Struggle to loose belly fat
clorebecca99
Posts: 7 Member
So I’ve lost around 4 stone and I’m tiny everywhere I’m a size 8 uk which is one of the smallest sizes but for some reason I have a gigantic stomach like I have a tiny waste then just a big pop out belly no matter what I do it doesn’t go down like after 4 stone loss it deffo should of changed abit. I have no idea what’s wrong and I’m really embarrassed by it. It also expands one size whenever I eat I honestly look months pregnant and I don’t know what to do about it. I don’t exercise much will this help? Any advice would be greatly appreciated thankyou.
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Replies
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Running and crunches28
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After eating and drinking throughout the day some stomach extension is normal. I doubt its a gigantic as you think after losing that much weight.
Do you have some loose skin and/or retaining a little more body fat in your stomach area from your weight loss? If so how long have you been maintaining your new weight?
You can consider recomp (its strength training, eating calories to maintain your weight). You can add in a small deficit while doing this process if you want (about 200-250 calorie deficit). For lose skin this take a while for your body to regain elasticity.
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10177803/recomposition-maintaining-weight-while-losing-fat/p1
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1161603/so-you-want-a-nice-stomach/p1
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@RoxieDawn it isn’t loose skin because when I touch my stomach it’s hard so I think it’s just filled with fat and I can’t seem to get rid of it. Do you think if I go on a treadmill 5 days a week for 1 hour it will help10
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clorebecca99 wrote: »@RoxieDawn it isn’t loose skin because when I touch my stomach it’s hard so I think it’s just filled with fat and I can’t seem to get rid of it. Do you think if I go on a treadmill 5 days a week for 1 hour it will help
If you are saying that you have excess fat still on your stomach then the links/advice is what I would consider. Your calorie intake will be the driver on your fat loss, so eat at a very small deficit of appox 250. Unless you conducted muscle sparing during your 4 stone loss you have lost muscle. So you are under muscled while retaining a higher body fat, so you would be wise to add in strength training. A little cardio is fine as well.3 -
Body dysmorphia?5
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clorebecca99 wrote: »@RoxieDawn it isn’t loose skin because when I touch my stomach it’s hard so I think it’s just filled with fat and I can’t seem to get rid of it. Do you think if I go on a treadmill 5 days a week for 1 hour it will help
Fat does not feel hard. It feels squishy. My guess is you need to condition the muscle tissue in that area to tighten it up a bit. I'm also guessing it looks worse to you than to anyone else.
You should find the links RoxieDawn provided helpful.8 -
clorebecca99 wrote: »@RoxieDawn it isn’t loose skin because when I touch my stomach it’s hard so I think it’s just filled with fat and I can’t seem to get rid of it. Do you think if I go on a treadmill 5 days a week for 1 hour it will help
Fat does not feel hard. It feels squishy. My guess is you need to condition the muscle tissue in that area to tighten it up a bit. I'm also guessing it looks worse to you than to anyone else.
You should find the links RoxieDawn provided helpful.
I should have added 'squishy'. Hard stomach to me might mean excess gas as well.5 -
And be very proud of your 4 stone loss.7
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@collectingblues it’s not body dismorphia because when I wear jeans or dresses they stick out loads when they go over my stomach so I’m not just imagining it lol7
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clorebecca99 wrote: »@collectingblues it’s not body dismorphia because when I wear jeans or dresses they stick out loads when they go over my stomach so I’m not just imagining it lol
Not necessarily. You could think that it sticks out loads, while other people would see no such thing. Or you could be wearing a size that's too small for you. That's the biggest driver of the whole muffin top thing...
What are your stats -- height, weight, waist, hips, etc.?6 -
How is your posture?
Strengthening your core and correcting your posture could make a difference.
A pic could help.
Cheers, h.6 -
@collectingblues I usually wear my size 8 or a size bigger size 10 to try and hide my stomach more. It doesn’t look as bad as the front it’s when I turn to the side and you can see it sticking out and looking huge. I’m 5,4 and currently weight 9st 11 so 137lbs I only have abit of weight left to loose everywhere else.4
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Strengthen your core and consider cutting out or reducing alcohol - there are some studies that say that alcohol results in larger fat deposits in the stomach area than other areas. Even if the studies are bogus, reducing alcohol intake will help slash calories overall. I know in me, when I have lost weight in the past, the belly weight is basically the last to go.17
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@thiswillhappen I have never drank alcohol and I’m eating as healthy as I can the only thing is I need to exercise more but other than that I have no idea why it isn’t going down lol I just have 2 twig legs then a 6 month pregnant looking stomach lmao2
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clorebecca99 wrote: »@collectingblues I usually wear my size 8 or a size bigger size 10 to try and hide my stomach more. It doesn’t look as bad as the front it’s when I turn to the side and you can see it sticking out and looking huge. I’m 5,4 and currently weight 9st 11 so 137lbs I only have abit of weight left to loose everywhere else.
Good. I understand -- I'm the same way (classic apple), with my arms and legs being tiny, but my waist is where it all goes bad. I was just concerned that you were seeing things that weren't there/were underweight, etc.
Time to recomp, then? I've been told that strength training doesn't spot reduce, because you can't do that, but it could help start to even things out a little more.1 -
clorebecca99 wrote: »@thiswillhappen I have never drank alcohol and I’m eating as healthy as I can the only thing is I need to exercise more but other than that I have no idea why it isn’t going down lol I just have 2 twig legs then a 6 month pregnant looking stomach lmao
have you been checked by a gynocologist to rule out fibroid,or other health issues that can make your stomach bigger than it should be? if you are bloating severely and its followed by pain and other issues then you definitely need to see a dr. but sometimes it takes a LONG time to get rid of belly fat. Ive been on my journey 5 years now and the last little bit of belly fat is just now coming off.I work out too. so it takes time. exercise has nothing to do with fat loss . that happens in a deficit. But take roxiedawns advice. weight training will help change how your body looks.6 -
@collectingblues I think I’m going to go to the gym on Monday and ask for their advice I’ve found a gym and it says they give free meal plan and exercise routine so I’ll give it a go1
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clorebecca99 wrote: »@collectingblues I usually wear my size 8 or a size bigger size 10 to try and hide my stomach more. It doesn’t look as bad as the front it’s when I turn to the side and you can see it sticking out and looking huge. I’m 5,4 and currently weight 9st 11 so 137lbs I only have abit of weight left to loose everywhere else.
So, at 5'4" and 137, you have are at a healthy BMI but could have a little more fat to lose. Also, resistance training will improve your overall body shape. You are likely one of those that store fat at your abdomen first, as many of us do. Small calorie deficit and resistance training and some patience.8 -
CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »clorebecca99 wrote: »@thiswillhappen I have never drank alcohol and I’m eating as healthy as I can the only thing is I need to exercise more but other than that I have no idea why it isn’t going down lol I just have 2 twig legs then a 6 month pregnant looking stomach lmao
have you been checked by a gynocologist to rule out fibroid,or other health issues that can make your stomach bigger than it should be? if you are bloating severely and its followed by pain and other issues then you definitely need to see a dr. but sometimes it takes a LONG time to get rid of belly fat. Ive been on my journey 5 years now and the last little bit of belly fat is just now coming off.I work out too. so it takes time. exercise has nothing to do with fat loss . that happens in a deficit. But take roxiedawns advice. weight training will help change how your body looks.
I was going to suggest the same. If it's hard, that suggests more going on than fat. Either bloating or perhaps a fibroid/cyst. Wouldn't hurt to get checked out.4 -
mom23mangos wrote: »CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »clorebecca99 wrote: »@thiswillhappen I have never drank alcohol and I’m eating as healthy as I can the only thing is I need to exercise more but other than that I have no idea why it isn’t going down lol I just have 2 twig legs then a 6 month pregnant looking stomach lmao
have you been checked by a gynocologist to rule out fibroid,or other health issues that can make your stomach bigger than it should be? if you are bloating severely and its followed by pain and other issues then you definitely need to see a dr. but sometimes it takes a LONG time to get rid of belly fat. Ive been on my journey 5 years now and the last little bit of belly fat is just now coming off.I work out too. so it takes time. exercise has nothing to do with fat loss . that happens in a deficit. But take roxiedawns advice. weight training will help change how your body looks.
I was going to suggest the same. If it's hard, that suggests more going on than fat. Either bloating or perhaps a fibroid/cyst. Wouldn't hurt to get checked out.
yeah my sons gf has something going on with her they just cant find out what. and her belly keeps getting bigger and she isnt pregnant. yet they did blood work and ultrasounds and other exams and they cant figure out what the issue is and for her her periods are every 45 days or longer. shes not a big girl either shes very petite and she looks 9 months pregnant as well. I have a uterine fibroid and it can cause issues from time to time. sometimes it sucks being a woman lol3 -
if its fat and not loose skin, you have more weight to lose and need to stay in a deficit.
crunches and running wont help (shaking head at the woo of that BS)
if its loose skin, time may help, genetics and youth will help more, but it may be the way things are, unless you opt for surgery down the road. Give it a year or two to bounce back and see how it looks.
strength training will help build muscle and 'tone', but again, if its fat, wont do anything other than build muscle or 'tone' under fat.2 -
Cortisol causes belly fat. Reduce stress and that will reduce cortisol. That's a possible cause, though not the only one.
Maybe you need to find some stress reducing actives. I warm bath with soft music and aroma therapy. Yoga. What do you do to unwind ?
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Have you tried cycling off inflammatory foods? Dairy, gluten, etc13
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Predator15 wrote: »Have you tried cycling off inflammatory foods? Dairy, gluten, etc
They're not "inflammatory" unless you have an intolerance/allergy to them.15 -
I've noticed that here (in the US), every magazine near the grocery check-out line has an article (prominently displayed on the cover!) about "how to lose belly fat". Guaranteed to sell magazines, right? I'm about your height and weight and am always concerned about how any weight I gain goes right to the belly. First to gain, and last to lose. Carbs will definitely cause bloat, so it may help to stay away from the sugary kind of carbs. Definitely a good idea to work on core strength, which will help firm the abdomen a bit and improve your posture, balance, etc. Exercise on a consistent basis will be the key to all of this! Good luck!!8
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sbrownallison wrote: »I've noticed that here (in the US), every magazine near the grocery check-out line has an article (prominently displayed on the cover!) about "how to lose belly fat". Guaranteed to sell magazines, right? I'm about your height and weight and am always concerned about how any weight I gain goes right to the belly. First to gain, and last to lose. Carbs will definitely cause bloat, so it may help to stay away from the sugary kind of carbs. Definitely a good idea to work on core strength, which will help firm the abdomen a bit and improve your posture, balance, etc. Exercise on a consistent basis will be the key to all of this! Good luck!!
You lose belly fat just like you lose any other fat - eat less calories than you burn. When and where it comes off your body is dictated by your genetic fat distribution pattern, and the abdomen is often the last place it comes off of. Cutting out carbs/sugar won't change that one bit, unless those carbs/sugars were making you go over your calorie goal in the first place.
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sbrownallison wrote: »Carbs will definitely cause bloat
Nope.6 -
I think it may be a mix of many things that have already been suggested. Maybe you still have a little fat to lose and is all in your stomach + maybe a little of bloating + posture problems (I don't store fat in my stomach only, but it is often accentuated by my posture, so that is a problem!) + maybe you have little or no muscle, and that influence the general look of your stomach.
I agree with those who suggest strenght training (you could do it either if you decide to still lose something, or if you mantein and recomp), and especially focusing on your core and abs. Strenght training may help you to lose fat in general (you cannot choose where you lose your fat, but since you only have it in your belly it will come off of there eventually), but if you focus on the core your belly will look better because it will be more toned up. Check you posture, and if it is really a posture problem strenghtening your core it will help much with that too (but be aware that some abs exercise are not good for that situation).
Finally, if there is some bloating, be aware when it is more prominent, and see if you can link it to something you ate or drank.0 -
clorebecca99 wrote: »@thiswillhappen I have never drank alcohol and I’m eating as healthy as I can the only thing is I need to exercise more but other than that I have no idea why it isn’t going down lol I just have 2 twig legs then a 6 month pregnant looking stomach lmao
Have you been to a GYN recently? I literally do have a 5 month-sized uterus due to uterine fibroids.
Because we do get posters here with body dysmorphia, I'd like to see a picture of your belly.1 -
kshama2001 wrote: »clorebecca99 wrote: »@thiswillhappen I have never drank alcohol and I’m eating as healthy as I can the only thing is I need to exercise more but other than that I have no idea why it isn’t going down lol I just have 2 twig legs then a 6 month pregnant looking stomach lmao
Have you been to a GYN recently? I literally do have a 5 month-sized uterus due to uterine fibroids.
Because we do get posters here with body dysmorphia, I'd like to see a picture of your belly.
I suggested the gyno and that it could be fibroids
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