Target weight but still have baby belly

grace173

Hi,

I'm almost at my target weight and I really don't want to lose any more weight from my bust! I'm very happy with my muscle tone and the size of my legs and butt. I'm an athletic build so I really don't want to go back to 10stone (140pounds) which was my pre-pregnancy weight for years but I was skinny. I like my shape now and I don't want to get much skinnier BUT even though I do eight minute abs every day aswell as my normal workout which has a good bit of abs in it too I can't seem to lose my baby belly.

My core is strong. I can feel it underneath and it is strong. We can always do more and I'm sure its more I need to do but can someone advise me how I can keep up my workout so I don't put weight on but that I can lose this belly and not much more from anywhere else?

I have also done 6 week 6pack twice in a row and I didn't see much improvement around the belly. I stopped drinking any alcohol during the week and this has made some difference but not as much as I thought it would.

I should be comfortably wearing size 8's but I'm afraid to because of my belly and a lot of what I wear is too big for me.

Thank you.

mallen404

lifting weights?

Is your diet very healthy?

grace173

Its fairly healthy I would say. (except for wine at the weekend or an odd beer)

I'm vegetarian but I am taking whey protein and eating lots more beans. I don't think it could get much healthier to be honest. I'm sure in other peoples eyes it could but in mine I'm happy with my diet.

erinsueburns

If it is loose skin, there may not be much except for time to help you out there. If it is excess fat, then while you may not need to loose "weight", you probably do still have some fat you want/need to lose. And the simple fact of the matter is you can't spot reduce or target fat with specific excercises. So you may need to work on a cycle of bulking and cutting to lose body fat without, in the end, actually losing any "weight, ie build muscle then lose fat and repeat as needed. But doing that, chances are really high, that some of the breast fat is going to go too. So you have to take a look at yourself and decide which things are most important to you.

joyincincy

From my understanding, stress= belly fat, or more technically a rise in cortisol levels. This hormone loves to make our bellies big, so I would suggest finding ways to destress, not easy (i'm sure) with a baby in the house. Good luck, it sounds like you are doing excellent in every way!

Joannesmith2818

Is it bloat?? I get a baby tummy when I eat certain things. Even at my slimmest it used to stick out.

Mischievous_Rascal

You can't spot reduce - not what you want to hear, but true. Weight lifting and eating at maintenance (with adequate protein levels) will slowly recomposition your body by reducing your overall body fat % while retaining your lean muscle mass. (I hit my target weight last year, but I'm only now losing inches off my belly, back and inner thighs - genetically this is where I gain first and lose last. I lift 3x week, eat 2300 cals/day with my macros set to 40C/30P/30F.) I recommend starting with New Rules of Lifting for Women or Stronglifts 5x5. Best of luck.

RGv2

If it is loose skin, there may not be much except for time to help you out there. If it is excess fat, then while you may not need to loose "weight", you probably do still have some fat you want/need to lose. And the simple fact of the matter is you can't spot reduce or target fat with specific excercises. So you may need to work on a cycle of bulking and cutting to lose body fat without, in the end, actually losing any "weight, ie build muscle then lose fat and repeat as needed. But doing that, chances are really high, that some of the breast fat is going to go too. So you have to take a look at yourself and decide which things are most important to you.

thread/

grace173

Thanks so much for your replies. I might just wait until I lose another 4 pounds and then start lifting. I don't want to bulk up too much. Thanks again for all of your advice.

yoovie

Nutrition and weight training will bring down your body fat % enough to see your midsection the way you would like to. Unfortunately, there is no way to do that without your bust shrinking a bit (also - weights will help keep the girls firmer and even probably pick em up a bit) - unless you have some diamond genetics ♥♥♥ good luck!!!!

yoovie

Thanks so much for your replies. I might just wait until I lose another 4 pounds and then start lifting. I don't want to bulk up too much. Thanks again for all of your advice.

Dont worry you cant!

geekyjock76

Winners in beauty pageants wish for world peace. My wish would be to find the source of this "I don't want to bulk by lifting weights," and make it dead.

ashliejones13

"I don't want to bulk up too much"
Lol

Briargrey

Thanks so much for your replies. I might just wait until I lose another 4 pounds and then start lifting. I don't want to bulk up too much. Thanks again for all of your advice.

You won't 'bulk up' really by lifting. It takes a lot to get that bodybuilder bulk, and you pretty much have to make an effort to do it, if my recollections from research and posts on mfp are correct So definitely look into adding some weightlifting into your routine. There are several threads and groups here with some really knowledgeable people who can help you get started.

erinsueburns

Thanks so much for your replies. I might just wait until I lose another 4 pounds and then start lifting. I don't want to bulk up too much. Thanks again for all of your advice.

I thought all that too, and just IME, I really, really wish I had started lifting weights earlier. ETA: You won't bulk up either, it is extraordinarily difficult for women to do.