To think I don't deserve a fat tummy?

[NorhamGardens]

I have a sticky out, 5-6 months pregnant pot belly. It seems to expand during the course of the day?

I run twice a week, do strength training and cardio in the gym another couple of times a week also sit ups, pilates and planks etc.

I've had children and I am (just) over 40.

I haven't eaten chips for 2 years now, same goes for white pasta and biscuits and cakes. Wanted to be more disciplined with my eating and found I couldn't just have a small amount of any of these!

I follow a balanced, VERY healthy diet and don't over eat. Don't drink much alcohol either. I am very controlled.

I am now a bit puzzled about my stomach? My womb tilts backwards but not sure if that has anything to do with anything?

People assume I am pregnant most of the time and I am getting a bit about it now. So does anyone share my pain?

Try cutting out wheat, which can cause bloating.

by the sounds of it you should have a washboard! :o

no idea though, sorry!

Dfinately sounds like connected to something you are eating.... Perhaps cut back on wheat, avoid fizzy diet drinks, make sure you eat some probiotoc yoghurts each day and perhaps take some physillium husks (from somewhere like holland and barratt) and perhaps after month or so of eating like this have a colonic irrigation or similar treatment to help 'clear you out'.... I have ibs and had a colonic a few years ago and it felt great! But make sure you go to a reputable therapist....

Hmm. I don't eat wheat really, I rarely eat bread and I can't think what else would contain wheat?

I do have a couple of v small lattes most days with skimmed milk, which are my main treat and I am not sure I could give up so hope these are not the culprit.

I eat 'clean' most of the time, brown rice, raw veg, salmon etc. I eat like that about 80% of the time. I also am guilty of cracking open the diet cokes when I feel hungry but I know these are v bad for you etc.

Aha! Just saw you said avoid fizzy diet drinks! Can these cause a fat stomach? Because my stomach is fat rather than merely bloated I am afraid. It is the only fat part of me which gives me a strange appearance! Or a pregnant one :).

Is is just your tummy? Is the rest of you slim?

Dairy can also cause bloating (you mentioned the lattes).

Have you been to the GP?

Yes, I've mentioned it whilst at GP for other reasons and had an ultrasound for a medical a while ago. No probs.

I think I store fat there and it has got worse since I've had children. Although I don't have separated muscles (it was checked). It just seems almost impossible to eliminate it?
I end up feeling miserable as I am so strict with food and yet I get asked literally every day about my baby!

Maybe I should try eliminating dairy :(.

wheat is in a hell of alot of things
my best friend is wheat intolerant and its shocking what she has to avoid

Really? How does being wheat intolerant usually present itself? What else contains wheat that you wouldn't suspect? Thanks.

Please don't say white wine, I have a maximum of 3 units a week but I LOVE it!

Ok... Try switching to goats milk, you can get a skimmed version and it takes good- easier to digest...

Also I would avoid the diet drinks for a few weeks, I read somewhere that as well as bloating the sweetner can affect you too - worth a try! Perhaps try cooled green tea?

Also, perhaps change your meals to six small meals a day, regularly spaced so that your body doesn't hold onto 'fat' just in case...

be helpful or lead on to other helpful pages

I dont actually know much about it but she regularly stays with me and since her diagnoses it has been very noticable that she must read labels alot

wheat flour is in alot of things

also gluten may be a problem for you and that is in oats, barley and rye. a whole lot of other things that are in lots of things

You can find wheat free wine....

It may also be candida, to get rid of that you'd have to follow a strict yeast and sugar free diet for at least a month to kill off the yeast - google it for more info....

Thank you, candida could be possible but I only have one or two of the symptoms.

I read something the other day about 'health myths' or some such thing. One was the belief that sit ups give you a flat stomach. The writer of the article said that this is a myth and that actually they give you a pot belly. I can't for the life of me remember why, but it might be worth Googling.

see a nutritional therapist

Water, water and more water. Not drinking enough water can cause water retention and bloating. If you don't like water try diluted juices or herbal teas.

See to remember that the rosemary conley super low fat diet can help you shift the fat in awkward places.

practise holding your stomach in the whole time.

coffee causes fat to deposit itself around the stomach. google coffee, cortisol and weightloss.

Also, not getting enough sleep. Related to the stress hormone cortisol not disappearing over night, due to not enough sleep.

Try substitute your coffee with green tea (no milk and no sugar) and ONLY drink coffee before exercise. Too complicated for me to explain the whole link between all this, but googling should make it clear.

And avoid fizzy drinks too.