Woman Belly...

CrystalFlury
CrystalFlury Posts: 400 Member
edited November 11 in Success Stories
Ok, I've been consistently losing weight on MFP since August 2011. I started at 182 lbs. and had my original goal weight being 140, now my goal is 135. I'm now happy to say I've made it into the 140s (147) however I have a complaint. I thought for sure I would have less of a belly by the time I hit the 140s. I don't.

I'm one of those people who holds weight in the midsection like crazy. And to make matters worse I have what I can describe as being the sloppy looking belly! The fat partially collects over my belly button and makes my belly button look sad and closed. I know this might sound too graphic. I doubt anyone knows what I'm talking about unless they've had it or seen it. Anyway, I've consistently checked back on the success stories boards and have yet to find any woman post a picture of their belly that looks similar to mine. I want to know what does my belly turn into once it's flat!? At what weight will it become flatter where my navel looks like a circle and not impeded by excess fat!!??

All I'm asking is is there anyone else out there with belly problems like this? Every woman I've seen post pictures of themselves--even at a higher weight than 140 have had slightly rounded or flat bellies and all of them have the symmetrical navel area.

Just as an added tidbit; I measure myself every two weeks and find it odd that my around the navel waist measurement is 37 inches and when I looked it up apparently I'm considered "obese" with that kind of measurement! I've lost 35 lbs. now! Ugh!

Here is my strand of progress pictures. I take pictures every ten pounds lost so the last taken was at 152. I'm now 147.

6775343940_f43fd2f428.jpg
My Fitness Pal by BlauKristall, on Flickr
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Replies

  • sc1572
    sc1572 Posts: 2,309 Member
    BUMP! I've gone from 160 to 124 and my belly is constantly the same! >:(
  • CrystalFlury
    CrystalFlury Posts: 400 Member
    I'm tempted to post a picture but I was kind of waiting to do that when I hit my goal. :-/
  • Dayna154
    Dayna154 Posts: 910 Member
    bump
  • tequila09
    tequila09 Posts: 764 Member
    I have a poochy belly that's where I hold most of my fat and on my thighs.. I've just started working out though so I'm hoping to get toned up. Have you tried lifting weights?
  • tequila09
    tequila09 Posts: 764 Member
    I'm tempted to post a picture but I was kind of waiting to do that when I hit my goal. :-/

    It could be the before!!
  • CrystalFlury
    CrystalFlury Posts: 400 Member
    I have a poochy belly that's where I hold most of my fat and on my thighs.. I've just started working out though so I'm hoping to get toned up. Have you tried lifting weights?

    Yup, I do strength, cardio, abs... nothing has really fixed my issue. Yeah, I've become visibly smaller but it still holds the same shape. If that makes sense...
  • CrystalFlury
    CrystalFlury Posts: 400 Member
    I'll just go ahead and post my progress pictures... brb
  • tequila09
    tequila09 Posts: 764 Member
    I know what you mean the smallest I got to was 141 and I still had the same belly, I lost inches but still had a belly. I didn't lose the weight healthy or exercise so this time I'm hoping it goes down with weight lifting :/
  • phy40
    phy40 Posts: 260 Member
    Start by lying on your back on an exercise mat or carpet. Bend your knees so your feet are flat on the mat. Squeeze your gluteal muscles ...I have the same problem. Best wishes!
  • phy40
    phy40 Posts: 260 Member
    Jumping rope and jumping jacks are good ways to move the belly fat also.
  • jacquelyn_erika
    jacquelyn_erika Posts: 524 Member
    I am interested to see the answers to this. Your story sounds just like mine. I started out about 16 pounds heavier, but you and I are currently at the same weight and I have the sad bellybutton, too. It's depressing :/
  • Werglum
    Werglum Posts: 378 Member
    Bump
  • shaycat
    shaycat Posts: 980
    I also hold all my weight in my stomach.
    I now weigh 119 lbs and still dont have a flat stomach! I need to be working on it all the time and eating no sugar or be 113lbs for it to be flat.
    I do some workouts that really seem to help. Jillan's 6 week 6 pack. Billy Blanks Insane abs. Zumba abs.
  • psiren28
    psiren28 Posts: 530 Member
    I hear ya! I'm exactly the same. I've lost 60lbs, dropped 4 dress sizes and look quite slim but the belly is still flabby and hangs over. I think I'm stuck with it :sad:
  • kspoon5
    kspoon5 Posts: 239 Member
    I will have the same outcome and in the past I have had too much focus on it and it caused me to quit. Everything I have read says you can't correct the stomach without cardio cardio cardio so I guess I will see I have about 23 lbs to go .... and I am not quitting this time !
  • MonDeee
    MonDeee Posts: 37 Member
    I think the "sad belly button" is totally genetic. Both my father an I have this, no matter what weight.
    For reducing belly fat specifically, it may be your diet. Do you eat a lot of wheat or sugar? As soon as you cut those down you should see a flatter belly.
  • CrystalFlury
    CrystalFlury Posts: 400 Member
    Bump!
  • dlperry65
    dlperry65 Posts: 83
    Lost 30+ pounds a few years ago and the belly got smaller but was still very much there. This time around have been taking fish oil with DHA. Happy to report the belly is flatter. Am taking the fish oil to reduce cholesterol but the loss of the belly fat has been a wonderful side affect! Good luck.
  • cspark1982
    cspark1982 Posts: 30
    I'm no help but I hope you can sort it out and 'fix' it
  • xosmsox
    xosmsox Posts: 119
    I wish I had some helpful advice, unfortunately I'm in the same boat as you! My lower belly is so flabby ): but I have to add that your progress pica are incredible! You look wonderful, frowning belly button or not y ou are looking sexy girl! Congratulations on a incredible achievement
  • hatravers
    hatravers Posts: 159 Member
    bump
  • cindycoley19
    cindycoley19 Posts: 39 Member
    I had a "flat belly" friend tell me years ago, after 3 childbirths, she did 100 situps a night to get the flat belly back. Not sure if it works for everyone...Have never been consistent with any exercise until the last 30 days. But Kudos to you, you look great! looks to me like the mid section is dwindling away! Keep up the good work! Any tips, please pass my way. I have a long way to go.
  • GrammyM
    GrammyM Posts: 40 Member
    It can be a symptom of metabolic syndrome and/or insulin resistance. Once I got my blood glucose under control I went from 36 inch waist to 30. MUFA's, flax seed oil also seem to help. I highly recommend the Abs Diet for Women by David Zinczenko. Lot's of good science behind it.
  • drift
    drift Posts: 143 Member
    Pilates worked for me
  • sacha1977
    sacha1977 Posts: 26
    Everyone is critical about some part of there body. If you was happy with this, I'm sure you would have something else you would be unhappy with.
    You look great in your photos. Sexy and curvy.
    There is nothing you can really do that would rectify this, so embrace your body and start loving it and being proud of the changes you've made.
    I know when I got down to 9st previously I still had a wobberly belly even though I was going to the gym 5 days a week and doing a ridiculous amount of work on my abs, it just wouldn't change due to the amount of weight I had lost
    You are gorgeous
    xx
  • HeidiMightyRawr
    HeidiMightyRawr Posts: 3,343 Member
    How quickly did you lose the weight? That can play a big part in how your stomach, and skin in general looks after.

    Since you haven't got that much to lose, I would focus on a small deficit now to lose slowly, and concentrate mainly on strength training, heavy compound exercises (heavy is relative so you do what you can do, but usually 8-10 is the top rep range) They work the core so much better than ab exercises (from personal experience)
  • dvcab
    dvcab Posts: 78
    i have the same problem my gym told me cardio cardio cardio with some ab excercises mixed in ..im trying hard and hopefully i will see a change. it is apparently the last fat to move and the hardest. but i think i may get some fish oil now and cross my fingers it will help..ps you look fantastic
  • 1Timothy4v8
    1Timothy4v8 Posts: 503 Member
    Palaties! I am telling you that work out is incredable!!! I lost so much belly fat (before) with that, I had a strong tummy and pretty flattened tummy considering I was still very much over weight 220 to be exact, here is a pic

    smaltumtum-1.jpg


    See everything else is pretty big but my belly is pulled in nicely considering my size, I owed it all to Palities, I know cause this time around my tummy got HUGE!!!! cause I stopped doing it,

    I used to use Ana Cabon cardio Palities, it targets the tummy and gives it lean muscles, DOnt listen to any body you can achieve what your heart desires you just goto know how my dear =)
  • LauraSmyth28
    LauraSmyth28 Posts: 399 Member
    I've gone from 168lbs to 145lbs and my belly is exactly the same.

    Nothing works. I just carry all of my weight there. I've always had skinny arms and legs even at 168lbs.

    Have you children op? My belly has never been the same since I had my first age 19, and now I have two....well I will never wear a bikini again put it that way.
  • paigemarie93
    paigemarie93 Posts: 778 Member
    I have the same, my my belly holds all of my fat, paired with the stretch marks I look like I've had kids.
    My belly button has the sad looking thing going on too :(
This discussion has been closed.

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