Mother in law told me I look pregnant... tips for losing tummy fat please!

[sleepy78]

Hello,
So my lovely MIL just casually told me that I look pregnant which has upset me because I had thought the same in private ... I am 52 kilos for 1m66 - not sure in stones and feet I'm afraid. I have quite skinny arms, face and legs etc but a bit of a round tummy - at 46 I have noticed that it has grown over the last couple of years and wonder if it is pre menopause based? I have had to buy new trousers because mine got uncomfortable. Anyway, I also have a prolapse so have to avoid jumping and running. I can't swim. Any ideas what I can do which won't make the prolapse worse?

I'm not sure it's the tummy that you need to lose here....

Ok, I'll do that and check.

Thank you for sharing. I'll go and check. Am a bit scared now, I hadn't thought it could be something sinister...

Obviously I am goggling like a champ now. I tried to work out the difference between bloating and fat and apparently bloating makes the stomach hard and uncomfortable. However, if you can grab it with your hand then it is more likely fat. Do we think that's true? Obviously, I'll still make a Dr's appointment but since I will have to wait until I get back home from holiday, I am trying not to panic...

Googling that should say...

You can’t slim a certain area and it doesn’t sound like you need to lose weight at all. Definitely see a dr about the digestive issues and get stuff like lactose intolerance and coeliac disease ruled out. If nothing medical maybe get planking?

OP you need to just tell her to fuck off

I don't think you look that bloated. I was way worse than you and looked 9 months pregnant. My stomach was fairly hard and didn't feel like soft fat when I grabbed it. It got bigger as the day wore on.
I definitely put weight on in my middle now that I'm 50 so it's possibly just perimenopausal fat distribution but a trip to the GP would be good to rule anything out.

Could be a fibroid? Far more likely to be something non sinister than sinister so enjoy your holiday and see the gp when you get back.

Thanks 😊

I agree.

Ok, that makes me feel better. I only feel bloated when I have my period. Most of the time, it feels soft and pretty wobbly. I will check though.

Jeez your MIL sounds wonderful op 🙄.
You look great by the way! As others have said, speak to your GP just in case, but please don't let her get to you. You are definitely not over weight.

Female bodies tend to develop a bit of a spare tyre in peri menopause because fat cells in that area contain oestrogen which the body is trying to conserve. It doesn’t readily respond to exercise and diet.

But, exercise and diet are really important for long term health. You should check that you’re getting enough calcium in your diet, take a vitamin d supplement if you’re not already, increase protein and do some weight bearing exercise to protect your bones.

Of course, it would be no harm to rule out anything sinister with the gp. But I wouldn’t let Dr Google worry you too much.

Yes, I have decided to do some cycling and maybe pilates, I have to be careful because I have prolapses. Thank you for calming me

You don't look bloated or pregnant to me. You look fine. Your MIL is a cheeky witch.

You look like a normal woman to me- in fact I’d be very happy with your shape. But I would go low contact with the MIL.

How old are you?

For completeness I would see the GP like PP have suggested but statistically it’s more likely to be a weak core and hormones laying fat down there. Pilates can help a lot.

FWIW I’m the same height as you but 5kg more having lost 20kg and I still have fat on my stomach, it’s just where I store fat and how I’m made. I just say who cares and wear a bikini.

I'd be really happy to look like you.

I'd 100% say pilates with a decent class rather than solo. I'd also say planking, but with prolapses I wouldn't do that without advice. It can work brilliantly compared to the time it takes though.

You don't look pregnant at all

You look like a slim female human who has a uterus there.

I would advise you to pay a visit to the doctor to rule anything sinister out.

Agree. When my grandad told me I was getting a belly I poked him in the belly back and says it runs in the family. He was a bit affronted but I reminded him he shouldn't dish out truths if he can't take it back (he has form and left other family members upset) . People can be so rude and clueless, age doesn't give a free pass

I was expecting to see a huge tummy! I would be happy to look like you honestly don't listen to your MIL she is rude! You look very normal for a woman of your age and after having children.

Hi OP, definitely go and see a pelvic physio for a one off advice session on the prolapses versus exercise.

But if it makes you feel better I have all the prolapses and still lift weights and plank. Physio watched my technique and modified it slightly. They can give you advice on lifting safely too.

My pelvic physio also runs pilates classes specifically for women with prolapses.