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Belly Overhang?

Sunny1007
Sunny1007 Posts: 29 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I'm 22 and have never been pregnant. But, I still have a belly hang or as others call it "mothers apron" it's gotten a little bit smaller as I've lost weight and am now at a weight of 135 at 5'5' which I do want to maintain since I feel going lower would be dangerous for my height. I still have a lot of fat on my hips (41 inches) with the belly hang and can't figure out what to do to get rid of it? Any personal experience? I do eat a clean diet, is it exercise?

Replies

  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    edited April 2016
    It is either fat or it is skewed thinking/seeing. It's hard to tell without seeing a picture. Fat requires either eating in a deficit or eating at maintenance and doing progressive resistance exercise.

    How much weight did you lose?
  • cbihatt
    cbihatt Posts: 319 Member
    shadow2soul wrote: »
    Maybe try recomp.

    I have/had belly hang. Mine is from being really obese and 2 pregnancies (though I think the obese part played a larger roll than the pregnancies). As I lost fat it got smaller. Now it looks to be loose skin with some fat still. I'm 5'4.5" and around 122.3 lbs.
    from:
    q422xbhgh271.jpg

    pipuncgbaqp2.jpg

    To:
    0iuwl2sw48p2.jpg

    Impressive! Way to go on all your hard work!
  • maypark34
    maypark34 Posts: 3 Member
    Check out whether or not your stomach muscles have been torn or if you have diastasis recti ( not exclusively the curse of the mom) and if so maybe alternative exercises would really help target this area - found this on utube though she's a little annoying - it may be helpful http://youtu.be/Ys7mb_PPuqA
  • Sunny1007
    Sunny1007 Posts: 29 Member
    I lost close to 43 lbs.
  • Sunny1007
    Sunny1007 Posts: 29 Member
    jemhh wrote: »
    It is either fat or it is skewed thinking/seeing. It's hard to tell without seeing a picture. Fat requires either eating in a deficit or eating at maintenance and doing progressive resistance exercise.

    How much weight did you lose?

    I've lost close to 43 lbs.
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    You will like the look and shape of your body by doing a progressive weight lifting program.
  • jemhh
    jemhh Posts: 14,261 Member
    Sunny1007 wrote: »
    jemhh wrote: »
    It is either fat or it is skewed thinking/seeing. It's hard to tell without seeing a picture. Fat requires either eating in a deficit or eating at maintenance and doing progressive resistance exercise.

    How much weight did you lose?

    I've lost close to 43 lbs.

    Then I'd suggest eating at maintenance and doing progressive resistance exercise such as bodyweight or calisthenics or lifting weights or a combo. Doing that will help you burn fat and build muscle. Keep in mind that this is a long term project. While that is going on, your skin will continue shrinking. You've lost a good amount of weight but not a huge amount plus you're young. I think you'd be very happy with your results if you do this.

    Good job so far!
  • Aw0627
    Aw0627 Posts: 82 Member
    shadow2soul wrote: »
    Maybe try recomp.

    I have/had belly hang. Mine is from being really obese and 2 pregnancies (though I think the obese part played a larger roll than the pregnancies). As I lost fat it got smaller. Now it looks to be loose skin with some fat still. I'm 5'4.5" and around 122.3 lbs.
    from:
    q422xbhgh271.jpg

    pipuncgbaqp2.jpg

    To:
    0iuwl2sw48p2.jpg

    I know this a year old, but you've given me so much hope, right now my stomach looks like yours did in the 2015 pic, I feel like I'm stuck like this but seeing what you did makes me feel a lot better. I know it's going to take time but hopefully, I will be able to do the same. You look absolutely amazing by the way
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,439 MFP Moderator
    Aw0627 wrote: »
    shadow2soul wrote: »
    Maybe try recomp.

    I have/had belly hang. Mine is from being really obese and 2 pregnancies (though I think the obese part played a larger roll than the pregnancies). As I lost fat it got smaller. Now it looks to be loose skin with some fat still. I'm 5'4.5" and around 122.3 lbs.
    from:
    q422xbhgh271.jpg

    pipuncgbaqp2.jpg

    To:
    0iuwl2sw48p2.jpg

    I know this a year old, but you've given me so much hope, right now my stomach looks like yours did in the 2015 pic, I feel like I'm stuck like this but seeing what you did makes me feel a lot better. I know it's going to take time but hopefully, I will be able to do the same. You look absolutely amazing by the way

    Just too add, body composition is going to play a huge role in this.
  • rnpnick
    rnpnick Posts: 4 Member
    Why would going under 135 be unhealthy? If you are a smaller framed 5'5" with low muscle mass you may have more to lose in order to reduce the overhang. My wife is the same height and has a small frame. She was determined 135 was the magic number but now that she has reached that goal she understands she is not finished.
  • rhtexasgal
    rhtexasgal Posts: 572 Member
    I am 45 years old and 5'5" and got down to 117-120 maintenance for 1.5 years wearing a size 4 pants before I started weight training in addition to my cardio. Now I maintain at 119-125 while still wearing a size 4 pants (for the most part). With the weight training, my shape has changed somewhat which makes some pants fit differently. My belly (which I still have, only smaller) is an issue but my butt has lifted a bit, my calves are shapelier and thighs have thinned out but muscled up. Plus, it's cool seeing a little bit of muscle in my back without fat oozing around my bra!

    I am not sure why you feel that going below 135 while being 5'5" would be dangerous. Right now, I am at the point of having to tweak my diet because that is the only thing left I can change to try and reduce my belly fat. While mine no longer hangs, I still have this pouch/pooch that is maddening. Weight training may be what you need, coupled with a good eating plan.
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