Is this fat or lose skin on my stomach (pic included)

[brazilianandjapanese]

I used to be a size 10 and have a six pack.

After twins and putting in 5 stone, I'm now back at a healthy weight and my body looks toned.

Well, except my stomach which looks a flabby mess. I can't wear bikinis, I can't wear tights clothing.

I'm currently dieting to try and get rid of the excess stomach fat but it makes no difference. Plus, I'm now at a healthy weight for my overall body so don't want to lose too much more.

Is this skin or a combination of fat and skin?

Sorry for the close ups of my flabby mess of a tummy

The red line is where my leggings elastic has been.

I have trouble with dress sizes as my legs are slim but stomach is fat so finding clothes that fit is hard.

It looks a bit like mine and I consider mine to be a mix of fat and split muscle. The muscle inside is no longer "together" but it can be healed again. It's like two pieces of muscle which separate when you're pregnant. They remain separate for many of us unless we work out.

Do you do excersise?

Oh I also have the dress size issue OP! You're one size on the top, one size on your legs but your stomach makes you two sizes up.

it looks like loose skin.
it's not a mess. it's the stomach of someone who has given birth.

why can;t you wear a bikini?

when you go to beaches abroad you will see every type of body in a bikini.
if you are self concious of your tummy then a bikini with big pants is the answer.

www.fitnessnetwork.com.au/resources-library/injury-rehab-abdominal-separation-in-pregnant-and-post-natal-clients

It's called abdominal separation.

www.enki-village.com/abdominal-separation.html

My last link shows how to check if it IS indeed abdominal separation.

I do a lot of exercise.

I put a lot of weight on and so have a lot of loose skin. But it does still feel a bit flabby!

I'm only in my twenties so was expecting to have a much better stomach by now! I gave birth at 22 but my stomach makes me look in my 40s.

I just don't feel confident in a bikini anymore.

When I get the money I will be getting a tummy tuck but until then I'm just wondering if anything can help.

I could probably do with losing a stone and a half anyway.
I'm a healthy weight but looked best at 9 and a half stone and I'm 11 now.

Let me check abdominal separation.

I have a similar issue but haven't had children. I'm a size 10-12 having lost 4 stones. I exercise, do weights, run, do abs work etc but can't get rid of mine (and I have the crinkly skin thing over the top of my belly button).

Any suggestions?

If it's just lose skin I don't think there's much that can be done really :-(

It's loose skin. Not much to be done really. It's very difficult to exercise your abs back together (I never managed it that's for sure).

Don't you feel a separation?

I can't feel a separation.

I have a feeling it's fat more than muscle or skin.

Oh, I wear a bikini BTW. I just get a higher waisted one that covers the loose skin.

I have a feeling it's fat more than muscle or skin.
I would disagree, you've actually got some pretty decent muscle definition. I think, even if there isn't a separation in your abs, your waist has widened from carry twins.

I think it's a mix of loose skin and some fat sitting there. It's not as bad as you think, high waisted pants will cover it don't stress.

I had a six pack before twins. I also have a defined abs at the top.

Maybe it is loose skin.

I will carry on dieting.

If you do have separation I really recommend a book called Diastasis Recti by a biomechanist called Katy Bowman. A lot of the time, 'normal' exercise, especially abdominal exercise, can make the problem worse. There's fascinating science behind her approach and loads of exercises that properly target your core and structural issues. Your tummy looks a bit like mine, I had an emergency c section and I have a wee 'shelf'. It's a trophy, of sorts... congrats on your twins! X

Looks like loose skin to me. It's normal - you have had babies! Don't feel pressured into changing it. Society has strange views on what is normal.

Eh OP, I'm in my 40s and my stomach is fine...less of that please!

It looks like a muscle separation to me, especially in the side view. It's very common.

Stop doing any crunches and sit ups, start doing deep core exercises. Pilates can be good if you don't overdo the hundreds. There are videos on YouTube of mutu system exercises that have helped to re-flatten my tummy after pregnancy and the associated abdominal damage.

Hey I'm in my 40s bloody cheek we're not all old saggy has beens you know!

No need to get offended. My stomach looks like that of someone older. Not all people in their 40s have a flabby tummy. My mother included. In fact her stomach is better than mine!

It's a tiny bit of fat that moves due to lack of muscle support. You look great to me, it will improve with weightloss and exercise.