Excess belly fat

[mumao]

Hi 👋🏼

I'm feeling very depressed today about my belly fat!

I'm slim, size 12 but my belly pushes me up to a 16 😱 I find it impossible to get trousers/shorts that fit, too small on the wait and to big on hips/ bum

Plus I know the middle is the most dangerous place to carry extra weight.

I do know that I need to exercise more but I'm a single mum and it's hard to find the time especially as when I've done all the chores I just want to flake! 🤣 I'm trying to change this.

I just wanted a moan really but any tips re. Diet to help? It does run in my family, mum has the same body shape.

Thanks!

Ps. I weigh 10.7 stone and am 5.7 if that adds a little perspective... my belly is huge! 😂

I have this problem. Im currently alcohol and sugar free trying to cut back on white bread, white rice, pasta and potatoes.

Are you sure you don't have diastasis recti? Or serious bloating issues? I'm the same weight and height as you and am a 10-12, I have my excess weight on my belly too but if it's pushing you up that many sizes in just that area that can't be just a weight loss issue, especially as you can't spot reduce fat.

@Falafel19 honestly it is but I do suffer a bit from bloat... but mainly it is a weight/toning issue.

If I were brave I'd post a pic! 😂

Take some probiotics OP?

Hmm. Are you sure it is fat rather than bloating/saggy skin from pregnancies. You Sound very slim to be wearing a 16!

It sounds quite genetic - but although you technically can‘t spot reduce fat, I have heard that belly fat is quite hormonal and that getting enough sleep/reducing stress can be helpful (though of course easier said that done). And any kind of physical activity help with visceral fat - the stuff round your organs that you can‘t see, but which is very responsive to exercise.

@SmiledWithTheRisingSun I have done before but will try again!

Has it always been like that? If it's a recent change I'd go see GP.

Watching this with interest as I feel the same as you! I know I should tone up too. I keep going to start 30 Day Abs on YouTube and then finding something anything else to do instead 😂

@CarrotPuff I've always had a belly... but when I've been super slim, say size 8 it's not been as bad (and that was a long time ago!) ha. Although I've always been a bigger size due to my belly.

It's depressing!

Fasting is good for visceral fat, so I'd look into 5:2 or 8:16. 8:16 is really easy to do, you basically just skip breakfast. Well, kind of.

Also I don't think you can tone up a specific area. Change shape, yes, but not get rid of the fat. It's stored under the skin so even if your muscles are all ripped but covered with a layer of fat, you won't really see the difference, will you? You might be able to change your shape though with weight lifting. But I'd look at diet first.

@CarrotPuff I basically do 8:16 anyway because of my dd routine... I eat with her at dinner (5ish) and I have breakfast at work which is always after 9am. I reckon that's why I'm not a size 16 everywhere!

@CarrotPuff yes, I need to start kettlebells again...

I'm the same. Same height as you. Always had a middle that is a size bigger than the rest of me. Even when I had size 10 hips, I had a size 12 waist. I'm now a size 12 hips with a 14 waist but size 12 bust. I have to alter a lot of the clothes I buy. Buuing trousers is totally off limits. As are skirts. It's got worse over the last few years since hitting 40. It's so frustrating. I run and do cross fit so my arms, bum and legs are toned. I'm considering lipo now as I'm just so sick of it.

Also need to cut the carbs!

Your posture is very poor in second photo which is probably exaggerating the excess on your middle. If you stand up straight I bet it's smaller? It definitely looks like bloat in the first one.

@Falafel19 yes, that's why I posted both!

I am the same height as you but weight 2 stone less.
I go to the gym a few times each week. You have a slender frame like me but maybe cut back on the carbs & go to the gym and focus on core strength. I agree with pp that your posture is not great. Also if wore that dress even at 8.7 stone my stomach would protrude a bit.
I shouldn't worry too much though.
As long as you are healthy, that's the important thing.

@Chickydoo I wish I could go to the gym, that's my problem I just don't have the free time! I need to get motivated and do kettlebell work outs at home when dd is in bed.

Posture isn't great in the second pic (basically how I was feeling yesterday, deflated! 😂) but standing tall in second..

Standing tall in first,'!!

That's very unusual, i'd have it checked out.

I look very bloated (6 months pregnant) by evening, I bloat after dairy/wheat but cannot motivate myself to find out what triggers it

At least by morning I wake up with a flat-ish tum

Is yours worse in evening?

I'm very similar to you OP (but not quite as slim all over!)
My belly fat is very out of proportion to the rest of my body.
I've just been diagnosed with coeliac disease. My consultant seems to think that could partly be causing the large midriff. I'm really hoping that cutting out wheat & gluten from now on will help reduce it.

Have a read up on coeliac disease and see if you recognise any symptoms.
I'd definitely take a trip to the GP just to rule out anything else.

Your posture is contributing to the paunch in the second pic op. Try Pilates!