NO IM NOT PREGNANT!!!!

SHERRYBERRY11
SHERRYBERRY11 Posts: 54 Member
edited October 5 in Health and Weight Loss
MY STOMACH IS WAAAY TOO BIG FOR MY BODY!!! I ALWAYS LOOK LIKE IM PREGNANT & NO IM NOT SMALL, BUT EVEN WHEN I WAS MY STOMACH HAS ALWAYS BEEN BIGGER THAN IT SHOULD BE. NOW THAT I HAVE HAD 2 KIDS, IM AFRAID THAT EVEN WHEN I REACH MY GOAL OF 140LBS, THAT MY STOMACH MAY STILL BE OUT THERE. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO TO HELP WITH THAT AREA??? MY MAIN SOURCE OF EXERCISE IS WALKING, CANT REALLY DO SIT UPS BECAUSE THE MUSCLES IN MY STOMACH LOCKS UP AND THE PAIN IS TERRIBLE. ANY ONE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH BEFORE AND AFTER PICS??? PLEASE HELP, THANKS!!!! (JUST SO YOU KNOW, I ALWAYS TYPE IN CAPS...ITS MY THING... :happy: )
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Replies

  • Lyadeia
    Lyadeia Posts: 4,603 Member
    Yeah, I almost didn't make it through the whole post because of the caps...but anyway, just keep doing what you are doing. You can't spot reduce. Just a calorie deficit, some cardio, and some strength training will get you to your goal.
  • TChester_05
    TChester_05 Posts: 83 Member
    Have you considered speaking with a fitness trainer? Most gyms offer them as a part of membership now at least on a trial basis and they might be able to give some tips that dont include sit ups.
  • madubil
    madubil Posts: 131 Member
    So two things- dont worry about what happens at the end- your body wil change alot during this process- and in the end- you're going to be healthier and who knows how your body will surprise and thank you for it... second thing.. we have a group called AWESOME IN CAPS.. you really should join it... I think you'd fit in brilliantly!! ;)
  • abbie017
    abbie017 Posts: 410
    Yeah, I almost didn't make it through the whole post because of the caps...but anyway, just keep doing what you are doing. You can't spot reduce. Just a calorie deficit, some cardio, and some strength training will get you to your goal.

    Agree with all of this...especially with the caps part.
  • Crystal_Pistol
    Crystal_Pistol Posts: 750 Member
    we have a group called AWESOME IN CAPS.. you really should join it... I think you'd fit in brilliantly!! ;)

    I was thinking the same thing!

    OP, I did a 2 month stint of phentermine (the worst possible decision I've ever made in my life!) and it killed my muscle mass and left me with some things I'd never had before- mainly a belly that I really despise. All I (we) can do is do cardio, strength, eat at a defecit, and hope for the best!
  • Crystal_Pistol
    Crystal_Pistol Posts: 750 Member
    To be clear, I'M A MEMBER OF AWESOME IN ALL CAPS AND I LOVE IT. I GOT THROUGH IT BECAUSE WE POST IN ALL CAPS THERE REGULARLY!! :bigsmile:
  • Crystal_Pistol
    Crystal_Pistol Posts: 750 Member
    don't know how it happened, but post duplicated.
  • DixiedoesMFP
    DixiedoesMFP Posts: 935 Member
    Your overall exercise will help reduce you all over, but have you tried planks instead of sit-ups?
  • nakabi
    nakabi Posts: 589 Member
    Yeah, I almost didn't make it through the whole post because of the caps...but anyway, just keep doing what you are doing. You can't spot reduce. Just a calorie deficit, some cardio, and some strength training will get you to your goal.

    Agree with all of this...especially with the caps part.

    lol. I was thinking the same thing.

    But seriously, I would be doing a lot of cardio and strength traning. eg. lifting weights. That will start strengthening your core muscles and will help with your stomach. Something you may want to think of getting is the 30DS; that might help you out :)

    All the best and good luck!
  • darrcn5
    darrcn5 Posts: 495 Member
    Honestly, you don't know what your body is actually going to look like until you lose the weight. I would get to your goal weight and then worry about it. Pilates is great for toning the tummy.
  • amicklin
    amicklin Posts: 452
    I would talk to your doctor and a physical therapist. I know when I was at my heaviest, crunches were difficult because my fluff that covered my abs made it really difficult for me to 'fully' crunch (hopefully that description made sense). Once you lose some of the additional weight, you may find it a bit easier to do the abdominal workouts. I would suggest weight training, if you are able to. When you body is having to balance (as with lunges and different things) the abs are having to work to help maintain the balance.
  • mandemonious
    mandemonious Posts: 217 Member
    I also get that questions way too often. So much so that I have been able to preempt the questions when I see someone look at my stomach and then say, "can I ask you a question?" I used to get really upset about it, but realize that some people are just ignorant....

    Now I just look dead pan in their face and say no, I just carry my extra weight in my stomach. It really throws people off and makes them feel uncomfortable for being such an offensive dumb@ss.

    Overall body fat reduction, good hard cardio, and strength training helps. I also understand that carrying extra weight in the stomach area can be caused by insulin resistance and/or cortisol response in the body. I am not expert, but my research indicates that reducing processed sugars and carbs can help repair that function in your body.

    Hope that's helpful.

    I'm another that is turned off by caps, but at least you are aware that it gets to people :flowerforyou: I think it's awesome that there is a group for that and hope y'all yell at each other all day with your caps lock :tongue:
  • SHERRYBERRY11
    SHERRYBERRY11 Posts: 54 Member
    THANKS FOR ALL THE ADVICE, IT REALLY HELPS!!!! UM, THERE IS A LOT OF FOCUS ON THE CAPS MORE THAN THE TOPICS SOOOOO, HOW DO I BECOME A MEMBER OF THE "AWESOME IN CAPS" GROUP????
  • SeaSiren1
    SeaSiren1 Posts: 242 Member
    Congratulations of taking charge of your health!

    Weight loss of course will make the area smaller. Since you have had children, the muscles can use some strengthening. I would suggest planks to begin, once mastered you may find you can perform other ab exerises. Good Luck!
  • Namaste1983
    Namaste1983 Posts: 603 Member
    I AM THE FOUNDER OF THE AWESOME IN ALL CAPS GROUP..... YOU SHOULD COME TO OUR SIDE... WE HAVE COOKIES AND HONEYBADGERS :)

    AS FOR THE TUMMY, DO YOU HAVE DIGESTIVE PROBLEMS OR IS IT JUST A SOLID HARD TUMMY? MINE WAS BIG BUT IT HAS BECOME MUCH SMALLER. AFTER SWITCHING TO WHOLE GRAIN AND GETTING OFF OF REFINED AND PROCESSED FOODS MY STOMACH WENT DOWN WAY MORE THAN I COULD HAVE IMAGINED. I REMEMBER LOOKING DOWN AND THINKING "WAIT WHAT? HOW IS MY STOMACH SITTING SO FLAT? MY STOMACH WENT DOWN EVEN MORE ONCE I WENT GLUTEN FREE BUT THATS ALSO WHAT GOT MY GOITER IN CHECK. I HAVE THYROID PROBLEMS SO I AVOID GLUTEN AS MY DOCTOR ADVISED.

    I HIGHLY SUGGEST YOU LOOK INTO THE ABS DIET. THAT WAS WHAT GOT ME STARTED ON MY HEALTHY EATING JOURNEY. THERE ARE GUIDES THAT SHOW YOU WHAT FOODS ARE THE BEST AND WHAT FOODS YOU CAN ENJOY IN MODERATION. THEN YOU JUST FINE TUNE THE DIET FORM THERE :)
  • awdhemi
    awdhemi Posts: 99 Member
    Yeah, I almost didn't make it through the whole post because of the caps...but anyway, just keep doing what you are doing. You can't spot reduce. Just a calorie deficit, some cardio, and some strength training will get you to your goal.

    Haha, me too!
  • mandemonious
    mandemonious Posts: 217 Member
    I agree with Namaste. That sounds similar to my understanding, and I have done a ton of research. It's good to hear someone that actually did it that way and noticed big results. I, too am working to eliminate processed sugars and grains (and, yes, sometimes that means most breads).

    I have't gone gluten free yet, but I try since my partner has an allergy. We use a lot of sprouted grain bread and pasta products and that seems to help. Also there are some great breads made with alternate flours like millet and quinoa that are good. Ezekial's and Udi's are two of the brands I use a lot.
  • SHERRYBERRY11
    SHERRYBERRY11 Posts: 54 Member
    I AM THE FOUNDER OF THE AWESOME IN ALL CAPS GROUP..... YOU SHOULD COME TO OUR SIDE... WE HAVE COOKIES AND HONEYBADGERS :)

    AND ONCE AGAIN, HOW DO I JOIN???? :wink:
  • NicLiving
    NicLiving Posts: 261 Member
    There is no way to spot treat one particular area of your body during normal weight loss. You have to do cardio & strength training together to get the best possible results. I'd talk to a doctor about the pain & locking up in your stomach area...that doesn't sound too good. :embarassed:
    CANT REALLY DO SIT UPS BECAUSE THE MUSCLES IN MY STOMACH LOCKS UP AND THE PAIN IS TERRIBLE.
  • Namaste1983
    Namaste1983 Posts: 603 Member
    SENT YOU AN INVITE :)
  • juleseybaby
    juleseybaby Posts: 712 Member
    Now I just look dead pan in their face and say no, I just carry my extra weight in my stomach. It really throws people off and makes them feel uncomfortable for being such an offensive dumb@ss.

    :heart: you lady!!
  • cassblue21
    cassblue21 Posts: 207
    The Zumba abs dvd will help in that area. There arent any crunches or anything, you do it all standing but it will help for sure! And if you drink diet soda that has been linked to belly fat in women. Probably any soda really. Hope you got some advice on here that helps you! I love the support here! Everyone has great advice!
  • leahbea22
    leahbea22 Posts: 37 Member
    Dancing is also a good form of ab exercises. I do the Wii and have noticed a decrease in my stomach size, not huge but I can tell a difference
  • LisaKyle11
    LisaKyle11 Posts: 662 Member
    the all CAPS thing personally makes me crazy..... but

    i wish you the best of luck with your goals. you will get there if you keep at it. it sounds like you are ready to really go for it. :happy:
  • fisherlassie
    fisherlassie Posts: 542 Member
    I used to have cramping too. For me my muscles were just so weak that regular exercises were too much. I started out lying on my bed and tightening up my stomach muscles for a few seconds and then relaxing a few times before I got out of bed in the morning. gradually increasing. Just start slowly. your muscles will respond! Good luck!
  • missikay1970
    missikay1970 Posts: 588 Member
    I WOULD TRY GLUTEN-FREE DIET FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS; IT DID WONDERS FOR ME (SORRY NO PICS)
    IT REALLY TARGETS YOUR MID-SECTION. I LOST 17 LBS. REALLY QUICKLY AND IT WAS MOSTLY IN MY BBS AND ABS AREA.

    THE ALL CAPS DOESN'T BOTHER ME, IN FACT, I PREFER TO TYPE THIS WAY. ESP IF I CAN USE THE FONT "COMIC SANS" IT LOOKS REALLY GOOD IN ALL CAPS AND BOLD. :smile:
  • missjoci
    missjoci Posts: 412 Member
    Your overall exercise will help reduce you all over, but have you tried planks instead of sit-ups?

    I say hold off on situps, I used to have a hard time with them because my back was too tight. Starting out with different types of crunches may activate your abs just enough, but not hurt you or lock up your muscles. Planks are amazing, agreed. They work almost everything. I also agree, personal trainers are the way to go. I've gotten bored with my workouts, I'm planning on getting a few sessions myself. :)

    But also, I still have a tummy at 5'5, 134. Some of us lose the fat there VERY last. I mean granted, some of it goes away, but it's a common place to hold fat. Strong abs help hold it in a bit though (or at least that's what I tell myself). ;)
  • stang_girl88
    stang_girl88 Posts: 234 Member
    I have the belly problem too. Have all my life. I always get the question, "when are you due?" I always say, "Due for what, an oil change?". They usually get it, and if they dont I dont feel so bad because you cant fix stupid :wink:
  • missjoci
    missjoci Posts: 412 Member
    I have the belly problem too. Have all my life. I always get the question, "when are you due?" I always say, "Due for what, an oil change?". They usually get it, and if they dont I dont feel so bad because you cant fix stupid :wink:

    People are jerks, I've been asked by a boss. "So I've noticed you've gained some weight..." She didn't flat out say "are you pregnant," but hinted at the fact that my coworkers thought so. If you don't know the person, don't ask. Plain and simple. If they want you to know they're pregnant they'll make some sort of a comment that makes it clear that they do. People are rude.
  • AnninStPaul
    AnninStPaul Posts: 1,372 Member
    Core work - in the form of multiple types of planks - has done much more for my abs than situps/crunches ever did.
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