Can anything be done about this?

[HotMessMama]

Please be kind.

I’ll start by saying that I’ve never had a completely flat stomach, I used to wear a size 14-16 but carried it well and always knew what to wear to emphasise the good and minimise the bad.

2 children (and 2 caesareans later) and this is what I’m left with pic blurred as I have a distinguishing tattoo. I put on weight of course during both pregnancies but it was all around my middle, I’m no longer pregnant (youngest DC will be 2 in July) but still look like I am. My stomach protrudes further than my breasts, I have an awful overhang and am a very typical apple shape. I’m short too so I look like Mike Wazowski

I now wear a size 20, I live in my maternity leggings still as the waistband of anything else sits right where I’m roundest. I wear large mens clothes, t-shirts and shirts, as I find women’s tops just aren’t long enough to cover my stomach. I am so self conscious, have absolutely no confidence and just feel disgusting

I’ve started trying to lose weight, no faddy diets just consciously trying to eat less/better. I want to begin exercising but it’s difficult as I’m a SAHM and have little child free time. I also have no money for fancy gym membership or classes so my question is what (if anything) can be done about this? Are there any exercises in particular I should focus on to target this area?

Thank you for reading x

Ahhhh. I looked very similar. Typical apple shape. I started logging everything on My Fitness Pal and kept to 1,500 calories a day. I did it slowly but it was only once I got to a much lower BMI my stomach went really flat.

Exercises will help tone but you need to lose the layer of fat to flatten your apple tummy.

My Fitness Pal has been life changing to me as it’s helped me see where calories are hidden and helped me see how much I was actually eating.

Have you ever seen secret eaters? I used to watch it thinking ‘how can they not realise?’ Then, when I started getting bigger, I couldn’t fathom it. I may have been eating hardly anything volume wise, so I was always hungry, but the foods I was choosing were too calorific meaning I wasn’t losing weight & I was just getting bigger. You’ll get there but it will take time to retrain yourself.

However, you aren’t disgusting and really shouldn’t think that of yourself. Your tummy has grown and protected 2 wonderful children. Be kinder to yourself

You have lovely skin
Mine looks all wrinkly and screwed up like a deflated balloon

I lost weight tracking with my fitness pal too. Life changing understanding calories in and out. Did it slowly ate a square of chocolate every day to keep my spirits up. I found it easier once ds was at school but should have at least tried properly before. I also did exercise videos and yoga kids videos and things with dc bouncing around too

You aren’t disgusting and I can relate - my friend has lost loads of weight on the Noom ap - I’d like to try but can’t afford. I think the way to lose weight is basically have no treats which is hard.

You really do have lovely skin. You don’t appear to have any stretch marks. My stomach is covered in them!

I agree the only real way to lose belly fat is to lose fat. But, I only found belly busting yoga to help as it improves posture and makes it easier to keep it sucked in. Also Google stomach vacuum (its an exercise not a procedure!) Weird but very helpful on tightening the inner muscles that are hard to reach with conventional exercise. As for your lovely skin, to keep it that way if you're losing weight, go very very slowly and moisturise like crazy.

You need a low carb diet as these really target this area. I hate calorie counting and this is why I prefer low carb - less to think about once you understand it. Google low carb - they come under various names. The advantage of your shape ( I am the same ) is that a little weight loss looks like a lot. Sadly the opposite is also true . Are you able to get out for a walk a couple of miles every day or several times a week - maybe in the evening? I'm afraid there is no easy answer here - it does involve stopping eating the sugary/carb things and getting moving. It's not going to happen overnight as it didn't go on overnight so just take your time. Don't beat yourself up if you slip up on the eating or the exercise.

www.healthline.com/nutrition/8-popular-ways-to-do-low-carb

I echo PP , I also recommend resistance training. Google Arena Body bands & Booty bands.
Alternative versions can be purchased on Amazon and YouTube have some excellent resistance training clips.

Have you been checked for diastsis recti ( split tummy muscles)? The shape of your tummy reminds me of mine each time I’ve had a baby. If you do have it, you can fix it whenever you find it, but you will need to do physio/ rehab exercises very regularly ( I do them each day) to make a difference and it is a bit slow going HOWEVER it does go, just slowly! It would be a women’s physio or post partial specialist rather than the doctor you would need to diagnose. Best of luck with it

Solidarity from a fellow apple. I find I lose weight quite easily if I track my calories through my fitness pal app as I kid myself otherwise. For me it suggests 1200 a day but I can lose weight on 1500 a day although more slowly. Normally this means I cut down on carbs as I want to maximise by calories.

Walking is great exercise to trim the middle section. If you can't get outside to do it then try Leslie Sandone walk at home (videos on youtube). They start at just 15 minutes long, if the children are quiet then do another straight after, if you're really lucky 3.

In two months you could easily be a couple of stone or more lighter and significantly more toned. The above are free and fit around being a mum, give it a go, by May you could be feeling a whole lot better about yourself.

does good, short workout routines on YouTube. Only 7 minutes!!

@Bluebleu

Have you been checked for diastsis recti ( split tummy muscles)? The shape of your tummy reminds me of mine each time I’ve had a baby. If you do have it, you can fix it whenever you find it, but you will need to do physio/ rehab exercises very regularly ( I do them each day) to make a difference and it is a bit slow going HOWEVER it does go, just slowly! It would be a women’s physio or post partial specialist rather than the doctor you would need to diagnose. Best of luck with it

@HotMessMama this is really important because no personal trainer in the world will be able to help you get really separated muscles back together. In fact the more weight you lose the more prominent your stomach might become. I had twins for my third pregnancy and was back to 9st really quickly. I was having big problems with my left hip and decided to have a full tummy tuck when the twins were 10 months old. Best thing I ever did but it was fairly major surgery. My tummy has been tight and flat ever since. I was 36 when I had this done. Good luck

OP i have managed to lose some of my overhang since the beginning of this year ( pic below).

For me what has worked is:

Giving up alcohol
Thinking about what i'm eating, so no snacking.. crisps are my downfall.
Running again-I've had Covid recently which really set me back, so focusing on walking a but, then a jog etc

Do get yourself checked for diastsis recti as advised by PP first though.

My stomach has always been my problem area too and I've found eating a whole food plant based diet has really helped to reduce stomach fat and bloating. I don't count calories, just try to avoid starch and stick to whole foods. Lots of strength training too - Pilates and weight lifting. And cardio to burn calories - it's important to find something you enjoy. Personally I love dance aerobics.

@ICouldBeAnyone Me and DH recently watched that whole show start to finish on prime! Honestly I'm such a bad grazer. I can totally see how people can not realise how much they're eating through grazing but some of them it was like "Really? You just conveniently forgot you ate an entire KFC bucket?"

@Davethecat2001 great results!