Loosing protruding tummy.

[Stickersandlollipops]

I’m 40 and pretty sure I’m peri (I know it’s early but I have lots of symptoms and have just been put on vagifem but haven’t started taking it yet).

Over the last few months I’ve put on a bit of girth around the middle. I’ve started going back to the gym and am toning up everywhere else but still have a bulging tummy. It’s quite firm so I’m not sure if it’s bloating or weight gain. My tummy is definitely flatter in the morning but it’s always a bit round no matter what I eat. I’m a size 10/12 so everywhere else is slim and getting more toned but I just feel uncomfortable in my skin about my tummy.

I also have back fat which I’m not loving. Any advice for ways to tone up the back fat and flatten the tummy?

I have a bladder prolapse which means that I need to be a bit careful about exertion. Any advice welcome as it’s getting me down a bit.

I do 10 mins core most days and a couple of classes a week that include core. I'm a size 8/10 but having had 2 kids (similar age to you) I need to be in the right part of my cycle and not have eaten wheat to have a flat stomach. Frustrating!

I'd also add that with a lot of core exercises you need to be actively pulling your belly button in or you won't flatten the muscles. So make sure your technique is right too

I’m 40, have two young kids and have the exact same problem with my tummy. I’m also a size 10-12. I have endometriosis and was partly putting it down to endo bloat, but I suspect it’s to do with x2 pregnancies and now my age too. It really gets me down too! I am trying 16:8 fasting, but I think I really need to do regular exercise too. Just cannot find the time or energy with an 18m and 4 yo

Sounds similar to me, I have 2 prolapses. The core exercises aren't great for us as anything that challenges it will put pressure on them.

Focus on strength exercises that improve posture. Then you can naturally engage and pull in on your tummy.

It's about getting the right connections - probably will support the prolaspe better too.

Back fat.... no idea!

For me, this has been weight loss related, I have not been able to do anything about this in a gym by itself. I had to calorie count to lose some weight and this was the last area it went. I can feel my stomach muscles are strong, they are hard when I tense them but you can’t see them (abs can’t be seen but you can see the vertical ones that start further up) as they covered in fat tissue. We all have muscles under the tissue so keep exercising them doesn’t really make the overlaying tissue go away… a body builder would have to lower their body fat to make their muscles show better.

I have had 2 pregnancies and a hysterectomy so I accept never having abs and having a low body fat under 20% is not an aspirational goal of mine but I got rid of some of the overhang through weight loss. It’s normal for women to have fat under the belly button it’s to protect our uterus. Most of us have soft tummies that stick out a little, especially after pregnancy. I have a soft wobbly belly I suspect only surgery would make it look like an Instagram model!

I started a thread with almost exactly the same question the other day! I have signed up for Pilates so we'll see if that helps...