Why is my belly area not going down

UG77 wrote: »

kissedbythesunshine wrote: »

Thanks everyone. I guess it's silly of me to get upset about my belly anyway. The alternative (continuing to gain weight) was certainly not the answer. I'll just keep doing what I'm doing.

And yes, my belly was the first place I started to gain weight in years ago. So I'm guessing it'll just be the last area to go.

It's not silly to get frustrated. If we were complacent we wouldn't have gotten up and started moving.

What everyone else has said is correct about not spot reducing but I didn't see anyone mention visceral fat. This is a fat deposit in your abdominal cavity that hangs out around some of your internal organs, most notably your liver. Your body really loves to hang on to this one so it's going to most likely be the very last thing that gets worked off.

This is the kind that responds really well to exercise, though! So folks shouldn't leave out exercise if they can help it at all.

MommyL2015 wrote: »

bellabonbons wrote: »

For s female, according to the cosmetic surgeon who performed my tummy tuck, you can diet and exercise and never see the success that you would like in your tummy area. I had the cosmetic surgical procedure and I am very pleased with the result. My tummy is flat. Worth the investment to have it done. You will love the results.

That's fabulous for people with money to blow on that. For me, that's a fantasy that will never happen and while it is an option, it's not a realistic one for a lot of people.

My belly is my nemesis. It's the last place I lose and the first place it sticks back on. I will just keep on keepin' on and hope one day it gets a little flatter.

Carlos_421 wrote: »

bellabonbons wrote: »

For s female, according to the cosmetic surgeon who performed my tummy tuck, you can diet and exercise and never see the success that you would like in your tummy area. I had the cosmetic surgical procedure and I am very pleased with the result. My tummy is flat. Worth the investment to have it done. You will love the results.

Of course that's what a cosmetic surgeon would say. They'd go broke if they told everyone that all they have to do is cut calories and stick with it.

For many women dieting and exercise doesn't flatten the ab area and especially after losing weight, and pregnancies there is also muscle damages in need of repair that exercise does not take care of. When I had my abdominalplasty (Tummy Tuck) I went from a size 16 pant size to a 10-12. You are highly misinformed and naive if you actually believe that plastic surgeons lie to be able to perform abdominalplasties. They would lose their hospital privileges immediately and their medical licenses would be revoked.

Christine_72 wrote: »

I've lost weight everywhere, some parts even too much, yet my belly still protrudes like I'm pregnant! There's a pic in my profile that I took a couple of days ago (black pants, red tanktop) that shows what I mean

You don't look pregnant in that photo! I think half the problem is you are turning your upper body towards the mirror but your waist is still facing away. You should feel proud of your progress, I think you look great!

kissedbythesunshine wrote: »

CoffeeNCardio wrote: »

kissedbythesunshine wrote: »

Thanks everyone. I guess it's silly of me to get upset about my belly anyway. The alternative (continuing to gain weight) was certainly not the answer. I'll just keep doing what I'm doing.

And yes, my belly was the first place I started to gain weight in years ago. So I'm guessing it'll just be the last area to go.

No it's not. There's nothing wrong with disliking a part of your body. I'd deck anybody who told me to just like my body the way it is. It's my body, **** off. As long as you can look forward and you're not obsessing over it, it's okay to desire something different. And the best news in the world is that if you still don't like it once you get to goal weight (I bet you will though), you can engage in some strength training to alter it's shape. Lots of options, lots to look forward to:)

Thank you. Once I finally get there it's good to know that strength training may help.

Don't wait! Doing strength training now will help you to look more toned, have better strength, and retain more muscle as you lose weight. Otherwise you are losing fat AND muscle as you lose weight. Everyone on here who lost the weight than started strength training later has said if they could do it all over again they would have started lifting as they lost. I say this as someone who keeps trying to make it a regular habit and failing, but hey, good intentions.

If feel your pain. When I was younger my boobs were the first to go when I lost weight. I didn't have much of a belly. Now it's my stomach that gets bigger first when I gain. I'm going to blame that on menopause and old age. Totally just an opinion. My goal is to lose 22 more pounds, then I'll re-evaluate the belly and see if I need to lose more or if I'm happy with the way I look and feel. Your attitude is good, good luck!

kissedbythesunshine wrote: »

So I've lost about 28lbs so far and I'm so excited about this. I still have around 40 to go give or take before I reach my goal. My problem is I'm losing weight everywhere except my belly area. Even my wedding bands are loose now. While I'm happy with my fingers, breasts, and back fat leaving, I want to start to see some changes in my belly area. Tell me what I need to do differently.

I don't have access to fancy equipment. I usually walk or do exercise dvds for workouts. I'm not expecting a flat belly by no means necessary after carrying 5 children. I just want to start to see changes in that area.

For many, if not most, the belly area is primary fat stores...it's generally first on and last off. I lost a total of 40 Lbs and I didn't seeing my belly go down until I had lost at least 20-25 Lbs...the most dramatic loss of my belly was the last 10 Lbs or so.

diannethegeek wrote: »

kissedbythesunshine wrote: »

blues4miles wrote: »

Christine_72 wrote: »

I've lost weight everywhere, some parts even too much, yet my belly still protrudes like I'm pregnant! There's a pic in my profile that I took a couple of days ago (black pants, red tanktop) that shows what I mean

You don't look pregnant in that photo! I think half the problem is you are turning your upper body towards the mirror but your waist is still facing away. You should feel proud of your progress, I think you look great!

kissedbythesunshine wrote: »

CoffeeNCardio wrote: »

kissedbythesunshine wrote: »

Thanks everyone. I guess it's silly of me to get upset about my belly anyway. The alternative (continuing to gain weight) was certainly not the answer. I'll just keep doing what I'm doing.

And yes, my belly was the first place I started to gain weight in years ago. So I'm guessing it'll just be the last area to go.

No it's not. There's nothing wrong with disliking a part of your body. I'd deck anybody who told me to just like my body the way it is. It's my body, **** off. As long as you can look forward and you're not obsessing over it, it's okay to desire something different. And the best news in the world is that if you still don't like it once you get to goal weight (I bet you will though), you can engage in some strength training to alter it's shape. Lots of options, lots to look forward to:)

Thank you. Once I finally get there it's good to know that strength training may help.

Don't wait! Doing strength training now will help you to look more toned, have better strength, and retain more muscle as you lose weight. Otherwise you are losing fat AND muscle as you lose weight. Everyone on here who lost the weight than started strength training later has said if they could do it all over again they would have started lifting as they lost. I say this as someone who keeps trying to make it a regular habit and failing, but hey, good intentions.

Thanks so much for that advice. I don't have access to a gym so I'm going on Google now to see what strength training exercises I can do at home.

Take a look at body weight exercises. Convict Conditioning and You Are Your Own Gym are two programs that could get you started in the right direction.

I'd also recommend Fitness Blender when/if you want to step up a bit. It's super affordable and you pretty much just need some good dumbbells (I have Powerblocks, they're adjustable so compact). While I'm not into heavy lifting I do love strength training with moderate weights and body weight and I am starting to catch glimpses of the good work happening under the fat!

Congratulations on the 28 pounds, that's huge. Unfortunately, like every one else said, you can't spot reduce fat. I swear I'm going to have a 6 pack before any fat comes off my thighs.
Continue what you are doing, because you're doing great.

cwolfman13 wrote: »

kissedbythesunshine wrote: »

So I've lost about 28lbs so far and I'm so excited about this. I still have around 40 to go give or take before I reach my goal. My problem is I'm losing weight everywhere except my belly area. Even my wedding bands are loose now. While I'm happy with my fingers, breasts, and back fat leaving, I want to start to see some changes in my belly area. Tell me what I need to do differently.

I don't have access to fancy equipment. I usually walk or do exercise dvds for workouts. I'm not expecting a flat belly by no means necessary after carrying 5 children. I just want to start to see changes in that area.

For many, if not most, the belly area is primary fat stores...it's generally first on and last off. I lost a total of 40 Lbs and I didn't seeing my belly go down until I had lost at least 20-25 Lbs...the most dramatic loss of my belly was the last 10 Lbs or so.

I'm holding on to this comment! As I have a little less than 10lbs left to lose.