To feel ashamed, embarrassed and not know how to fix this?

[Avatarthewayofwater]

I've taken the image from Google as I'm far to embarrassed to take a picture of myself.

Any weight I gain goes on my stomach and due to emotional binge eating I find myself here.

I did have ultrasound scans to check nothing underlying was going on, but no its visceral fat and only I can get rid if it.

The problem is I've changed my diet completely and calorie counting and eating healthy along with exercise. Yet nothing has changed stomach wise.

I'm so self conscious and I can't wear normal clothes because I constantly look pregnant.

Even at the gym I hide in a big hoodie so no one can see.

It's making me depressed and I don't know how to get rid of the stomach fat.

Has anyone else been like this and managed? I had a c section years ago and have an underactive thyroid if that makes any difference.

Please be kind...

Recent posters - how do you get checked for diastasis recti? Presumably not GP? A specialist? I'm in a similar place to OP, my kids are older and I'm getting back to fitness but my belly is embarrassing.

It was a GP that checked and said my muscles were as they should be.
They are a nightmare to get a referral from for anything.

I can't afford a consultation for a tummy tuck, plus it would make me feel so much worse knowing I can't afford it.

Plus what if they say the GP was wrong and it is my stomach muscles? What then?

121 exercises with a physio. Look for your local pilates teachers and see which ones are physio trained. They will get your middle back where it should be, whatever your issue is.

What is your current size? Are you slim all over with just a large protruding stomach?

I am a size 12 all over buy my stomach means I have to wear size 14 trousers and 16 t shirts to try and cover my belly.

If I carry on eating healthy and exercising my trousers will be more size 10, but because of my belly I can't wear that size.

Everything I wear is oversized to accommodate my stomach.

A GP wouldn’t know, you need a specialist in that area for a proper assessment. Many plastic surgeons offer free consultations, otherwise it’s around £150-200. You’re having PT sessions, how many sessions does that equate to?
So many people are saying check again for muscle separation and it feels like you’re blindly ignoring the issue, or just making excuses. Even if you can’t afford surgery you then know what the problem is and can see the correct type of physio at the very least, and stop doing exercises at the gym that will only make it worse.

Either a specialist physio who deals with Diastasis recti, or a plastic surgeon who does tummy tucks. They will always assess you for this as part of the consultation as muscle repair is commonly carried out as part of a tummy tuck.

Would physio fully fix it?
I agree that seeing another GP probably wouldn't get me anywhere.

For the person that asked how many PT sessions I've had so far I think it's 6. I've been doing spin classes in-between and cardio.

To the person who said I'm dismissing advice, I'm not and I apologise. I'm replying whilst at work so rushing.

Just googled and one health site says it can be recognised by ultrasound. Is this correct?

As I had a full ultrasound to check everything.

It says a doctor would be able to recognise if your stomach muscles have been separated and an ultrasound would be able to determine the severity of any separation. (This is Google though - so maybe not 100% but quite a few sites do mention this).

Does your stomach look like any of the pics on google when you type in 'diastasis recti' ? Have you always carried weight around your middle before childbirth? You'll always have a little pooch after your C-section, but I'm wondering if your skin has just stretched and is hanging over that?

This is the closest I can find that looks like my stomach. But the picture looks like a hard stomach where as mine is squishy.

I've had both a gp do a physical feel of my tummy to check the muscles plus an ultrasound and all they said is that I have visceral fat there.

Having skinny arms & legs but a bloated torso is a major sign of cushings disease

Ahh lovely, don’t be disheartened!
I know it won’t help, but I’m exactly the same. I exercise a lot - reformer Pilates 4 times a week, at least a 5km fast dog walk every day, a 6 km run 3 times a week. I’m toned and fit, but my BLOODY stomach will not effing shrink. I can feel the muscles underneath all the fat, they’re there, but the fat on top won’t budge. Everywhere else is looking good but I look like Humpty Dumpty when I wear anything.
The only thing I can do is to not eat any sugar and cut down on gluten. I know that works eventually, but it makes me so cranky and depressed, and I get terrible headaches. I also hate obsessing about food, it’s not a good example to set. I find it difficult as I’m preparing meals every day for 5 children and DH. We eat well and fairly healthily. I can’t justify a tummy tuck and lipo but if I could afford it I’d do it like a shot.

Agreed. I find it far more effective than just calorie counting and cardio.

I find resistance training gives you a better shape whilst allowing you to eat a fair bit more.

Don't know why pic didn't post with previous reply....

Sorry I have been quiet. I haven't been well for the past week and am still not.
I guess the up side is because of being poorly I have no appetite so have lost a tiny amount of weight.

When you say heavy weights - how heavy?