What am I doing wrong?

Sandycoffman1979

OK so I've been skinny my whole life I was 118 pounds when I got pregnant and was 201 at delivery in November. I've dropped 50 pounds but I'm stuck at 154. I work out every day and I burn more calories then I eat.. I'm walking, yoga, I can't do much more. But I still have a pudgy baby belly. What can I do??? I look great everywhere else except my tummy. I still look pregnant!!

Hornsby

Do you do strength training?

diannethegeek

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

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10177803/recomposition-maintaining-weight-while-losing-fat

cityruss

Time and genetics will most probably dictate what happens.

Given enough time, the right genetics, and as above some strength training you may regain what you once had.

Or, you may just have to own it.

kettiecat

http://www.m.webmd.com/baby/guide/abdominal-separation-diastasis-recti

coachmike24fit

Greetings, I looked at your food log from Nov until today. Congrats on your 50lbs. Your ratios aren't ideal nor are your overall food items. There is more but start with balancing your macros.

amselby81

You burn more calories than you eat? Like, if you eat 1,200 calories, you're burning more than that? If that's the case, then your body might think that it's starving. Your body needs some of the calories to be left over, so it can function. You don't need to burn all of your calories in exercise.

amselby81

But it does take time for your tummy to spring back. And it usually never goes back to looking the same way as it did before pregnancy. Try to embrace that, knowing that your body was able to cultivate another human being.

smantha32

I have a friend who had this problem. It turned out she had to have it corrected surgically. After being pregnant what she thought was belly fat was actually a tear in the abdominal lining and her intestines were spilling forward. She went in for a tummy tuck and they found it. Pregnancy can do some intense things to your body.

LHWhite903

Dude, all I can say is not to compare yourselves to the "supermodel mommies" you see being all "I had three kids, what's your excuse?" on those "fitspo" pictures. They had a team of surgeons, personal trainers and photoshop experts to make them look like stars. And lots of money, and people to care for their children while they're away. Those who aren't like they who are the exceptions to the rule have naught but their wits and their own bodies, no beautifying handicaps to speak of that boost them ahead of the game.
I'm not sure I'm expressing myself correctly, but do you understand what I'm trying to say, OP?

My mom may not have a movie-star bod, but she takes care of herself as best she can. She's gorgeous to me because I love her. I feel more close to her than anyone. That's what's important, that's all that matters now and ever after. Just...just love your kid(s), okay?

88meli88

Do you do core exercises? They definitely pulled back my pregnant belly

aimeelav

You might want to recheck some of your calorie counts. I noticed that you consistently log Kraft singles as 2 calories when it should be 70. You might be off on some other things as well.??
I agree with the other comments about core strengthening and maybe check to see if you have diastis recti (sp)

hamstertango

You only gave birth 3.5 ish months ago, I guess the body of a new mother has still hormones related to pregnancy and for breastfeeding (even if you don't feed) at this point it might be holding on to some weight.
Just a non-expert theory!

LivingtheLeanDream

If you're not losing weight you aren't actually burning more calories than you are eating

Sandycoffman1979

To answer all of you at once lol.... OK, I do have 5 kids and I had a rock hard flat tummy until this last one. Genetic wise, yes I agree I'm Italian and always had great skin and shape. I'm not trying to be a super model but I would love to just tone back up and lose the gut. I need tone tightening in my legs and certain spots. I burn about 200 to 300 calories every morning doing yoga core strenghing. Then I walk anywhere from 1.49 to 3miles a day. I have my intake calories at 1200 and my burn set at 1550. Everything I read has told me I need to burn more then I eat. Yes I am burning that, I do have a fitbit tracker. As for my diet I'm a very picky eater and I don't eat meat or salads. But I'm trying. As for the cheese and any other I scan all the food so that it's right. But I'm still learning everyone. So thank you for all help. So if my calories is 1200 what should my burn deficit be set too??

kimny72

OP, are you using a food scale? Your foods are almost all logged in cups and all round numbers.

Enter your correct stats into MFP, set your goal to no more than 1 lb per week to get your calorie goal, log your exercise and eat back half your exercise calories.

Use a food scale as much as possible, even for packaged items. The nutrition info on the package is correct for the weight listed, while the volume size is estimated. Lunch meat might say a serving is 2 slices/50 grams. But when you put 2 slices on the scale, they actually weigh 65 grams. Oatmeal serving is 1/2 cup or 40 grams, but I can get 45-50 grams in a 1/2 cup measuring scoop.

Strength training is probably the best thing you can do to help. And in order to build muscle, you need to make sure you are getting enough protein, which it looks like you are often short on.

I have not been pregnant, so I don't know if after a certain number of pregnancies your shape in that area might not be able to bounce back 100%. So definitely keep at it, but don't be so hard on yourself! Good luck

BarbaraMiller2

I'm going to leave you a couple of tips here for you to kickstart some weight loss! You need to remember than you need to be committed 100% in anything to achieve the results that you wish!

1. Sugar and alcoholic beverages provide no nutritional value, they are empty calories, sweet taste can be replaced by zero-calorie cinnamon.

2. Aim to lose weight in a healthy and achievable to keep feeding motivation long-term goals.

3. Contrary to what is popularly supposed: to lose weight you have to eat, you need to eat 5 or 6 meals a day to keep metabolism running, portions and ingredients of these foods are the key to weight loss.

In short, it’s best that you combine diet and exercises that suit you to lose weight.

You might find this useful:
http://fatburningmethods.com

malibu927

BarbaraMiller2 wrote: »

I'm going to leave you a couple of tips here for you to kickstart some weight loss! You need to remember than you need to be committed 100% in anything to achieve the results that you wish!

1. Sugar and alcoholic beverages provide no nutritional value, they are empty calories, sweet taste can be replaced by zero-calorie cinnamon.

2. Aim to lose weight in a healthy and achievable to keep feeding motivation long-term goals.

3. Contrary to what is popularly supposed: to lose weight you have to eat, you need to eat 5 or 6 meals a day to keep metabolism running, portions and ingredients of these foods are the key to weight loss.

In short, it’s best that you combine diet and exercises that suit you to lose weight.

You might find this useful:
http://fatburningmethods.com

Your metabolism is always running until you die. Meal frequency is personal preference.

OP, I'll repeat what others have said. Use a food scale to weigh your foods and lift heavy to focus on fat loss. One thing you haven't mentioned, are you breastfeeding?

kshama2001

Sandycoffman1979 wrote: »

To answer all of you at once lol.... OK, I do have 5 kids and I had a rock hard flat tummy until this last one. Genetic wise, yes I agree I'm Italian and always had great skin and shape. I'm not trying to be a super model but I would love to just tone back up and lose the gut. I need tone tightening in my legs and certain spots. I burn about 200 to 300 calories every morning doing yoga core strenghing. Then I walk anywhere from 1.49 to 3miles a day. I have my intake calories at 1200 and my burn set at 1550. Everything I read has told me I need to burn more then I eat. Yes I am burning that, I do have a fitbit tracker. As for my diet I'm a very picky eater and I don't eat meat or salads. But I'm trying. As for the cheese and any other I scan all the food so that it's right. But I'm still learning everyone. So thank you for all help. So if my calories is 1200 what should my burn deficit be set too??

I have a sense that something is wrong with your math but am tired and hungry and can't pinpoint it.

Unless you are solely relying on your fitbit, you may be over counting exercise calories.

If that's not it, tighten up your food logging, as others have suggested.

VintageFeline

Are you saying you're eating 1200 calories TOTAL and then burning 1550 through exercising. Making a net of -350?

daniwilford

I am thinking 25 lbs was probably baby, water, and decrease in circulation related volume to support the pregnancy. 25 lbs since in 3-4 months is great. As we age, our muscles and skin do not bounce back as quickly as they once did. Protein and strength training are essential to retaining that muscle while losing mostly fat. Aim for at least 90 grams of protein a day and eat at a deficit to lose .5 pounds a week. Do some kind of weight or resistance training 3 times a week. Patience and persistence will get you to the best you can be.

LKArgh

Sandycoffman1979 wrote: »

OK so I've been skinny my whole life I was 118 pounds when I got pregnant and was 201 at delivery in November. I've dropped 50 pounds but I'm stuck at 154. I work out every day and I burn more calories then I eat.. I'm walking, yoga, I can't do much more. But I still have a pudgy baby belly. What can I do??? I look great everywhere else except my tummy. I still look pregnant!!

You lost 50 lbs since November? Assuming 20 or so max, was the normal weight you lose because of baby, fluids etc, you have lost already a huge amount of body fat, so if you need to change something, this is to lose more slowly. Be patient, it will take time. And with almost doubling your weight during pregnancy, it will take even more time for things to firm up after weight loss. I would not even beginning worrying about going back to where you were pre baby for the next couple of years. Do not try the super fast loss approach, even if you do not get ill (which you will), the skin will not look pretty. Patience.

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