Is this fat or bloating? (pictures included)

Sharp123321
Sharp123321 Posts: 29 Member
edited May 2016 in Health and Weight Loss
I've posted earlier about at different subject and have a question.
I am around 5'7 and one half and weight about 163-165lbs. My stomach is about
39 inches in circumference.

I am able to suck it in to a circumference of 36-34 inches which makes me question if it is fat or not. Any ideas? Thanks

Scroll down for pics.

Replies

  • vespiquenn
    vespiquenn Posts: 1,455 Member
    It's very unlikely that any of us can really tell you for sure, especially without images. Even though that isn't for sure either. But bloating typically comes and goes. If you have noticed that it is constant, it's more likely fat.
  • Sharp123321
    Sharp123321 Posts: 29 Member
    I can put an image or two
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,404 Member
    Well, you're still a little on the high side at 163-165. Losing ten more pounds to get you into that healthy weight range will make a big difference.
  • Sharp123321
    Sharp123321 Posts: 29 Member
    Not Sucked in(natural):
    3fpsvc02q094.jpg
    u7158a1k9esj.jpg

    Sucked in:
    u4h69vv6lv2x.jpg
    noaflwugsncs.jpg




  • vespiquenn
    vespiquenn Posts: 1,455 Member
    edited May 2016
    Not Sucked in(natural):
    3fpsvc02q094.jpg
    u7158a1k9esj.jpg

    Sucked in:
    u4h69vv6lv2x.jpg
    noaflwugsncs.jpg




    Judging on the pictures, that looks like fat. It's possible there's bloating occurring, but there's definitely fat too.
  • MissusMoon
    MissusMoon Posts: 1,900 Member
    edited May 2016
    That doesn't look like bloat to me. Sucking it in just means your abs contract to a certain level. Unless it comes and goes over a short period of time, it has to be fat.
  • Arathels
    Arathels Posts: 6,883 Member
    Thats belly fat hun. You can fix that with the right diet.
  • campbell3913
    campbell3913 Posts: 64 Member
    Diet and exercise should take care of that.
  • Walter__
    Walter__ Posts: 518 Member
    That's fat
  • 85Cardinals
    85Cardinals Posts: 733 Member
    I vote fat too.
  • Sharp123321
    Sharp123321 Posts: 29 Member
    I'll try to loose it...
  • itsbasschick
    itsbasschick Posts: 1,584 Member
    i have that belly, too - it's fat.
  • Sharp123321
    Sharp123321 Posts: 29 Member
    I thought that it wasn't because I can suck it in...
  • ummijaaz560
    ummijaaz560 Posts: 228 Member
    I have that stomach fat too. Comes with the apple shape I have, all of my fat goes to the stomach. I'm also 163lbs but I'm only 5'3. I've been losing lots of inches from mine through keeping a deficit and lifting heavy weights.
    Some of mine is pregnancy weight but most is golden oreos :D good luck!
  • MissusMoon
    MissusMoon Posts: 1,900 Member
    I thought that it wasn't because I can suck it in...

    Nope, it's your ab muscles doing a temporary thing by contracting, that's it.
  • Acacia_Evers
    Acacia_Evers Posts: 263 Member
    Welcome to the belly pooch club! Bloat is usually a harder, rounder stomach, not quite droopy, and it usually hurts to suck in or touch.
  • Sharp123321
    Sharp123321 Posts: 29 Member
    Any tips on how to get rid of it?
  • Acacia_Evers
    Acacia_Evers Posts: 263 Member
    Consume less calories. That's the only way to get rid of fat. Eat less than you burn.
  • Sharp123321
    Sharp123321 Posts: 29 Member
    I'll try. I snack too much currently.
  • Sharp123321
    Sharp123321 Posts: 29 Member
    Anyone know if this fat would be considered dangerous? I know I am young but in general is this a risk?
  • Acacia_Evers
    Acacia_Evers Posts: 263 Member
    It's always a risk in the fact that it's one of those things that can keep going and going and going until, before you realize it, your weight is out of control. Right now, no, not really. But it's still a better idea to fill out the MFP profile and get started when you want / as soon as you want instead of putting it off until you feel even more in the slumps over it.
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,570 Member
    edited May 2016
    Yep, definitely fat ... if it were bloating, you wouldn't be able to hold it or suck it in like you're going. Bloat is solid. Bloat also goes away in a day or two.

    Get rid of it by eating fewer calories than you burn, and thus losing weight.

    And yes, it can be a health risk.
  • MissusMoon
    MissusMoon Posts: 1,900 Member
    Anyone know if this fat would be considered dangerous? I know I am young but in general is this a risk?

    This is a question best asked of a doctor, honestly.
  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
    Anyone know if this fat would be considered dangerous? I know I am young but in general is this a risk?

    Since you are young and you can grab and hold it, it's not likely you're at any immediate risk. The most dangerous kind of fat the fat that is around the organs which you can't grab. You can't know how much fat you have there without proper imaging, but since you are able to suck in your belly like that and look normal, and since your weight is not too high, you are likely fine on that front. It may become a risk in the future when you are older or if you gain weight, but it's likely not a cause for concern if you start working on it right now.

    I wouldn't worry, and would just concentrate on losing the few extra pounds you have while trying to preserve muscle mass (by losing weight very slowly, eating high protein, and doing some sort of strength training). When you do that, you will see an improvement in your body composition (muscle and fat ratios) and reduce that harmful fat around organs, if any.
  • katie22mfp
    katie22mfp Posts: 386 Member
    Anyone know if this fat would be considered dangerous? I know I am young but in general is this a risk?

    Then nhs recommend women have a belly measurement of 31.5 or less.
  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
    katie22mfp wrote: »
    Anyone know if this fat would be considered dangerous? I know I am young but in general is this a risk?

    Then nhs recommend women have a belly measurement of 31.5 or less.

    At natural waist (slightly above belly button). It appears that she is measuring closer to lower belly.
  • BabyBabt
    BabyBabt Posts: 18 Member
    I'm a snack-a-holic myself. But I replaced junk food with fruits and veggies. It takes some adjusting but you gotta have the desire to change. Sacrifice or belly fat? It's your choice in the end.
  • LivingtheLeanDream
    LivingtheLeanDream Posts: 13,342 Member
    Its fat but when you suck in your tummy it pulls the abs in and gives a sleeker silhouette.
    The tummy fat is the last to go, I'm still working on banishing the remainder of mine, its about eating at slight deficit and for me lifting weights is really helping to flatten it. I haven't had to cut out any food groups.