To think I'll never get rid of belly fat put on after 30? Does ANYTHING work?!!

[Valeriana87]

I'm really down about my belly. I look pregnant and dreading summer clothes. I think there are a few issues going on. I have some diastasis recti, but I've had that for 16 years since eldest born, so it's not all caused by that. I now have a layer of fat on top of that. It appeared when I hit 30 (metabolism? change to where fat goes on?). I have mild PCOS. Also, bloating which gets worse throughout the day. Also I'm 5ft 1 so it looks worse on me.

If you managed to reduce your belly without exercise (can't cause of DR) - HOW DID YOU DO IT?!

I'm wanting to start getting ready for the summer by at least attempting to reduce it by a little.

My BMI is 24 and I don't want to lose more than half a stone, it's just the belly.

Is it true you can't 'spot reduce' fat? Am i resigned to tent dresses?

When you say you can't do exercise, does that include walking?
Can you give us more info on what you eat, like an average day of your food and drink?

I reduced mine by having gastric issues which severely affected how much I could eat / wanted to eat. I'm sorry to say it, but if exercise is out, it really does come down to how much you eat.

This was me after my last. Slimming world worked for me :)

yeah unfortunately you cant "spot reduce " fat

When i put on weight, it mostly goes on my hips and belly. To get it off, i watch what i eat and exercise. The best thing would be to find out what your calorie intake would be and reduce it by a couple hundred to get into a deficit ( i usually do 500). Doing this alone should see results but topping it off with exercise, will help greatly

keto diet.

Cutting carbs really sorts this out for me, but I don't think it's a very healthy way to live...

Pilates classes at least three time a week - perfect for toning and core strength.

There are loads of diastasis recti safe exercises and some exercises that help close the gap. Have you tried any? There are loads on YouTube. Also I've been recommended the book Lose Your Mummy Tummy which helps with that. I've bought it but haven't looked at it. I had DR with my last baby but closed it. I've just had another but have barely any separation this time.

Have you tried a weighted hula hoop?

@Grinnypiggy Oh no, I can do walking and stuff. I walk quite a lot, at least 3 miles most days as walk DC to and from school. I meant stuff like sit ups and most 'abdomen toning' or 'core' type exercises are out cause of the DR.
For breakfast today I had 2 eggs on one slice of toast.
Lunch I'll have just a salad a salad with olive oil dressing and feta cheese
Dinner can be varied. Tonight chicken, brown rice and salad. Not a huge portion.
I only drink tea or water during the day.
However I do drink too much wine. 3 bottles a week. Maybe I can't get away with that anymore? I also have a weakness for crisps and cheese! Do eat chocolate but tiny amount and not often.
I don't put on any weight with eating how I do. When i was 30 I put on about 4lbs and it's remained stable weight ever since (I'm 34). But it went right onto my belly.

@AnotherPoster I'm sorry you have gastric issues.

Give up the booze! Works a treat and you feel amazing for it

Sounds like you aren’t eating enough and drinking too much. Wine is awful for belly fat

Cut down on carbs/high sugar, and get rid of the booze. It really shifts my belly fat. Whenever I have a period of lazy carb eating (you know what I mean- straight to the toaster for breakfast, crap sandwich for lunch) and regularly drinking wine, it goes straight to my belly. Straight off again once I stop. In fact, I’m in a lazy carb and booze rut right now, and I could do with cutting down.

I don't need to lose weight though. When I lose weight - like when I had covid recently - the belly fat stubbornly remains . It comes off my thighs and arms, then bum. Never belly.

I had thought of low carb or keto. It sounds a bit scary though. Can you still get enough nutrients? Does it stress your body? How do you mean an unhealthy way to live?

I have tried the DR safe exercises on youtube. I do them about 4 times a week for about the last year. Doesn't seem to do anything. Maybe my core muscles are too wrecked. I have no strength in them to the point I can't even partially sit up from lying down.

Is pilates safe for DR? I will look into it. Maybe toning the obliques in a safe way would help.

Look up the Mutu programme will help your core to heal

Might try weighted hula hoop.

@FidoRido Wow, cutting out carbs and wine would be really difficult, but I'll do it if it works! How long does it take to work for you please?

You can easily get enough nutrients if you just cut down on booze and reduce your carbs. It’s not scary at all! I personally have never needed to go full Keto to shift belly fat - just less bread, potatoes, rice and no booze.

Oh sorry I cross posted.

Not long at all. I think firstly the bloating stops almost immediately so you see a difference straightaway which is very nice! And then I tend to lose enough over a couple of weeks.

What about swimming? That gives full body toning and is great for core.

Reducing carbs helps me to lose off my belly, I'm apple shaped and noticed a huge difference when I went low carb and lost a load of weight, unfortunately my cake problem resurfaced and the belly is back but I'm on it and it's disappearing again 😂

@FidoRido
Thanks. I guess I've been lazy and stressed and in a rut, reaching for the easy carbs and nightcap wine, and thinking oh cutting them out probably wouldn't make much difference anyway.. But if I know something works for others .. I'll definitely give it a go. No pain no gain!

Also will try look for more DR safe exercises.

I definitely bloat with wheat. So will cut that to absolute minimum, but rice etc are still carbs so I will cut them too and look up alternatives.

Pilates is great, just make sure you tell the instructor about your DR so they can modify exercises for you if necessary. I think you'd benefit from an in-person class so your form can be checked and make sure you're not inadvertently making things worse.

Cutting out alcohol definitely helps. My DH was 90kg a few months ago at his work medical. He's barely touched beer/alcohol in general over the last couple of months and he's dropped at least 15kg and it's most noticeable around his middle.

Thanks. I see what you mean about the correct form thing. Me and my daughter (16) do some exercise videos on youtube, and I really notice that her form is way better than mine. I think it's cause I've no core strength so my arms and legs overcompensate and I'm wobbling about off balance, whilst she's like a ballerina!!

@FidoRido easiest way is just to replace sides with non-starchy veg so instead of steak and chips have steak and asparagus/broccoli/cauliflower/baby corn/mushrooms.

Roasted green beans or broccoli with a bit of olive oil and garlic is delicious.

If you like runny egg use asparagus for dipping instead of toast or go for a rye bread over white bread.