To wonder why a flat tummy is seen as so desirable....?

[WoodlandHills]

When a lot of the time its almost impossible to maintain post-adolescence really. Not to mention after pregnancy, natural weight fluctuations etc. (I am sure there will be loads of lucky women who DO have one naturally come on this thread to deny this!

I am asking this because I myself would LOVE a flat tummy....have been Shredding for a few weeks now and am getting some good results, but still seem to have a bit of a "mum tum" (sorry for cringey phrase) ....and look at women who DO have a flat tummy with great envy, but OTOH would not want to kill myself with diet and exercise to achieve one. But have not owned one since I was about 14 sadly :o

And also (sorry if this is partly a thread about a thread) there was a thread the other day that ran and ran about a lady who was going to bind her belly after her baby was born in an attempt to get it back to "sexy" flatness ASAP.

Just because something is difficult (or impossible) to achieve doesn't make it less desirable - in fact the opposite can be quite true.

I have no idea what exactly the cultural/biological/whatever reasons are behind us liking a flat tummy is, if that's what you are asking.

But I also wish I had one :)

because it means you can be impregnated, as in you are not already pregnant so impossible to impregnate (anthropology 101)

Personally for me, belly fat is the most dangerous kind, it wraps around your organs, its the highest risk kinda fat! having a bit arse and a flat tummy is much healthier but I gain all my weight out the front. I'm aware how unhealthy this is so strive to get rid of it, I wouldn't say my tummy was totally flat between pregnancies but I did get it close (shred plus clean and lean)

it frustrates the hell out of me that DM and DAunts don't tackle their belly fat, they are all suffering from associated diseases and ailments.

I wonder if it's a youth thing. You've answered your own question really :)

I think you hit the nail on the head in the first sentence. "almost impossible to maintain post-adolescence" Illusions of youth, therefore fertility, health etc.

Does shredding work and where can I get the info? DS goes back to school on Thurs and I shall be thin and toned in time for Christmas!

My brother is a personal trainer and he's always maintained that to get a flat stomach you need to twist the waist during exercise.

Ahhh, I can't explain myself properly but basically he always says to tense your stomach stand with your feet shoulder width apart. Keep your legs dead still but turn to upper part of your body as far round as you can. You should feel it in your waist.

Billy Blanks (youtube him, he's ace) is apparently one of the best for these sorts of exercises.

I should point out I'm not the personal trainer or fitness instructor, he is so I'm just passing on what he's said.

It's probably something to do with human nature...being attracted to healthy/young/energetic looking people.

In the same way I suppose that we don't normally fancy OAPs.

Shred is fantastic but of course you need a healthy diet too, clean and lean is great for belly fat because it cuts out toxins, unlike crappy WW type diets

"we don't normally fancy OAPs."

I wouldnt say its hard to obtain if you maintain your weight and a bit of light exercise.Its desirable for both men and women as its good for your health.

vanessa I concr with him. in my last job we canoed daily and my stomach was, for the first time since I was 13, totally flat. Lots of twisting at the waist woth that.

It just looks nicer than flab. I wish my tummy was flatter too.

Debeez, you can't include botox'ed people in the human nature thing

Looks nicer that my lovely 'pouch'

I want a flat stomach because it looks so much better in clothes.
I will never be completely happy with it though as pregnancy caused the crepe paper effect on my skin.

I wouldnt say its hard to obtain if you maintain your weight and a bit of light exercise.Its desirable for both men and women as its good for your health.

^^ Well I have a good diet and am pretty slim, size 8, and I have slim arms and legs but have had a bit of a tummy since leaving my teens really :(

Worra! Are you suggesting Sir Patrick is anything other than a natural sex demon!?

"we don't normally fancy OAPs."

No hope for me, then!!!!! And there was me thinking I'd worn fairly well!

You sound similar to me OP

A good way to maintain the flatness is to clench your muscles when you're washing up/hoovering/watching TV or even just walking down the road.

It's good for the pelvic floor too if you clench everything

Exercising the tummy muscles and thigh muscles protects the back from stress and pain in later years - so, a flat tummy is good. Keep it going now because otherwise you'll be unlikely to recover it adequately.

Well, it's just there isn't it? We have to look at it. It hangs over our waistbands when we sit down.

If I had to look at my arse all day - I'd probably be more worried about that

I have a flat tummy but bigger thighs which I hate.

Nothing will get ride of the but extra at the tip of my legs

Debeez

Lol OldGrey I meant for example younger people tend not to fancy OAPs

It's the human nature thing

Worra - will I get a flat tummy if I clench my teeth?

MoreCrack I can relate. Bloody wrinkly, hideous skin on my tummy too. HATE it.