Flat stomachs. Who has them?

[msrisotto]

Can you have a flat stomach while being a healthy BMI? That seems like a stupid question actually. I have a BMI of 20 but have belly fat. It doesn't bother me really, but I was wondering if I could ever get a flat stomach while being a healthy weight.
Is it for people who do a lot of exercise, have next to no fat and lots of muscle? Like professional athletes? Is it genetics? Is it youth?

[Laniakea]

mine was just like Running's ... when I'm very very thin (7 stone, ribs sticking out, too thin). Even when I was dancing a lot - toned everywhere/great legs/bum etc I still have the little pooch.

I actually liked it though! That athletic 6 pack look is not me at all (fortunately because I'd never have the commitment to obtain that kind of physique). Think Talkin is right about it being a difference in underlying anatomy when you get rid of the fat!

[idontlikealdi]

There's a difference between flat and toned though isn't there. I'm a 14 and have been genetically blessed with a flat stomach - it's in no way toned though and I just carry excess weight everywhere else!

[singleandfabulous]

Interesting thread. My bmi is 24 & my stomach is bulgy (innards) and fat (1" of blubber coating it). This is despite lipo and regular shredding and pilates. Even with a bmi of 19 it wasnt flat or without fat. I have gizelle legs & a flat arse though. Id kill for defined abs I really would. At the end of the day the week before my period i look six months pregnant. The picture posters are both thin with flat stomachs in my opinion.

[Ta1kinPeace]

Banana
Flat tummies are variable depending on context.
This is one of my gym friends - she has two teenage kids and is in her late 40's
she is flat tummy, round bum
and yes, we call her barbie

[BananaPie]

Erm, so the two people who posted pictures do know they have flat stomachs right?

[rookiemere]

I gave up sugar about 4 weeks ago. Within a couple of weeks my tummy, which has been fairly bloaty looking for a long time, is pretty much flat. I am still overweight but have changed shape amazingly quickly.

[Amandahugandkisses]

I have an almost concave stomach. I don't eat much at all but to be fair it's always been like this even when I ate more. I think it's about gut flora balance personally.

[AverysillyoldHector]

Even when I was exercising loads and was 8 stone 10 and 5'8" I didnt have a flat tummy. I asked a surgeon friend why and he said that some women just have fat overlying their abdominal muscles so no amount of exercise could ever sort it.

[Ta1kinPeace]

greatpoint
yes and no
I do gym classes with some ultra lean people who wear head to foot lycra
the angle of the front of the pelvis is genetic and linked to tummy size / bum size

I have round tummy flat bum
other friends have flat tummy round bum
and there are two ladies with flat tummy and flat bum - but both have BMI under 18 as they are built like giraffes

[GreatPointIAgreeWithYouTotally]

It also will depend on your back and core. If you stand with a curve in your lower spine, (like many toddlers do naturally) it appears that your abdomen sticks out. If you stand tall and have a strong core this will be less obvious.

[Ta1kinPeace]

Flat stomachs are genetic.
If your pubic bone tips outwards your tummy will bulge no matter how lean you are
If it it tips inwards you will have a flat tummy even if a bit overweight

[AuldYow]

Interesting thread and it's made me reassess my stomach.

I've been getting myself down because I don't have a flat stomach however having just practised if I stand properly it's flat. I still need to lose half a stone but I think I'll also work on my posture and step away from the biscuits

[QuimReaper]

Both of those tums look pretty flat to me!

[Ifeelyourpain2]

Mine isn't helped by the lack of boobs too, I'm sure if they were bigger the contrast would make my stomach seem flatter...

[Ifeelyourpain2]

I do feel like I have a little layer of fat at the bottom, I think having trousers on probably smoothed it out (as it is worsened by my skin being looser at the bottom) but it's definitely not free of fat!

I definitely wouldn't say you have 'lots of belly fat', at all! I'd say yours is similar to mine.

[Runningupthathill82]

OK, I can rise to this challenge. Here's mine. BMI of 21, size 8...and as I said up thread, lots of excess belly fat. I didn't carry so much weight here before the children, that's for sure.

ifeel - you haven't got any excess fat like I do, so I'm not sure there's a great deal you can do to make your belly even flatter. You look great.

[Ifeelyourpain2]

Exhibit A! As I said, it's easy enough to hide under clothes and it does get bigger throughout the day, but even at a few pounds lighter than I am now it's still there. My bmi is a smidge under 20.

[Ifeelyourpain2]

A bit of both I think.. The skin has lost its elasticity since having kids, so that plays a large part. By the end of the day I have more of a stomach so I think some of it is also down to organs in general!

[QuimReaper]

Ifeel is it fat, or just sticking out?

If the latter, it's probably just your organs! As I said upthread I had the same thing when I was very slim and had hardly any excess fat anywhere.

Toning up the ab muscles will probably help anyway.

[Ifeelyourpain2]

I'm the same, BMI of 20 yet my stomach still sticks out a bit! I'm slim everywhere else but even at a BMI of 19 my stomach was the same.

Thankfully it's not so obvious when I'm dressed but I do notice it when I'm not and it does get me down at times.

[QuimReaper]

Running I think you're right.

A friend of mine fell pregnant earlier this year and said she was looking forward to looking "pregnant" rather than "just fat". I told her she didn't look at all fat, and she said "yes, but I'm used to my tummy being perfectly flat!"

I was impressed by this, since I beat myself up constantly about the "flat tummy" thing and whilst she has a gorgeous figure, I'd say she's a couple of dress sizes bigger than me. Made me think "flat tummy" is all in the mind and I was subjecting myself to an insane standard.

[Runningupthathill82]

As this thread illustrates, one person's "flat stomach" is another's "fat belly."

I have lots of excess fat on my belly, but a neighbour stopped me the other day to say wasn't it amazing my stomach was so flat already after the birth of DD. All perception, innit.

[Laniakea]

yeah I'm the same - short with a very short torso, when I was 20 & 7 stone I still had a little bulge at tummy button height.

[MancMum01]

I am 2 stone overweight with BMI of 27 and have flat stomach - all my fat - and possibly that of others is in my thighs.. helped by a longer than normal body ( to me give shortest legs with biggest thighs - thanks God). I do notice bread/wheat can make it puff out slightly though but generally again it all hits thighs

[JamieVardysParty]

Even at my absolute skinniest, I have a little pooch just under my belly button. Had it as a kid, have it as an adult. No idea what can get rid of it.

Interestingly I am also an hourglass with a short torso so PP may be onto something.