Being Faux-preggers (oh yes! Pictures of belly!)

Scidoc
Scidoc Posts: 106 Member
edited September 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Even though I have lost a little over 50lbs (198-143ish), and I see the difference in my clothes, mentally I still don't see myself as THAT much smaller. I don't know what it is. I know everyone says it takes time, so that is what I am going to give it...time. The one thing that just bothers the heck out of me is my stomach. I don't know if anyone else experiences this, but in my "relax" natural state my stomach is huge. It's not so mach that it looks bloated, but more like a 3-4 month pregnant lady belly. It is really irritating that I have to suck my stomach in all the time to even achieve a somewhat non-bulbous profile look :( I know my abdominal muscles are weak, so that might be what is causing my stomach to hang out so far...my intenstines want to escape through my belly button, yipeee!! lol. Anyway it would be nice to hear from anyone else experiencing this, or if they overcame this and what they did.
To show you what I am talking about...here it goes: 

 Front view:
2q0q2b6.jpg
 
Side view (tummy sucked in):
nmyiyo.jpg
 
Side view (relaxed!)
2568ois.jpg

Replies

  • tappytaptap
    tappytaptap Posts: 46
    i have a similar issue... i have a feeling fat leaves last from the places you most want to lose it =/ .. just hang in there, stick to your diet and throw some crunches in too
  • crazymama2two
    crazymama2two Posts: 867
    STOP IT!!!! you are beautiful. id kill for that belly - damn C section LOL and being pregnant twice i have to tell you, you do not look pregnant...you are absolutely gorgeous!! good job on your weight loss!!! thats a terrific number!!
  • JennLifts
    JennLifts Posts: 1,913 Member
    I'd keep tabs on your thoughts, they can cause a lot of problems. It happened to me.
  • lruff1987
    lruff1987 Posts: 263 Member
    Well first... you are beautiful and your belly is beautiful! You're too hard on yourself (just like the rest of us). But I can relate because, while I don't share your specific belly issue, I definitely have my own belly issues. My stomach cuts in in the middle... so no matter how much weight I lose, I don't have a flat belly. It is such an emotional and mental hardship! I don't think a lot of people understand what it's like to just want a flat belly and not have it after losing 40-50 pounds! But I understand!! And now I know you understand!! It's all psychological... beauty really DOES come from within because if you don't feel it within yourself... you'll never see it on the outside.
  • steacher24
    steacher24 Posts: 40
    Do Jillian Michael's No More Trouble Zones. Lots of ab work!
  • jae6704
    jae6704 Posts: 458 Member
    I have this issue too. I had a C section 6 years ago and just let myself go. If I relax my tummy and not pay attentions to standing up straight I get asked when I am due. It stinks. But hey it is one day at a time and you look great.
  • CricketKate
    CricketKate Posts: 3,657 Member
    My baby is almost 2 and I've got the same problem. After having 4 children, it doesn't seem to matter how much I work it. It may feel hard and tight when you push on it, but it definately doesn't look tight.
  • edryer123
    edryer123 Posts: 502 Member
    Jillian's 6week 6pack! i have the same issue with my belly. even when I was thin because my abs area serious weak. But you look fantastic. I have been doing that video for a week and I have already see my belly starting to flatten out.
  • prila13
    prila13 Posts: 222 Member
    I too have a similar problem. I was cursed with my dad's body shape, blah. So... no matter what I do, I constantly have a small muffin top and "love handles". (My fiance says they're cute but of course he better say that,LOL) I went out and bought a stability(exercise) ball after talking to several of my army friends. That's how they keep their abs in shape. And, I have to tell you... it seems to be working. Ever since I've bought it, I try to do 1-2 mins of crunches on it per day. And, I've lost 2 inches in my ab area.

    The brand I bought was a Gold's Gym. Also, make sure you get the proper cm around for your height. I have a 55cm because I'm under 5'3.

    It seems to be working for me. It may work for you.
  • ajbeans
    ajbeans Posts: 2,857 Member
    That's always been my problem too. I don't dig the fake-pregnancy look, but I rocked it for years. :laugh: In the past month I've been doing a loooooot of core work -- reverse crunches, straight-arm planks, bent-arm side planks, etc. -- and it's been helping. I mean, if I completely relax my belly it still pooches out too, but strengthening those muscles means that I now tighten them subconsciously (hence the difference in my pics that I posted yesterday). AND, when I completely relax my belly now, it's actually uncomfortable. I feel more comfortable when I'm maintaining that little bit of tension.

    I realized a while back that people with good posture and nice flat tummies are constantly working on it. The back muscles have to remain slightly tensed, and so do the abs. Those people *could* walk around slumpy and dumpy, but because they've conditioned their muscles, they can maintain that tension without thinking about it. That's the point we need to get to.
  • mlb929
    mlb929 Posts: 1,974 Member
    For women the belly is the hardest part. I believe in thinking outside of the box. If you are on birth control pills, it is harder to build muscle and the belly fat lingers. Stress and cortisol levels play a large part in belly fat and so do estrogen levels. I'd suggest finding a Dr. that does salvia hormone testing and balance your hormones. Also have your thyroid checked, these are all belly fat builders.
  • Scidoc
    Scidoc Posts: 106 Member
    Thanks everyone for your comments, compliments and sincerity in your concerns :)

    Looks like its time to work the core more.
This discussion has been closed.

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