreaded mommy apron. But the kicker: I'M NOT A MOMMY! LOL. I've never even been pregnant. I've been overweight, if not obese, since I was about 8 years old. I've yo-yo'd a lot. Up 20 here, down 30. Up 45. Down 60. Up 30... Since I was about 15. My highest was 220 in 2009, and my lowest was 161 a couple years after that. It hung down less, but looked the same, just a bit smaller.

I am now 29, and feel more dedicated than ever. But this tummy kills me. I hate seeing it just hang down like that (about two inches). My goal is 35 pounds away but my stomach hangs down like if I weighed much more. I see people lose this amount, if not way more, and their before photo tummies look better than mine! No hanging *shudders*

At the very lowest point I have a slight wrinkling appearance to the skin, but the rest of my stomach looks smooth. Just a bit of cellulite too, but for the most part it feels tight to my fat. I can only pinch the skin away at the lowest middle part, and that's just a tiny pinch.

So, ladies, after this horrifically embarrassing confession, I beg of you. Please give me some success stories of women that were able to pull their tummies back up (kids or no kids) without surgery! Photos are much appreciated!! Please, someone tell me it's possible!! I will be forever thankful.

RedsGirl73

I too am interested in hearing what others have to say about this.

coreyreichle

Skin, regardless of gender, stretches the same.

bsbprincess

Really? I always heard wrong then. Old wives tale lol.

Well I'm open to anyone giving me hope

Jessika29669

Men and women's skin aren't created equally unfortunately. Men have thicker skin, more hair follicles, different textures, as well as a higher collagen and hydration level. A lot of these changes start around puberty and if you do a little research you will see quite significant differences. However anyone can get that good ol apron belly thanks to the deep visceral fat in the tissue. I had this convo with my doctor and she basically said you can work really hard to target that type of fat with certain exercises and a good diet or get a tummy tuck. Exciting right?! Hopefully some have had success in getting rid of that deep layer of fat and can share their experience!

bsbprincess

Thanks for the reply!

Definitely hoping someone can give me some hope here, lol. I don't think I could ever have surgery voluntarily.

Asher_Ethan

I got up to 220 with my last pregnancy. My tummy came back in. I unfortunately don't have any pictures of me at 220.

StrongerMomto7

**following** I am very interested in the responses.

bsbprincess

@Asher_Ethan thank you!! You look great!! So that definitely helps

usmcmp

I wrote this:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1161603/so-you-want-a-nice-stomach/p1

Here's a picture of my progress:


I do have loose skin due to being obese when I got pregnant and gaining lots of weight:

bsbprincess

usmcmp wrote: »

I wrote this:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1161603/so-you-want-a-nice-stomach/p1

Here's a picture of my progress:


I do have loose skin due to being obese when I got pregnant and gaining lots of weight:

Thank you!!! Honestly, that doesn't look bad at all!!! Definitely gives me hope! Thanks for the link too, will definitely save that and re-read when I feel lost about what to do.

I'm ok if I have a bit of loose skin, but if it's not a noticeable hang that will show through bathing suit bottoms then I'd be thrilled. Honestly, if I looked like you I'd say it's a HUGE victory. Of course my tummy has more of the apron things going *sigh* but man you do give me hope. Bravo on doing such an amazing job

usmcmp

bsbprincess wrote: »

usmcmp wrote: »

I wrote this:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1161603/so-you-want-a-nice-stomach/p1

Here's a picture of my progress:


I do have loose skin due to being obese when I got pregnant and gaining lots of weight:

Thank you!!! Honestly, that doesn't look bad at all!!! Definitely gives me hope! Thanks for the link too, will definitely save that and re-read when I feel lost about what to do.

I'm ok if I have a bit of loose skin, but if it's not a noticeable hang that will show through bathing suit bottoms then I'd be thrilled. Honestly, if I looked like you I'd say it's a HUGE victory. Of course my tummy has more of the apron things going *sigh* but man you do give me hope. Bravo on doing such an amazing job

I was worried about loose skin because I felt I carried the weight a bit higher. Thankfully I ended up with it mostly at the bottom. I tuck it in when I am wearing a bikini. It takes time, just stick to it. If you get derailed along the way take a short break and don't beat yourself up. It took me 3 years of work to get there because I struggle with keeping eating under control. You'll get there.

bsbprincess

Bless you!!!! Your advice and sharing personal experience helps so much. Thank you!!!

ragenhay1

I still have 50lbs to go until I hit my goal but I've lost 30 so far and my mummy apron is definitely shrinking. I was concerned it wouldn't and I'd be stuck with it but I'm definitely seeing it shrink as I lose weight.

SweetTea111104

Following to see more progress pics. This is a worry of mine as well.

StrongerMomto7

SweetTea111104 wrote: »

Following to see more progress pics. This is a worry of mine as well.

This!

mousie1973

I had a very large mommy apron at my highest of 292... now that i have lost 43 pounds, it is definitely shrinking (i can shave "down there" without having to lift the belly out of the way anymore...TMI Probably...lol sorry)... but i am hoping it goes away even more... i still have almost 90 pounds to lose so i am sure i will end up with some loose skin but hopefully not too much...

JenniferIsLosingIt

Being at 412 (my highest was 414, currently 295) I have a major apron but its lifting. I highly recommend lifting heavy. All the extra muscle helps "lift"

courtney_love2001

I have lost 12 lbs and my hangy down stomach was the first place I noticed a major shrinkage.

zyxst

I've lost 173#. My stomach has lifted up maybe 2" during the last 4 ears. Idk if I'll have any more shrinkage because there's still a lot of flab.

MommyMeggo

I have 3 kids (one is 7 months old) and Im going to have an apron until I decide to surgically fix it LOL- if I ever want to. Im interested to see how it looks once I hit goal. I might just be so damn proud of myself <or it may look okay by then> that I wont even care. Ive started lifting recently. (SL 5x5) Because I know without building muscle there is zero chance for me to change the shape of my body... tummy included.
I took some "befores" so we will see how it goes! Since Jan 7th Ive lost 1" on my waist, 1" on my thigh and 1" on my hips. Hubby says my tummy looks slimmer too. So, YAY!

kfdcem

Mine's a lot better, but honestly at 15 pounds from goal it's really not great. I think I'll just have to have success stories in other areas. I expect the thing will improve a bit as my core strengthens, but it'll never be particularly lovely. My best solution is to remind myself that a strong, healthy body is more important than a picture-perfect body, until I gain the confidence to believe it!

Meganthedogmom

@bsbprincess I could have written this thread myself, we could be twins! Except my highest recorded weight was 251.

I've lost 86lb so far and I'm sure my apron has shrunk some, but it is definitely the focal point of my body when I look in the mirror nude. Very much still there. I hope to hear/see some success stories on this thread.

bsbprincess

Ladies!! Thanks so much to all of you for joining in here, it makes me feel so much better. Strength in numbers, right?

I took a photo of my stomach (with underwear properly under my tummy so no hiding it LOL) when I started on Jan 2nd and I took another a few days ago. It definitely looks a bit smaller, and I'm pretty sure it has come "up" some too. It was so exiting to see that. Back when I lost weight I never took photos. It's so easy for me to excuse away small things like pants being a little looser or a weight change. But seeing a proper side-by-side and the differences already makes me so happy.

I have been eating much better, and getting through my Jillian Michaels videos. I'd love to go to the gym and see these "heavy lifting" changes that so many amazing women have shown off, but that has to wait for at least a couple months. I'm happy that in the meantime I have seen changes though, including an inch around my hips and waist.

bsbprincess

Oh and if I have an impressive before and after later I'd be willing to share, but too embarrassed for now :P I have also been exfoliating my lower abdominal area with a wash cloth and using lotion there and I swear it's helping. My skin looks a bit less wrinkled even though I've lost weight! Definitely try it ladies!

raisingcropsandkids

Ok. Being brave because I was hoping to see some awesome before and after a in this post lol.
I have 4 kids, 1 c/s. Mine has definitely shrunk. No tucking it in for my pictures so you can see the difference. It's my #1 thing I dislike too when I look in the mirror. This progress pic was a few months ago. Probably around 30lb loss between these picture, I've lost 48 now but I don't feel like it's changed much since then. I lift weights and do cardio.

raisingcropsandkids

Here's about a month ago, how I'd typically wear pants to hold it all in!

mrsnazario1219

This is only 20 lbs down but I can see my apron shrinking. I have 3 kids and still have 50 lbs to go. It's one thing I hate the most. It actually only showed up after kid number 3.

salembambi

ive lost 160 pounds and my lower belly is beyond hope and a source of sadness for me

if u got a lot to lose surgery is the only thing that will rid it

ladylensherr

Following, I have an apron and curious how it will decrease as I drop the pounds.

Meganthedogmom

Nice job, ladies!! I can tell a big difference in all your pics
Unfortunately I never took a before pic at my heaviest, but I have some progress pics I'll track down to post in a bit.