Underweight with tummy fat, help! (pics)

sarahlove43

I am 4'10 and currently 88 pounds, which according to my BMI puts me at 18.4, or barely underweight. However, i have this horrible tummy bulge i have never been able to get rid of! I cant wear a bikini without feeling self-conscious. Everywhere i look I hear that spot reduction is impossible, and that the best way to get rid of fat is cardio/calorie deficit.

I am at a loss of what to do. I have started doing pilates ab exercises several times a week. Should I stick with this? I'm worried this will only make me grow muscle underneath the fat. Is lifting weights necessary? I don't have the time/money for the gym, but i do have dumbbells at home.
I have also started doing 20 min of HIIT cardio every other day. Should I cut the cardio? I know I technically shouldn't be losing more weight but right now I feel like that is the only way to lose the fat.

This is not a result of me being too low a weight, as i have been up to 103 before and still had it. I will admit that the reason my weight is this low now is because I have been so concerned about my stomach. But although it has decreased in size it is still very much there.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I have included pictures since I have been told before that its all probably in my head :P

JOYOUS62

You look amazing, I wish my tummy bulge was like yours

Help4nb

there is nothing wrong with you tummy!! but your very upset by it so i suggest you stick with crunches , ab workouts etc to tone up the area.
maybe you could find some pictures of when you where bigger and compare? sometime we concentrate to much on one thing and not the bigger picture and dont see the changes, i know i do! some times its just a case of excepting you body for how it is and being happy xxx

sz8soon

I'm worried this will only make me grow muscle underneath the fat

Muscle is not a bad thing!!! You can't focus just on your stomach and expect to see results either- You can't spot reduce! Cardio is great for you heart and it will help you gain a caloric deficit- but it's not the only way to lose fat! I've included some links to recent threads that were started that may be of some benefit for you!

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/865577-may-i-please-have-your-undivided-attention
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/862337-why-girls-shouldn-t-lift-weights-like-men-disgusting-hey

ingeh

to me your tummy is perfect - Id like mine like that. Maybe just do a strength workout 3 days a week plua a bit of cardio too? Im going to do the fitnessblender.com kettlebell workout 3 days a week plus cardio on the same days when Im done with 30 day shred. SHred has helped get me from 33-30 inch waist so maybe try that too?

Helloitsdan

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12


Follow the info on this link.
Get TDEE.

Eat 10% above TDEE every day.
Lift heavy 3x a week using www.stronglifts.com.

You are skinny fat.
Thats okay because its reversible.

If you do what I say youll lose the fat and gain a little lean mass.
This will round you out.
;D

sarahlove43

Thanks for the replies! And for the kind words It really is more pronounced in real life, I literally have a crease under my belly button from the bulge. even my boyfriend has commented on it asking me why I dont have a normal stomach. :frown:

A couple questions...

I have read before that heavy lifting could help, but is it possible at home? All i have is 3lb-25lb dumbbells.
Would doing a low weight/high rep workout like 30 day shred not give me the right results/make me lose too much weight?

Also I'm going to admit that I tend to eat under 1000 calories a day. I simply don't get that hungry. Because of my size, I was never able to eat alot without gaining weight. Im worried that my metabolism has slowed down and that even eating at TDEE will make me gain weight very fast=more fat.

Is the only way to gain muscle by increasing my calories? Will lifting weights stop me from gaining fat as well?

And is there a point in me doing cardio if i have to eat more?

jenbenefit

Thanks for the replies! And for the kind words It really is more pronounced in real life, I literally have a crease under my belly button from the bulge. even my boyfriend has commented on it asking me why I dont have a normal stomach. :frown:

A couple questions...

I have read before that heavy lifting could help, but is it possible at home? All i have is 3lb-25lb dumbbells.
Would doing a low weight/high rep workout like 30 day shred not give me the right results/make me lose too much weight?

Also I'm going to admit that I tend to eat under 1000 calories a day. I simply don't get that hungry. Because of my size, I was never able to eat alot without gaining weight. Im worried that my metabolism has slowed down and that even eating at TDEE will make me gain weight very fast=more fat.

Is the only way to gain muscle by increasing my calories? Will lifting weights stop me from gaining fat as well?

And is there a point in me doing cardio if i have to eat more?

Your boyfriend sounds like a right keeper there babes.... :huh:

You honesty look AMAZING. I think looking at before pictures will help to boost your self confidence as well,and did you tke measurements,waist measurements before to see the difference? Maybe before when you were "heavier (hate that word) the belly was less noticeable but now the weight has gone from other places it feels more pronounced? You should still be so proud of what you have achieved!

Personally, I don't know a lot about lifting but I have just ordered my kettlebell this morning to start me off on weight/strength training as so many forum posts suggest this to help lose the "skinny fat" look and help tone up. I would suggest weight/strength training also,and possibly eating more protein?

Lots of people rate the jillian micheals dvds (all on youtube) and 30 day shred and 6 week six pack are a good mix of cardio strength and compound moves which you may find help tone you up.=)

AmandaW01

Oh my word you have a beautiful figure - and a lovely tummy! You're a woman, not a robot, girls have slightly rounded bellies unless they work out heavy - a lot - that's NATURAL and you are so not fat! Every single one of us is different - your tummy is in no way abnormal (I'd give your boyfriend a good slapping if I got my hands on him!)

Right... ok, so eating at 1000 cals a day is NOT healthy, you know that. If you do as suggested, TDEE +10% and work out with weights then you won't gain, you'll just build muscle but your tummy which is obviously upsetting you may we reduce slightly. Don't worry about gaining, you have a LONG way to go before you'd even become 'normal' let alone overweight - chill out, relax and work out. Try the advice given here, you need to eat more to build the muscle you need so don't worry. We're all fed such utter *kitten* about what makes us fat, bulking up, body shape etc so that our ideas are completely warped.

You look beautiful, you have a body I would cheerfully die for, if you want to change it work at it, don't starve it xx

Jo2926

I agree. Not a nice supportive boyfriend thing to say. No-one has a "normal" anything, so tell him to sod off next time he is mean.

Doing some heavy lifting and gaining some weight will help. If you eat the right foods (i.e. real food, high protein, good fats like nuts,avocados) and do the right exercises you will gain mostly muscle not fat. And you will look even better than you already look. AND feeling like a bad *kitten* will help your self confidence, because we can all tell you how beautiful your body is, but you will not believe us I fear.

I find this story inspirational:
http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2011/07/21/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/
(have a look at her final photos!)

The same website has good body weight workouts, and I like some of the dumbbell workouts on this site:
http://www.stumptuous.com/category/training/workout_ideas

Good luck
*HUGS*

Mexie1

Not much to add advice-wise. Just to say I wouldn't rely too much on BMI, especially as you are short. According to a new BMI scale, your weight is in the 'normal' range for your height at 19.9 (there are 14lbs in a st). This is not completely validated as it's new, but the old system is not great either.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9816596/Interactive-calculator-do-you-win-or-lose-with-the-new-BMI.html

katevarner

Can't see your diary, so don't know what you are eating. You are small, so you don't need a lot of calories, but I bet 1000 is still too low, especially if you aren't trying to lose.

Work out with weights, even the ones you have at home. You don't have to lift "heavy" to build muscle, but you do have to lift, and as your muscles get used to the weight, you have to increase. You can start with just your body weight, tho, doing pushups and squats. Planks are also great for your abs. Check out youtube for body weight workouts. Make sure you are eating at least 80g of protein per day from healthy sources and eat plenty of healthy fats. Carbs can make your belly stick out more than it normally would, so don't eat more than 60% of your calories from carbs, and try to eat much lower--I aim for 45, but lots of MFPers aim for more like 40 or even lower.

Part of what makes your belly stick out like it does is just estrogen, being a girl, so you don't really want to get rid of that, but you can firm your body up a little. And if you are finished losing weight, you can definitely eat more, but if you are scared of gaining, only increase your calories by a little at a time. Maybe 150 more calories per day this week, then in a couple of weeks if things are going ok, add some more?

langsyne

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12


Follow the info on this link.
Get TDEE.

Eat 10% above TDEE every day.
Lift heavy 3x a week using www.stronglifts.com.

You are skinny fat.
Thats okay because its reversible.

If you do what I say youll lose the fat and gain a little lean mass.
This will round you out.
;D

This!!
Oh, and slap the boyfriend upside the head - that might burn a few calories.

applekrisp1988

You are so beautiful! I don't see any fat on that tummy. Don't need to lose a pound. Just stay on track with eating healthy!!!

Otter1422

Skinny girl problems! You look great but I can see what you are saying and can understand you wanting more definition in your belly. Everyone has already given great advice and I would echo the weightlifting and any core exercise programs you can find. You look fabulous though so feel good about yourself. You seem in good shape if you are up to it I would recommend giving the P90X a try it really is a good program for that last mile of fitness. I need to work up to that program.

Caroline1755

I have the EXACT same problem! I'm a thin person (5'5", 125 pounds, 27 years old) but I have a gut. When I wear a bikini I look fine from the front but then turn to the side and my lower belly pokes out. Sooo annoying...please reply back here if you find anything that works!

amberrro

I wish my stomach looked like this!

areumdawn

Im not sure. But you do have a very apple shaped body. Maybe it's just our shape, we tend to carry most of our fat in the stomach/waist area.

Sqeekyjojo

Have some pity for your boyfriend.

He's obviously been so unsuccessful with women in his youth that his idea of 'normal' has been gained from looking at Photoshopped pictures of models in dirty magazines.


Unless he looks like Wesley Snipes in Blade, I'd be asking him why he doesn't look like a normal man as well. In all areas.

RandiLandCHANGED

I had a similar issue. Eating more and lifting weights is what helped.

CaddieMay

Have some pity for your boyfriend.

He's obviously been so unsuccessful with women in his youth that his idea of 'normal' has been gained from looking at Photoshopped pictures of models in dirty magazines.


Unless he looks like Wesley Snipes in Blade, I'd be asking him why he doesn't look like a normal man as well. In all areas.

^ This ^

Heitor71

I have started doing pilates ab exercises several times a week. Should I stick with this? I'm worried this will only make me grow muscle underneath the fat. Is lifting weights necessary? I don't have the time/money for the gym, but i do have dumbbells at home.

Lifting is important and will be important for you. Find a program that you like and work on body building. Be patient and you will begin to see the changes that you want.

littlebudgie

You will gain weight if you start eating at TDEE - 20% if you've been eating less than 1000 calories a day. This is perfectly normal, because your body is not used to it, and it will probably last a few weeks. There is more information on this here: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/238282-700-calories-a-day-and-not-losing-redux?hl=700+calories

But! Eating more and working out will help you to build muscle, which will help change your body fat composition, which is frankly more important than your BMI. Having more muscle increases your TDEE, which means that your body will burn more fat. Plus, because you're eating more, your body will not be cannibalizing muscle for energy. And doing strength training helps preserve muscle mass during weight loss.

1LeeR

I, too, have the same problem. I'm 5 foot (153cm), and weigh 43.2 kg (95 pounds) and have this belly. I know that I have 29.5% body fat, and it's all in my belly, hips and bottom. I figure that if I lose some more weight (I've lost 1.5kg in a fortnight - I was 45kg), I'll lose some of the body fat and then I can work on the toning and muscle gain. It seems totally irrational wanting to lose the weight, but I don't know of/see any other way of getting rid of the body fat and toning up. I'm glad you started this post, Sarahlove43, as I'm sure there's more of us wanting to do the 'right' thing by ourselves, without sabotaging our health (both physical and mental).
Lee x

dokme

dang you look great. You put in alot of hard work. Like the rest have said there is nothing wrong with your tummy. hell wish my looked that good. I'm so sick of the dune lap. lol!!!!!

SkimFlatWhite68

First world problems. I wish my gut looked like that. Fortunately though I am grateful that I don't have a boyfriend like yours.
So thinking about it, I'll keep my stomach. I know it will diminish in time.

cocolicious2

You look really good, but I can relate to feeling self conscous about tummy bulge. You might consider your hip flexors. Some times when we have tight hip flexors the muscles when tight can kind of pull your your lower back forward (Not sure if I explained that well) but anyways if you stretch out your hip flexors regularly it can decrease your "pooch" A lot of yoga moves can help with this and just various hip flexor stretches. Hope this helps and you look Great just the way you are!

hedwardsb

You look AMAZING!
Sadly, I never appreciated how fabulous my stomach looked in my 20s until I'd had 3 children.
Keep striving for fitness, but try to enjoy how awesome you look!

sarahlove43

Update!
Its been almost 2 months and I completed 30 day shred, and have continued to do cardio and pilates. I haven't exactly been happy with my progress as I have stayed pretty much the same weight. But i took pictures the other day, and i actually notice somewhat a difference!

I may be the same weight, but my stomach has noticeably gotten smaller and firmer. I have lost maybe a total of 1-1.25" off my waist. however there is still quite a bit of fat on it. I am now moving on to heavy lifting. Hopefully that can give me better results faster!

kdiamond

Good for you! I do see a difference!

I was unhappy with my body and felt I had a lot of flabbiness at 100 pounds and 5'4" and eating 1000 calories a day or so. Then I educated myself about the importance of strength training and eating!! I gained 12 pounds over the last 3 years and my body has never been better at 36 years old...I have ab definition even after having 2 kids, and I feel fantastic in a bikini.

I thought the answer was being "skinnier" - but I found out the hard way it isn't. I don't think you look bad, but you're undermuscled, and that's only going to change if you eat more and lift heavier. You can definitely do a lot with 25 pound dumbbells...walking lunges, squats, deadlifts, shoulder press, rows, etc..

sarahlove43

Good for you! I do see a difference!

I was unhappy with my body and felt I had a lot of flabbiness at 100 pounds and 5'4" and eating 1000 calories a day or so. Then I educated myself about the importance of strength training and eating!! I gained 12 pounds over the last 3 years and my body has never been better at 36 years old...I have ab definition even after having 2 kids, and I feel fantastic in a bikini.

I thought the answer was being "skinnier" - but I found out the hard way it isn't. I don't think you look bad, but you're undermuscled, and that's only going to change if you eat more and lift heavier. You can definitely do a lot with 25 pound dumbbells...walking lunges, squats, deadlifts, shoulder press, rows, etc..

Thanks! And that is very inspiring! I have been so frustrated lately because I have been working hard, eating well, and still see hardly any results. I have started lifting heavier, so I'm hoping that will finally give me the change I've always wanted