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Am I doing something wrong for my stomach?

BennyInTheMatrix
BennyInTheMatrix Posts: 1 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Okay, so I've been starting to use the app about 8 months ago and it works great. After about 3 months of using it, I lost about 20 pounds, going from 155lbs to 135lbs. Now I'm just trying to maintain it. The problem though, is that while my weight has shrunk, my stomach has stayed basically the same. Maybe it's shrunk a bit, but it still looks pretty big. Like, whenever people complain about having fat folds whenever they sit down, I wish I COULD have folds, but when I sit down all that happens to my stomach is that it expands, like it's bloated or something. It doesn't have folds or anything?

I'm 18 years old, Asian ethnicity and I'm 5''8. My overall workout includes Running on the treadmill for 10 minutes at 7 speed, and using dumbbells. Occasionally, I'll do planks, push ups, and reverse crunches. Although I do work at a fast food joint, I haven't been eating much there, usually only snacking. I do however drink soda, but not too much of it. Usually only a medium cup. When I'm at home, since my mom likes to buy them a lot (I don't want her to waste her money) I usually microwavable foods, usually burritos or some Jimmy Dean's stuff. So, is there something I'm doing that effects the size of my stomach, and how can I make my stomach flatter?

Replies

  • tinkerbellang83
    tinkerbellang83 Posts: 9,158 Member
    Where your loss comes off is down to genetics, you can't spot remove fat.

    Check out this post http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1161603/so-you-want-a-nice-stomach/p1
  • MaddMaestro
    MaddMaestro Posts: 405 Member
    I lost a ton of weight and still have a stomach pooch. I guess some ab exercises could work toning it up a bit, but you may be losing inches without realizing it anyway.
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    edited April 2017
    BennyInTheMatrix wrote: »
    Okay, so I've been starting to use the app about 8 months ago and it works great. After about 3 months of using it, I lost about 20 pounds, going from 155lbs to 135lbs. Now I'm just trying to maintain it. The problem though, is that while my weight has shrunk, my stomach has stayed basically the same. Maybe it's shrunk a bit, but it still looks pretty big. Like, whenever people complain about having fat folds whenever they sit down, I wish I COULD have folds, but when I sit down all that happens to my stomach is that it expands, like it's bloated or something. It doesn't have folds or anything?

    I'm 18 years old, Asian ethnicity and I'm 5''8. My overall workout includes Running on the treadmill for 10 minutes at 7 speed, and using dumbbells. Occasionally, I'll do planks, push ups, and reverse crunches. Although I do work at a fast food joint, I haven't been eating much there, usually only snacking. I do however drink soda, but not too much of it. Usually only a medium cup. When I'm at home, since my mom likes to buy them a lot (I don't want her to waste her money) I usually microwavable foods, usually burritos or some Jimmy Dean's stuff. So, is there something I'm doing that effects the size of my stomach, and how can I make my stomach flatter?

    Most of us have some sort of fold or belly bloat look when sitting down. If you are at an appropriate weight for your height doing some strength training can help tighten your core which will reduce the bloat look.
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    First, it's probable you are being too hard on yourself (you are 19) and striving for a look that's difficult to achieve and/or maintain especially since your stomach seems to be the default place to store the healthy amounts of fat women need.

    Weight lifting will help. I'm not sure what you are doing when you say "dumbells".

    And with the microwave meals, soda and fast food you are probably in taking a lot of sodium. What you are seeing could be a combination of small healthy fat stores and bloating.
  • cbelc2
    cbelc2 Posts: 762 Member
    I started getting a plump belly after menopause. Seems like it is shrinking on my Mediterranean style diet. I'm being strict with it. Years ago Prevention Magazine published a Flat Bely Diet that focused on getting a MUFA (monounsaturated fatty acid) every time you ate. I actually do that with my updated eating plan. So I stopped eating added sugars and refined grains and most processed food. I eat lean chicken and fatty fish, some egg, a little whole grain, nuts, avocado, seeds, beans, lots of vegetables, some fruit, plain fat free yogurt but no milk or cheese. I drink water and black coffee and unsweetened teas. My main oils are avocado oil and extra virgin olive oil. I gave up butter, red meat, processed meat, sweets, white bread and white rice, anything fried. Seriously, though, I think a Mediterranean diet is shrinking my middle-aged belly!
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,438 MFP Moderator
    cbelc2 wrote: »
    I started getting a plump belly after menopause. Seems like it is shrinking on my Mediterranean style diet. I'm being strict with it. Years ago Prevention Magazine published a Flat Bely Diet that focused on getting a MUFA (monounsaturated fatty acid) every time you ate. I actually do that with my updated eating plan. So I stopped eating added sugars and refined grains and most processed food. I eat lean chicken and fatty fish, some egg, a little whole grain, nuts, avocado, seeds, beans, lots of vegetables, some fruit, plain fat free yogurt but no milk or cheese. I drink water and black coffee and unsweetened teas. My main oils are avocado oil and extra virgin olive oil. I gave up butter, red meat, processed meat, sweets, white bread and white rice, anything fried. Seriously, though, I think a Mediterranean diet is shrinking my middle-aged belly!

    To point out, the foods you eat, don't impact your belly fat. Belly fat is driven by a surplus of energy and genetics. You reverse that by losing weight.


    The diet you eat is more for personal adherence. I will say, the Med diet is a very solid one. Lots of highly nutrient dense foods.
  • gamerbabe14
    gamerbabe14 Posts: 876 Member
    I bet your stomach looks great.
  • Paco4gsc
    Paco4gsc Posts: 119 Member
    Honestly, it could just be your body type. I am also Asian descent and about the same height (5'7), and when I was your age (good god I can use that phrase legitimately!), I was also roughly the same weight. At that time, I was pretty fit and athletic and <10% body fat (we got caliper-measured as part of sports physicals for wrestling). Despite all that, I always had the appearance of a belly and never had a visible six-pack.
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