To think there must be a way to shift lower belly in your 40s?

[obser]

So historically I’m a size 8 to 10 with minimal effort on my part. I don’t drink and am not that into sugary things like cake but I have generally been able to eat what I want without putting on weight.

Here I am in my mid forties and I’m still not overweight according to the scales. But I have a wodge of abdominal fat, more lower than mid that is distorting in terms of clothes and that’s the main reason I want to shift it. For example I tried on trousers the other day where the smaller size fits everywhere except the waistband and on the larger size the waistband closes but they’re huge everywhere else. This happens ALL the time and I’m down to about two pairs of trousers that fit. I have no issue getting any other clothes to fit just this constant waistband issue.

AIBU to think there must be a way to target this? Do I need to go on an actual diet? Some kind of abdominal exercises? Has anyone managed this?

The only way to have targeted fat removal is to have it sucked out. Diet and exercise can decrease fat overall, not a specific area. You can try and tone the area under the fat, which can help a little.

Just following as I have a similar problem… I have put on about 5kg which in theory explains it. Unfortunately it is almost all around my lower abdomen.

Hoping some clever people will be able to help.

I had the same thing but mid 40s and was peri menopausal.

Weighed the same but shape had changed

Gave up bread for a start and thinking about I also cut down on portions

Yes I’m definitely perimenopausal and I think that’s part of it as this was never a problem before.

There’s also a financial implication as I have multiple pairs of trousers in the wardrobe that I can’t wear. Although I haven’t been able to find any in the shops that fit me either.

Try intermittent fasting. It did zap my belly fat rather quick.

I found i needed to change the style of trousers and jeans and am now more into high waisted.

Ooh thanks for that! These are the kinds of tips I was hoping for. Was there a particular intermittent fasting schedule that you followed @XenoBitch? And how quick is rather quick

Intermittent fasting, Pilates and Ashtanga helped me( am a bit older than you).

I have done this with jeans @MichaelAndEagle particularly some very stretchy high waisted ones from m&s. But I’ve struggled with smarter work trousers. I’m probably a bit attached to my previous lower waisted style that I was able to wear pre-belly (and pre-pandemic and pre-perimenopause which have probably both contributed)

@obser

Ooh thanks for that! These are the kinds of tips I was hoping for. Was there a particular intermittent fasting schedule that you followed *@XenoBitch*? And how quick is rather quick

I did 16/8, with a 36 hour fast over the weekend. Lost 6lb in the first week. I did notice my belly fat shrinking. If you do any exercise, do it before breaking your fast. Not done it in a while, and I am huge again... but going to start again in the New Year.

Thanks so much. Intermittent fasting might be easier for me than trying to follow some kind of diet plan and I don’t think my diet is that bad in the first place.

There’s no way of targeting fat loss, the only way to lose fat is to restrict your calories so you are in a consistent calorie deficit over several weeks / months.

If you’re already slim in other places and ifs mostly just a podgy belly then you might be lucky that dieting will lead to the fat shifting from there first. But there’s no guarantee.

Ab workouts don’t burn belly fat, they build muscle. But if you have a layer of fat on top it will just make you look bigger.

I’ve heard that belly fat is more about sugar and processed foods so maybe try a clean diet for a month. Whole foods, veggies, lots of water and limit processed sugars

Yes as xenobitch says, fasting shifted it for me and I'm similar to you in that I've been an 8/10 forever minimal effort but the tummy has become a 40s peri thing!

Out of curiosity I joined in with my husbands intermittent fasting efforts last year and after a few weeks my tummy looked like it did pre kids! Hasn't lasted though as I couldn't be arsed to keep it up!

@obser

Thanks so much. Intermittent fasting might be easier for me than trying to follow some kind of diet plan and I don’t think my diet is that bad in the first place.

Intermittent fasting will only lead to weight loss if it involves a calorie deficit. It’s not a magic cure.

You can eat one meal a day at 3000 calories but you won’t lose weight. Alternatively you can eat 1800 cals spread across 8 small snacks and meals and you will lose weight.

The fundamental science behind fat loss is consuming less calories than you burn. There’s literally no other answer.

Fasting may speed it up though, I liked it personally. But it’s still a restricted diet calorie wise

Thanks for all the advice. I think I need to reduce carbs majorly and look at intermittent fasting and see if that helps.

Yes I also recommend intermittent fasting (I do 16:8) and reducing carbs, has worked really well for me…admittedly over Christmas I’ve had a wee break from it but will be easy enough to get back to it once I’m back to work

Back in July I dropped a stone and it took away my belly! I'm 5'7 and weighed 10 stone 2 and then at the beginning of December I weighed 9 stone 2 and my tummy was so much flatter!

I always thought nothing would work but I strictly calorie counted and power walked 30 mins a day. I reduced alcohol too.

This December I know I've put weight on (biscuits in school and too much work to walk) but in January I'm going right back on it again!

It was worth it as it seemed to reset my metabolism so once I got to October I stopped calorie counting but stayed the same weight.

Good luck and hope you find something that works for you

Oh I also only ate between the hours of 11 and 7 too (well not always but most of the time)

@obser

Thanks for all the advice. I think I need to reduce carbs majorly and look at intermittent fasting and see if that helps.

Good luck!

Carbs are not the enemy…. Junk is

l have stick arms and legs and a little pot belly l am quite fond of , as l am in my 50' s, l don' t sweat it, l find buying a bigger top hides it well.

@Jessie75

Carbs are not the enemy…. Junk is

Definitely this Sugar is not good

Is it definitely fat? If you've had it since giving birth, it may be stomach muscle separation making you bulge? If you're not sure you could have a physio appointment to check. Sometimes muscle separation can be improved with exercises, sometimes only surgery (often as part of a tummy tuck) will fix it. I'm actually having the operation myself in a few months time!

Pilates has helped me a lot with this. I'm bigger than you and have always had rubbish abdominal muscles. Put a year of lockdown Pilates has led loads it people telling me I look like I've lost weight, although I haven't.

F!