belly issues

BeccaLoves2lift

So here is my problem area. I think it's a mix of some loose skin and a little fat. I'm not sure I have much weight I could still lose. I can wear a boy shorts bikini in public and this area is covered but I would love to confidently wear a bikini like this. For some background I have three kids, last one born in 2014. I lost 22 pounds last year from January to July and have been recomping since then. I do lift weights with progressive overload. I do some cardio including hiking and biking but nothing on a schedule. Will this improve with maintenance and recomp? Has anyone improved an issue like this without losing more weight?

aeloine

I hear that it takes a couple of years for your skin to fully "bounce back" to its highest potential. I'm looking forward to other answers, but thank you for being brave and posting pictures! You look amazing and the wrinkles are barely noticeable.

nowine4me

In the short run, look at moderate coverage bikinis, they come up a few inches higher and would cover that all up, there are plenty of styles with high cut sides to show off your awesome legs/hips and that have strings and ties. Don’t need to go as far as boy shorts.

How do I know? Experience. I have the exact same thing. Oh, and I’ve never even had kids.

You look amazing.

marissafit06

Congrats losing the baby weight. I agree with pp that you look amazing. A high waisted swimsuit with cutouts would be a good option for you as you could show of the same amount of skin without calling attention to that area of your stomach. I had my last baby in 2011 and I still have loose skin and stretch marks and they are actually more noticeable when I am thinner as the rest of my skin fills out when I gain weight. When I get thin enough for all the lower belly fat to totally disappear my boobs are pretty much gone also. For me post partum I have a different body which looks good in different stuff and figuring out what that stuff was made it easier for me to enjoy how I looked instead of fighting to look the way I used to.

maybe1pe

For one you really do look great. I have the same thing and am just hoping over time it continues to get better. Because like others have said skin takes time.

I agree with the higher waisted bottoms, doesn't have to be boy shorts but there are other options.
I either wear a higher cut that has ties on the sides so it's still cute but covers what I wanted covered. OR I just wear the smaller ones and let it hang out. I've realized no one but me actually cares. And I usually find once I'm out at the beach I don't even think about it because I'm too busy having fun.

But you really do look great.

BeccaLoves2lift

Thank you for all the replies. It sounds like patience will be my friend

_piaffe

You look amazing!!

I completely relate. Almost 43 yo and 3 kids here (youngest is over 5). I have diastis and a 3-finger gap to this day, and short of a tummy tuck, nothing will shrink it. I've tried recomp and leaning out - see pics below. (I am currently about 10 pounds over this now).

Agree with above: find a better cut of bikini that works for you so you feel as good as you look!

In these pics, you see me in low waisted yoga pants. They're actually folded down because I was taking pictures of the belly "poof" to monitor progress (sadly, none). What works for me is HIGH waisted yoga pants! The minute I put them on, I have "snug" coverage keeping me all tucked in - they typically go above my belly button, so the focus becomes the more defined upper ab area. The mushy lower middle vanishes, like magic. Suddenly, I look 10 pounds lighter and cut.

LivingtheLeanDream

As others say find a better cut bikini. IMO your tummy looks flat, there's just a little tiny bit of excess skin. I only wish my excess skin was as little as that...but having kids changes our bodies. You look great! and no, you don't need to lose any more weight.

TravisJHunt

You look great. You've had kids, you're not 19 anymore (or at least i assume since you have 3 of them) so give yourself a little bit of a break. 95% of the population doesn't look that good and I'd say way more than 5% wear bikinis so just do it and be proud that you've gotten your body in such great shape. Feel proud, you look sexy and rock that body!

LadySyren

Becca, you look great! I had four kids and my belly was the same as yours is now. When I had talked with my doctor about it, I was told that the only thing that will flatten that last little bit is surgery to remove the sagging skin. It's lost it's elasticity and really won't flatten out any more.

whitney_cherelle

I have the same issue...however I have just now begun to exercise. I had actually given up and decided to save for a tummy tuck...but I have put that thought on hold. My stomach is a lot bigger than yours, and even though some of mine is skin, I’m pretty sure that I have a lot of fat under there too. I’ve been doing measurements since I have begun working out, to see if what I’m doing is making a difference. Like everyone has said is does take time. You’re already ahead of me because you have consistently been exercising. This year is my first year at exercising, so I’m sure as long as I stay consistent I will see some results. As others have said...high waisted bottoms will probably do you some justice! Your tummy looks amazing! Keep on keeping on!

victoria_1024

You know, I have 4 kids (my youngest was born in 2015) and my stomach doesn't look great. Between the bellies from 4 babies, plus being obese in the past, the stretch marks and loose skin are not pretty. But despite that, I still confidently wear a bikini. 90 lbs lost and 4 kids later, I'm proud of my stomach. Find a suit that you feel is flattering to you and enjoy!

krael65

_piaffe wrote: »

You look amazing!!

I completely relate. Almost 43 yo and 3 kids here (youngest is over 5). I have diastis and a 3-finger gap to this day, and short of a tummy tuck, nothing will shrink it. I've tried recomp and leaning out - see pics below. (I am currently about 10 pounds over this now).

Agree with above: find a better cut of bikini that works for you so you feel as good as you look!

In these pics, you see me in low waisted yoga pants. They're actually folded down because I was taking pictures of the belly "poof" to monitor progress (sadly, none). What works for me is HIGH waisted yoga pants! The minute I put them on, I have "snug" coverage keeping me all tucked in - they typically go above my belly button, so the focus becomes the more defined upper ab area. The mushy lower middle vanishes, like magic. Suddenly, I look 10 pounds lighter and cut.

First of all, you look great! Can I ask what exercises you do or avoid due to your diastasis recti? I have that dreaded "dome belly", even though I'm fairly lean. I'm 5'2", ~112 at the moment. I had a twin pregnancy during which I topped out around 190lbs, so my belly got HUGE. I was also 42 at the time I delivered, so gravity + less elasticity = not a pretty picture. Now, no matter how lean I get, my belly still protrudes. I was lifting for a while, but it seems to make the belly protrusion worse. I'm fantasizing now about tummy tuck/abdominoplasty.

Rincewind_1965

To all of you: Be proud, you achieved the "impossible" already ...
The miracle of achieving "perfection" now is merely a question of time ...

cheryldumais

LadySyren wrote: »

Becca, you look great! I had four kids and my belly was the same as yours is now. When I had talked with my doctor about it, I was told that the only thing that will flatten that last little bit is surgery to remove the sagging skin. It's lost it's elasticity and really won't flatten out any more.

I think you look amazing. I wanted to comment on what @LadySyren said about surgery being the only option. She's probably right but I wanted to share my experience just in case you or anyone else are considering that. I had a Tummy Tuck in December (I lost 100+ pounds from my highest weight). While some areas are better I have had alot of complications and I chose one of the "best" surgeons. I was watching a documentary the other day on Tummy Tuck surgery and they stated that I think it was 60% of people were not happy with the result. 30% had problems. Personally I have to say that your body is amazing and looks better than mine does after surgery. Remember you are looking down at your tummy and see all the little bumps that others don't notice because they are looking at you straight on. Be proud my friend you look great.

DomesticKat

You look fabulous!

I've had five kids, and while it did improve with fat loss, I'm still left with the "dog jowls" as I like to call them. After several pregnancies, the collagen and elastin fibers in the skin are broken down. Sometimes, if damage to the fibers isn't too severe, it bounces back. There isn't anything that can bring those fibers back at a molecular level once they're damaged past the point of bouncing back. The only solution is surgery at that point. I stick to mid-rise bikini bottoms that tuck it in without being too high wasted and frumpy looking. Venus makes some that are cute, and I've found some on Amazon.

carlywilkins14

I wish I looked like that. Be happy with your self I would be!

_piaffe

[/quote]

First of all, you look great! Can I ask what exercises you do or avoid due to your diastasis recti? I have that dreaded "dome belly", even though I'm fairly lean. I'm 5'2", ~112 at the moment. I had a twin pregnancy during which I topped out around 190lbs, so my belly got HUGE. I was also 42 at the time I delivered, so gravity + less elasticity = not a pretty picture. Now, no matter how lean I get, my belly still protrudes. I was lifting for a while, but it seems to make the belly protrusion worse. I'm fantasizing now about tummy tuck/abdominoplasty. [/quote]

Pilates - mat work and reformer, with proper form - helped, but honestly, short of surgery, I rely on higher waisted pants. My belly will always protrude.

I look smaller if I'm dieting and keeping food volume low.

The problem for me, mostly, is that I'm a healthy foods volume eater. And I exercise a lot, so I've got a generous daily allowance (~2250-2500 to maintain, sometimes as high as 3000). That's a lot of food in my belly! I pop out immediately.

smithker75

I have four childerbeasts and have been at my maintenance weight for almost 5 years now. I thankfully, somehow, dodged the loose skin issue. BUT I do have some stretch marks, cesarean scar, personal aversion to bikinis etc...
My fix was to find a gorgeous, structured one piece (or tankini) that was both sexy and flattering. I can show off all my 'best' bits and camouflage the rest.

kell0606

just my two cents: i've been in maintenance since september and i've been trying to wear a spanx tummy slimmer type thing most days, and i *think* its helped everything bounce back. now when i look in the mirror my stomach still isn't totally flat, but i don't have that pouch hanging down anymore. (i've been trying to lift weights too, but haven't been super disciplined about it.) good luck - i hope things continue to improve for you!!

marissafit06

Isn't that just a glorified waist trainer? I think the way waist trainers work is that you stop wearing them and your waist returns to normal (assuming no calorie deficit in the meantime).

BeccaLoves2lift

marissafit06 wrote: »

Isn't that just a glorified waist trainer? I think the way waist trainers work is that you stop wearing them and your waist returns to normal (assuming no calorie deficit in the meantime).

That's my understanding as well.