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?

My ex stopped drinking last year cause he got gout. His belly has gone a bit, but the difference in his face is considerable. He had a really round face and now it's disappeared. I am going to have to give it up too. Sadly it does seem to be part of the problem for me.

I'm so short that every little on the belly really shows.

Hi OP,

It's such a pain, isn't it.

Over the last 4 months, I've joined a ladies-only gym that runs strength classes that are adaptable to a myriad of injuries & conditions - there isn't one woman in the class that isn't working around something.

That, combined with eating much more protein and swapping out wine for Gin & Slimline tonic, has made a massive difference all over, but especially waist and midriff.

They also have a Inbody analysis machine, which analyses your body composition so you can really see where your fat is, inside too.

It's been an eye opener to look at the changes week by week, Ive gained muscle and lost fat, which is addictive to see.

Honestly the only thing that will really make a difference to a flabby belly (if not diet) is working your core muscles.

Are you on antidepressants at all? I was on Mirtzapine and gained 10lbs of belly fat in about 3 months. I was slim everywhere except my belly and bum.

Stopped taking the pills (under medical supervision) and the belly fat disappeared quickly.

I had the same, I'm slim but I constantly looked bloated and pregnant. Loosing weight never helped. Turns out I was coeliac. Is this something you've been tested for?

Only thing that worked for me was a tummy tuck

Low carb. Leads to constipation though.

For the DR, could you afford to see a women’s physio? Mine was picked up by one I saw for pelvic issues. Initial appointment about £60 (SE England). She gave me various exercises, some of which targeted the DR, and that did make a bit of a difference. Would really recommend it if you can afford it. They would also make sure you were doing the exercises properly.

@HeadToToesNo My core is spectacularly bad, but I don't know how to safely exercise it with a DR.

@throwawayafteruse No not on any. My GP keeps trying to get me to take Mirtazipine for my PTSD because I can't take SSRIs, but my dad takes it and he's put on 4 stone!

@tinyt137 I've never been tested for it. I had always assumed the symptoms of that would be very severe though? Wheat definitely bloats me, and I also - tmi - fart A LOT. Like a lot more than normal tbh. Like a few times an hour most hours. Don't know if that is wheat though or just gastro.

@User1484POP I'd be straight in for a tummy tuck if I could afford it. Maybe someday if I save. How much did it cost?

If you Google pilates for Diastis recti you'll find a lot of information and videos that'll give you the info you need to get started.

Get tested!! Everyone has different symptoms but it can cause PCOS among many other things. Just make sure you eat gluten before the test X

About 6,000. The only reason I bring it up is because sometimes DR is so bad that no amount of Pilates or low carbing will fix it completely (not that those aren’t good to do). After my twins I dieted and exercised until I was almost underweight and still had a belly

Trying keto soon. Bought Dr Moseley 800 Fast book.

Never mind after 30! What about nearly 60!

Have you looked into measuring the severity of your DR (e.g. 2 finger gap, 3 finger gap, how deep your fingers can go, etc.) and then you'll be able to find suitable exercises accordingly.

I'm sure it's your DR causing the issue but you basically have to do exercises that "challenge" your core at just the right amount. Too much and it will make things worse, not enough and it will do nothing.

@HeadToToesNo Ooh thanks, I had ruled out pilates.

@tinyt137 Thanks I will ask the GP.

@User1484POP Thanks. I've always had an issue with DR since DD (16) was born. I know what you mean that a tummy tuck is the only thing which will fix it, like you say. I hope one day I will be able to afford it. I might take on an extra hour or two at work if I can and put the money away, maybe in a few years I'll manage to get it done. I want to try in the meantime to reduce the fat and bloat I've put on there in the last 4 years so it looks at least a bit better.

Though not sure if keto will work for me as if I dont take prunes daily I get constipation owing to my bp meds.

Prunes apparently have a lot of carb.

Doomed!?

Good Luck @Guacamole001. is that 800 calories a day? I think I'd die! My basal rate is apparently 1500 and if I have less than 1300 I am starving!

Thanks @HumunaHey. I'm not sure how many finger widths it is. I've tried to measure myself but can't really feel much and get really squeamish. I think I recall something about 2-3 inches. Do you know if a 'normal' GP would be able to tell me? Otherwise I'd probably need to pay a one off fee to a physio or something.

@Valeriana87 someone else upthread suggested this but I agree with looking into the MUTU programme. It's a reasonable financial cost initially, but it's just a one off payment. Go and look at some of the before/after photos available online.
The first few weeks it feels like you are hardly doing anything, but it is a programme especially developed to help heal DR.
I'm 5ft3, small frame and people who didn't know me would comment on my pregnancy - I got very blunt about saying 'actually my core muscles are knackered'.....doing MUTU made a huge difference even without losing the layer of fat.

I'm within 3lb of my ideal BMI, am teetotal, and eat low carb...sorry to say but I still have belly fat!
If I lose weight it goes straight off my arse, belly appears the same. I paid for a private scan because I was concerned there was something untoward, no it really is just fat.

What everybody else said.

Definitely ditch the wine and crisps.Your body doesn’t need it.

There’s Lowcarb Bootcamp section on MN that you could look up. Great for recipes,company and encoragement

Yeah I think it's the wine. You need to cut right back on that.

34 is young so it's nothing to do with being over 30!

Cut the booze and do some more cardio I reckon. Good luck OP!

Diet yes
Exercise yes
But it needs to be fat burning exercise. I only learnt this recently. I've lot little weight (I'm quite tall and slim) but I've completely toned up and lost 6 inches around my waist and thighs.
I've followed Joe Wicks 90 day plan as its highly motivational and builds your resilience for harder exercise overtime as well as teaching good eating habits. But any good quality HIIT (not just cardio) regime, liked to a healthy eating regime, that takes into account your height etc would work.
Incidentally when I eat less, I don't lose weight. When I do his plan, I eat more and lose more inches.

@queenrollo Is that the one that costs about £100? I've looked into that. I'm really glad to hear it helped you. I could use my Christmas money for that. Do you know if it still works for many years post partum? I'm 16 years! Was supposed to go to physio after DD was born but didn't.

@SkegnessShogun Exactly the same. I'm on the upper end of normal BMI (24), but if I lose weight I never lose it off my belly. I have a pear shape, but my belly sticks out as much as my bum and I look so frumpy.

@FrenchBoule I am going to cut the wine. I saw the bootcamp the recipes look yummy.

@Firesidefox What makes me think it's 30s related, is that it all seemed to pile on at once on my belly when I turned 30. Maybe that coincides with when I started drinking more regularly though. Bye bye wine.

@Valeriana87

Good Luck *@Guacamole001*. is that 800 calories a day? I think I'd die! My basal rate is apparently 1500 and if I have less than 1300 I am starving!

Thanks @HumunaHey. I'm not sure how many finger widths it is. I've tried to measure myself but can't really feel much and get really squeamish. I think I recall something about 2-3 inches. Do you know if a 'normal' GP would be able to tell me? Otherwise I'd probably need to pay a one off fee to a physio or something.

Unfortunately, I don't think they would. IMO GPs are notoriously shit at diagnosing women related health issues (although men can get DR too).

At best I think they could send a referral for a women's physiotherapist to help, but that woukd only be if you were suffering other issues such as back pain. They'd see this as cosmetic issue (just wanting to get rid of the belly fat). I learned this from my postnatal check up and a further appointment I made.

You might have to book one of those Mommy MOTs or get someone else to measure for you.

@Trekkerbabe Thanks I'll look into that. Me and DD (she's stick thin lol but wants to improve her fitness) did HITT on youtube the other day. Man did it ache for days after! But we weren't really out of breath at all so maybe we didn't do it right.