AIBU to ask how to get rid of jelly belly

[Tworoads]

I have three children and the last pregnancy was after I was 40 (was it a factor?). Anyway, youngest is now 5. I am stuck with this flabby horrible belly below my belly button that will not shift. Above there my abdomen is flat. I do all kinds of exercises, run regularly etc. I'm not overweight at all (under 9 stone). Should I just buy some tight pants and forget about it? Well I suppose that's one way! But, maybe I'm just chasing my youth (hahaha) but I would like to get rid of it. I will do ANYTHING except surgery. I figured there must be some other mums on here who have experienced the same thing and might have a few tips!
It's certainly the later pregnancy that did the lasting saggy mess but I wouldn't be without him for the world! Would just like a bit of 'me' back too!
I will try anything!

[Bigpaintinglittlepainting]

I think you could clean up your diet, just protein and veggies so breakfast; eggs and spinach however you want
Lunch ; grains, and protein
Main; veg and protein
You get the picture
I lost a stubborn stone and a half that was sticking but I like cheese too much to stick to it religiously

[Tworoads]

"I’m obese and I’ve given up thinking I’ll ever look nice."
It's a horrible word and very upsetting to see yourself that way. If you look in the mirror, do you just see a few extra pounds and nothing else? You are a kind person to bother to give me advice and I appreciate it very much. I think Roald Dahl would describe you differently:
If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely. (hug from me).
I am pleased that I will not be groaning away to Muru by myself, ladies. I'm going to tackle the lardy old dough around my belly button and see if I can heave it back into some kind of shape.
Good luck everyone xxxx

[Merryoldgoat]

Apparently micro needling can help - some people have done YouTube videos on it.

I have no personal experience as I’m obese and I’ve given up thinking I’ll ever look nice.

[lonel]

You sound like me OP. Mine has actually got worse in the last year going towards the menopause. It's annoying as trousers no longer fit me but my waist is quite trim so I can't size up.

[Gunpowder]

OP I’m a similar height and weight to you and have the same issue. I’m doing Pilates which helps a bit. I also find if I cut down on carbs, especially sugar, it does improve things, but I get too hangry to do that for more than a couple of weeks. My tummy looks better when it’s tanned so any opportunity this summer I’m going to sunbathe in the garden in my bikini and hope the neighbours aren’t looking! I’m going to check out the Mutu system too, I hadn’t heard of that.

[SnackSizeRaisin]

You can tell by doing a sit up. If you see any doming or a triangle shape to your tummy you have DRA. (Although I guess if you are doing lots of work outs you would probably have noticed already...) I think most pregnancies result in a degree of DRA, but for some people it heals easily after birth and others it doesn't

[Letsallscreamatthesistene]

Google Transverse Abdominis exercises. They're the 'deep' core muscles and its almost certainly the cause.

[Tworoads]

I have never considered diastasis rectus abdominis. I suppose I could ask and find out but my last baby was not a big one - only 5lb 7oz - so I didn't think that would cause a strain but maybe it has. I will ask.
Yes I can try swapping out of bread at lunch for something else low carb. That's a good idea.

[Checkingout811]

Drink lots of water too! It makes a huge difference. Can you swap the sandwich for a salad? Or vegetables.

[SnackSizeRaisin]

Do you have diastasis rectus abdominis (or however it's spelt?) Separation of abdominal muscles common after pregnancy. That would explain flabby tummy when you are generally fit. You might need to do specific exercises and or see a physio for advice.

[Tworoads]

Blurpblorp, that almost made me cry! Thank you. And I hope I will always bear that in mind. This is just vanity.
No-one is making me feel ugly or anything. It is just my opinion of myself. I used to have a flat stomach and I'm happy to modify my expectations but...I'd like to do something.
Ladies, I have spent today trying to photograph my profile to show you but I can't bring myself to post it. It's just a white jelly belly and it looks awful. I look like a lower case b in profile. It doesn't hang down. If I put my hands on it, it feels like dough (haha). It's not bloating and the size doesn't change during the day.
Regarding what I eat, I have Ready Brek with milk(no sugar) for breakfast. A handful of almonds mid morning. A sandwich (cheese or egg or tuna) with a piece of fruit for lunch. A main evening meal can be anything from meat and two veg or veggie lasagne or spag bol. No desserts but I have four cans of Guinness over the whole week. I drink maybe three cups of coffee (no sugar) each day and the rest is water.
I run three times a week - anywhere between 5 and 10km. But I don't do enough weights etc. My legs are strong and toned but running doesn't really exercise my abs, I guess.
I will get onto Mutu. I will find the best way to access it and crack on. Thank you for the recommendation. You are all inspirational! I feel that if I can't get a six pack, maybe I'll aim for two! Absolutely no surgery.

[Onairjunkie]

@Checkingout811

Ab wheel, plank, google lower abs exercises. I’ve had 3 DC all by c section and I don’t have any loose skin or the “pouch” that some mums have after a section.
It’s hard work and a lot of it is diet too. Do you eat well?

This is very much the case, unfortunately. In order to prevent postnatal issues, it has to be in hand before and during pregnancy with exercise and a good diet to limit weight gain.

Obviously, genetics play a part, as does amount of fluid around the baby and the size of the baby, which will affect a bump size.

The only thing that can really correct stretched skin is surgery.

[Lassy1945]

Run us though an honest day in terms of exercise and food

[Lassy1945]

Can you somehow post a pic without identifying?

Objective eye could tell you whether looks like fat, bloating, body shape or possibly maybe something to go to gp about

(And probably not too bad at all )

[Blurpblorp]

OP... It sounds to me like you like you need to work on your mind rather than your body. You've had three children, exercise, are very slim, eat right. You don't need to cut out any foods, you need to live your life and be happy with your body. I don't mean this to sound patronising or bleeding obvious, but you have a lovely healthy body that's produced three children and enables you to live your life. Live healthily but otherwise put your energy into cultivating gratitude for your body. The alternative is that you spend your life worrying about a little bit of skin and fat. Is anyone else making you feel this way about that part of your body?

[stuckinarutatwork]

Yes Mutu is absolutely worth it. The exercises are specifically targeted for postnatal abs (you can do more harm than good by attempting some usual ab exercises like sit ups if your muscles have separated at all).
They do quite decent discounts a couple of times a year so maybe sign up for their newsletter if you're not in a rush?
Also, Wendy Powell (Mutu lady) wrote a book years ago called 'Get Your Body Back'. Many of the exercises in it form the basis for Mutu so you could buy this and get an idea if it's right for you. There are some secondhand copies around on Amazon / eBay / World of Books etc for a couple of pounds (I've attached a picture of the book).
Also, Mutu was on DVD about 10+ years ago. Secondhand copies pop up on eBay from time to time. The online subscription is great though - lifetime access even when the programme is added to / updated.

[Tworoads]

Thank you everyone for giving me something to try. I've been hula hooping but, apart from enjoying it, it's not touching the jelly bit.
There's not much to see on the Mutu system. It's a closely guarded secret. Is it worth the £99?
Surgery is out. I am 8 stone 9 pounds and 5 feet 6 tall. Doctors keep telling me that I ought to weigh closer to 10 stone! I've always been this weight but haven't had the pouch. If I weigh less, I look ill so no plans to lose weight but very happy to skip bread and so many carbs. Will look for a good eating programme.
I'm going to do this because I hate looking at my belly. It's not just skin. There is a bit more substance to it.
I will google the lower ab exercises some more.
What exercises do you all do?

[Fembot123]

If it’s skin there’s not much you can do, I do a lot of martial arts based workouts which really strengthen the obliques and seem to pull the lower abs back up too.

[CornishGem1975]

If you find out, let me know!

[AliceAbsolum]

Is it fat or skin?

[PandemicPalava]

If it's any consolation my mums went away after a decade. Slowly slowly and it tightened up. She's 60 now and doesn't have it but I remember her tummy hanging like curtains when I was little

[Dreambigger]

You can get rid of most of it ime but it takes loads of work and dieting. I eventually got rid of it by running and getting down to quite a low weight for me (9 stone ) i think its the last place that the weight sticks to so unless you can really get your weight down it just sticks there (and wants to come back again ... so its a full time job keeping it off!) But its worth it as now everything fits!!!

[Checkingout811]

Ab wheel, plank, google lower abs exercises. I’ve had 3 DC all by c section and I don’t have any loose skin or the “pouch” that some mums have after a section.
It’s hard work and a lot of it is diet too. Do you eat well?

[stuckinarutatwork]

Specific postnatal exercises like the Mutu system can help with this (it doesn't matter that you've not recently had a baby!).

[19lottie82]

I don’t think there’s much you can do (except surgery) tbh. It’s totally normal after 3 kids. Sorry I’ve not been much help!