Low body fat percentage but wobbly stomach: help

[LockHatter]

I have been on a fitness mission since February. Through going to the gym 3-4 times a week, tracking calories and eating high protein I have lost 10lbs and firmed up. I am pleased with how I look EXCEPT my stomach which is still really wobbly. It looks like I need to lose more weight but other parts of my body are starting to look gaunt so I don’t want to loose too much more. How do I target to my stomach?

I use the gym weights machine for my stomach 4 times a week with weights that leave me struggling to push the bar down on the 15th rep and I do 3 cycles of 15 reps each time. On days I don’t go to the gym I do planks - I can’t do sit ups due to an old neck injury.

The gym’s body analysis machine says I have 17.4% body fat which is classed as low despite what my stomach looks like. I am 5’ 10’ and now 145lbs.

any tips on stopping my stomach looking so wobbly?

I have had four huge babies and I am 48 so maybe it will just never look slim again.

It’s probably some excess skin from babies and weight loss. Only surgery can fix that. I’m sure nobody else notices.

@LockHatter

Would these have the desired effect?

Your stomach and core have lots of muscle groups and sounds like you are targeting just a few with crunch machine / planks.

look up some Pilates style deep core routines instead

and also embrace the fact that a 48 year old body that has carried and birthed 4 children is never going to look the same as a 20 year old fitness influencer!

Wow, you're doing well!

Weight machines target specific muscles but they don't help you with core or overall stability.

I rarely train abs specifically. I've found that the BEST things for having an iron core were doing the classic compound lifts: barbell squats and deadlifts. Lifting heavy. There's a reason these are the classic lifts and tests of strength! You have to have core stability to Then also proper full body, chest to floor - or hand release - push ups.

I still have a layer of fat across my midriff, but I can fell the core muscles underneath wrapping around my mid-torso like a corset.

If you don't want to do barbell compound lifts, you could do squat thrusters with dumbbells. The other exercise which really tests your core strength is the hollow hold. Keep your back on the floor, pushing your backbone into the floor ("navel to spine"), and lift your heels, your head and your arms a few centimetres off the floor. See how low you can keep your hells, head, and arms, without touching the floor. It kills your core - start with doing just 15 seconds, and build up to a minute. Look for examples of good form on YouTube.

A lot of people do the hollow hold with their legs way up in the air - try to keep them low, low, low. The hollow hold also helps with pull ups.

And generally, most people's posture is not good, so the tummy looks bigger than it is. When you're walking or standing try to visualise your body's alignment. Activate your core muscles as if they're a corset. Pull your ribs away from your hips - think about getting your centre of gravity higher - if you've ever done ballet, that's what you're aiming for - straight spine and lightly held centre. Shoulders pushed down, and everything stacked in a straight line around your spine.