Im wondering if anyones stomach looks like mine

It's kind of hard to tell with that picture, you already look pretty good!
What part are you worried about? Maybe put up a pic from the side?

Um... I think you already do have a flat stomach... What am I missing here?

You both look like you have a normal, healthy, not fat, female tummy! If you want it to look like the magazines then you have to NOT eat..(how many models and famous people have admitted to their eating disorders?).or, be realistic and stop looking at magazine pictures!

Thank you, but I'm trying to get some abs

Hi
Yep it's that evil pouch that almost impossible to get rid of. I hate when people tell me that I don't have a stomach, because the pouch is clearly there! Well, this is what I can tell you from my experience:
I do abs targeted exercises at least 3 times a week (both mid and low abdomen). I have clearly defined side lines and the packs. Yet I also have a pouch! It is not as noticeable as yours when I'm standing, but when I sit down, I can clearly see it, and it's annoying
I read every article I could find on how to get rid of the pouch, and I keep switching exercises, but the pouch is there. What I gathered from multiple sources is that they only way to get rid of the pouch is to lose weight overall. So the other person who mentioned models in magazines is correct - you need to be really thin to get rid of that pouch, but then that kind of thin borderline with eating disorders. I think this is just part of female anatomy to have some extra cushion on the front.

My recommendation:

--Try targeted exercises. You can find tons of videos on Youtube. I think once you see more definition, you'll be happier. At least it will look really good standing up.
--Try losing a bit more weight. You already look thin, so be careful not to get too obsessed.

I hope this helps. I am in exactly the same boat. Fighting!!

Hi all,

My understanding is that the ab fat is the hardest area for a woman to shift because it's purpose is to help protect the reproductive organs.We are mammals after all, and this is a vunerable part of a woman's body, particularly when carrying a child, and we have nothing other than fat to protect it, whereas our other esssential organs such as the heart, lungs etc are all protected by the ribgage. So this is always the last place that a woman will lose fat as the body will try and hang onto it as long as possible. Dieting away the stomach fat for some women would mean a very low overall weight is needed, which may not be healthy or natural, so probably one to approach with care, in terms of diet.

Reducing fat in any one spot is really difficult from exercise alone, and stomach muscles will only become more defined as the fat on top of the muscles reduces, however exercises that require stability work the deep muscles and can help strengthen your tummy. So look for exercises like cable crunches, stability ball exercises, plank, rotating plank etc to work those deep core muscles, rather than knocking out 100's of sit ups.

That's my entirely unscientific thoughts anyway, I've still got quite a long way to go myself as well but working at it :-)

Now being a man, you can ignore me if you like... But as far as I've heard, to get that "washboard abs" or "6pack stomach", it requires a LOT, and I mean A FREAKING LOT, of strength training. Just dieting won't bring out this hidden 6pack. I think that might be a common misconception. Women with nice abs quite often have a job that involves tons of lifting, or do a lot of workouts that involve abs.

Take this with a grain of salt, but it's my two cents

hi hi:) Hoping I can help. I've always been petite but up til recently I still had that squishy bit around my hips and stomach. Now I don't have to flex in the least bit and my abs are hard. So it can be done! Like other people said, you can't spot reduce so keep working to lower your overall bf%. Take the time to educate yourself on ways to take your workouts to the next level, really challenge yourself. Also, take time to honestly assess what you're eating. Cutting out sugary items, fast food, and pop altogether (no cheat days!) made a substantial difference for me. Especially at a smaller size, that excess sugar and sodium shows up pretty quick.

Best of luck! Don't hesitate to give me a holla if there's anything I can do to further help :flowerforyou: