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Original poster

Middle aged spread - what to do?

125 replies

radiatordrama · 18/12/2025 13:26

Was just looking at this photo of myself and I am a bit alarmed by this tummy pooch. I'm at a fairly low weight, but I am sure my middle used to be more slender. Or are my clothes unflattering? Should I be doing more core work?

Middle aged spread - what to do?
OP posts:
BackToLurk · 19/12/2025 07:08

If you didn’t have a bit of a belly when you bent forward, when you stood straight you’d rip. Fact.

Moretwirlsandswirls · 19/12/2025 07:38

I think you look great OP. How old are you? I’ve found I’m battling with it around my middle now I’m early 50s. I’ve found Pilates helps. Get strengthening those muscles too. Strong not thin is the way as you get older. Take care and congratulations on your engagement

Augustus40 · 19/12/2025 07:57

I hear intermittent fasting can remove the middle aged spread. Nearly one month in and four pounds down. I a! 62 and my stomach needs a serious sorting out. I changed over to 18 6 this week as 16 8 was going too slow for me. It is surprisingly easy to fa st but I don'tthink the op has a problem at all.

borntobequiet · 19/12/2025 07:59

The tummy is perfectly normal. But you need to rethink your boot choice.

Arghwhattodo · 19/12/2025 08:05

How old are you?

5128gap · 19/12/2025 08:30

Don't wear skirts that fit tightly at the waist and again at the top of the legs because they will cup the lower stomach. Especially don't do this if the skirt is the type of material that will stretch as you sit down as it causes bagging and bulk over the stomach.

Moretwirlsandswirls · 19/12/2025 08:32

The OP has said that she barely eats any carbs and is verging on an eating disorder.

99bottlesofkombucha · 19/12/2025 09:36

Semihiker · 19/12/2025 01:59

You'd be surprised at how few carbs it takes to raise your insulin and convert all that into visceral belly fat. Insulin is the "bully" hormone in your body. It can and will take over if you're not careful.

Show quote history

She literally just said she’s on the cusp of an eating disorder, she’s clearly a slender woman, but you had to come back and comment AGAIN on cutting all carbs. Take a long hike.

YYYDlilah · 19/12/2025 10:08

99bottlesofkombucha · 19/12/2025 09:36

She literally just said she’s on the cusp of an eating disorder, she’s clearly a slender woman, but you had to come back and comment AGAIN on cutting all carbs. Take a long hike.

Show quote history

And you're literally gullible.

lljkk · 19/12/2025 10:18

PandoraSocks · 18/12/2025 14:52

There is something not right about the top of that photo, around the neck area?

the different body parts don't fit together, and that's leaving out size of the male hands.

Original poster
radiatordrama · 19/12/2025 10:26

lljkk · 19/12/2025 10:18

the different body parts don't fit together, and that's leaving out size of the male hands.

Show quote history

What's wrong with his hands????

Based on this comment, apparently I have a freakish body in addition to choosing skirts badly and possibly having a poochy tummy?

OP posts:
Original poster
radiatordrama · 19/12/2025 10:31

Arghwhattodo · 19/12/2025 08:05

How old are you?

45

OP posts:
MummyJ36 · 19/12/2025 11:26

OP wtf is going on. You’re clearly a very thin woman who doesn’t eat much. Are you coming on here to ask other women to give you a confidence boost by saying you don’t have a “pooch” and that you’re skinny? If so, here you go - you're skinny, you’re tiny and you also have a normal female body that surprisingly has the tiniest amount of normal fat around your vital organs.

bloody hell.

Original poster
radiatordrama · 19/12/2025 11:57

MummyJ36 · 19/12/2025 11:26

OP wtf is going on. You’re clearly a very thin woman who doesn’t eat much. Are you coming on here to ask other women to give you a confidence boost by saying you don’t have a “pooch” and that you’re skinny? If so, here you go - you're skinny, you’re tiny and you also have a normal female body that surprisingly has the tiniest amount of normal fat around your vital organs.

bloody hell.

I don't know. I have skinny arms and legs, but now my middle looks relatively wide and squat in these photos and I don't know if there is any way to stop it. Maybe I am howling into the wind about ageing. The idea of changing so much and becoming old after a couple of decades of staying largely the same (adult woman of childbearing age) is very scary.

(Edited slightly due to an incorrect autocorrect)

OP posts:
bridgetreilly · 19/12/2025 12:07

The outfit is not super-flattering, tbh. Boots that are too big, a skirt that hits at an odd length, a very blah sort of top. I really think that is the only issue. You look like you are wearing someone else’s clothes.

mcmooberry · 19/12/2025 12:15

45! You look in your 20s!! Fantastic legs too!

blueshoes · 19/12/2025 12:20

You look like you are wearing someone else’s clothes.

That is because she is.

Calliopespa · 19/12/2025 12:50

5128gap · 19/12/2025 08:30

Don't wear skirts that fit tightly at the waist and again at the top of the legs because they will cup the lower stomach. Especially don't do this if the skirt is the type of material that will stretch as you sit down as it causes bagging and bulk over the stomach.

Yup. It's the skirt that is the issue here op.

It looks as though it has a front zip, which is never a good call in terms of tailoring, and is perhaps one size too small, which is then emphasising the zip issue because it is cupping in under the curve of your belly.

New skirt, job done. Don't obsess beyond that.

Mintine · 19/12/2025 14:10

radiatordrama · 19/12/2025 01:23

I already eat very, very few carbs. I'm probably on the cusp of an eating disorder, maybe leading to this kind of neurosis

Show quote history

You look stunning and like you have a flat stomach, honestly don’t worry, I have a much fatter tummy and I’m middle aged and happy, but would love to get rid of my gunt. I’m so sorry about how you feel, but everyone is looking at the photo and thinking you look great

Mintypanda · 19/12/2025 15:25

Genuinely this looks like a photo of a 20 something fashion model from a catalogue.

By the way OP, everyone has a belly at times - teenagers, middle agers, those with EDs, fitness influencers with 20-packs. It can be hormones, bloating, just how you are standing at the time. Make peace with it.

Dontlletmedownbruce · 19/12/2025 15:51

If you are old enough to call yourself middle aged then you are too old to wear that outfit. Not that I know much about fashion but it looks to me like a very young person's look, 20s or 30s.

xogossipgirlxo · 19/12/2025 15:58

Is this thread a joke? Wtf

Purplewarrior · 19/12/2025 15:58

You are just wearing unflattering clothes.

Don’t fret about it, why do you care so much? It’s just a photo.

gandeysflipflop · 19/12/2025 16:01

JaneJeffer · 18/12/2025 14:25

Who’s that you’re holding hands with Barry?

🤣🤣🤣 brilliant, really made me laugh that did.

Purplewarrior · 19/12/2025 16:02

Oh. I just clicked on the photo properly and can see the Adams Apple others have referred to…

Is this photo actually you OP?