weight loss thread inspired me to write this

[bdlana]

Argh....Okay...here is my personal frustration-Maybe one of you wise ladies has advice!

I was 125 pre-pregnancy (5' 2.75"). After my pregnancy and initial baby/fluid loss I was about 143. 18 months later I am 109. At one point, I got down to 106 and looked scrawny. BUT at 109 everything is thin except my poochy belly! I had a friend who meets with a personal trainer help me at the gym and was working out like 6 days a week alternating between cardio and muscle building (light, repetitive weight lifting). And serious ab work too-holding plank for two minutes times three (much harder than it sounds!), ab excercises with weights, the thing where you lift yourself up and slowly kick your legs out etc, etc. I am very strong...but I still have a pooch! WTH???? Help! I think for my small frame I would look best at 105 BUT I need to have that muscle show else I look scrawny! And that is frustrating too cause that last 4 lbs is not coming off. Though that is mostly my fault because of lack of motivation since I did not like the results I got with all my hard work. Also, I CAN'T seem to hold on to muscle. If I do not keep up with this regimen, it goes. And I do eat plenty of protein! Help...anybody...I'm so sad about it!

[emuffz]

My advice is this be happy with where you are now you are only 109 pounds. Life is too short to worry about a little pooch. That does not mean to let yourself go but after a baby your body does sometimes change. Continue with a healthy lifestyle exercise and eating right, but try not to obsess about 4 pounds.

EM

[jesennia]

i have mine after 2 years. my doctor said it's ovaries, overeating, and age. thanks doc. this is a trouble spot that many of us who have had babies can't seem to get rid of

i've sort of accepted it along with cellulite (moon butt) and oncoming gray hairs. sucks but what can be done other than lipo or going on Survivor for 30 days (i'd still have mine)

invest in high waisted jeans, dresses that are loose in that area, and spanx. and buy bra/belt sets instead of lycra!

[bdlana]

I guess I should say its not really my weight or the 4 lbs I'm obsessing about...its really my inability to hold on to muscle in the abdominal area and the pooch from the baby.

Maybe you're right, Jes...I might just have to accept it and invest in things that flatter...but I pine after how my stomach used to be...even 15 lbs heavier!

[Lara L]

109 is well within normal for your (our!) height, generally, & if your bmi is okay & your muscles are doing what they're supposed to, I wouldn't sweat the weight too much. I'm afraid a little pooch may be there to stay. sounds like you're doing everything right, so it may just be time for that pooch to be there (I know, my mostly fit hubby isn't thrilled with that comment when I try to console him on his little love handles either...)

[jesennia]

I guess I should say its not really my weight or the 4 lbs I'm obsessing about...its really my inability to hold on to muscle in the abdominal area and the pooch from the baby.

Maybe you're right, Jes...I might just have to accept it and invest in things that flatter...but I pine after how my stomach used to be...even 15 lbs heavier!

i purchased large boobs so that i couldnt see my stomach anymore. did wonders! (i'm not advocating purchasing boobs..just saying it helped me to re-focus..g.:

[BrynjaBuhund]

The poochy belly you describe may not really be a weight loss issue at all. My teacher was discussing this in our class the other day (we have a couple of new moms), it could be an "abdominal separation" which is a common after pregnancy apparently. Check out this website (which is hawking a DVD, but will give you some idea of whether this is something you should ask a doctor about) to see if you think this might explain your tummy issue:

Abdominal Separation/Diastasis Recti ... BeFit-Mom Prental and Postpartum Fitness and Excercise During and After Pregnancy

Keep in mind I'm just mentioning this because it came up in my belly dance class. I am not sure how much truth there may or may not be in it.

[bdaddiction]

i purchased large boobs so that i couldnt see my stomach anymore. did wonders! (i'm not advocating purchasing boobs..just saying it helped me to re-focus..g.:

You are hilarious!!! ..l;,

[bdaddiction]

The poochy belly you describe may not really be a weight loss issue at all. My teacher was discussing this in our class the other day (we have a couple of new moms), it could be an "abdominal separation" which is a common after pregnancy apparently. Check out this website (which is hawking a DVD, but will give you some idea of whether this is something you should ask a doctor about) to see if you think this might explain your tummy issue:

Abdominal Separation/Diastasis Recti ... BeFit-Mom Prental and Postpartum Fitness and Excercise During and After Pregnancy

Keep in mind I'm just mentioning this because it came up in my belly dance class. I am not sure how much truth there may or may not be in it.

There is some truth, but not for everybody. Usually, this is diagnosed during pregnancy, because other problems arise.

[habibiyaeini]

The poochy belly you describe may not really be a weight loss issue at all. My teacher was discussing this in our class the other day (we have a couple of new moms), it could be an "abdominal separation" which is a common after pregnancy apparently. Check out this website (which is hawking a DVD, but will give you some idea of whether this is something you should ask a doctor about) to see if you think this might explain your tummy issue:

Abdominal Separation/Diastasis Recti ... BeFit-Mom Prental and Postpartum Fitness and Excercise During and After Pregnancy

Keep in mind I'm just mentioning this because it came up in my belly dance class. I am not sure how much truth there may or may not be in it.

This could be it. A physion therapist can help and show you exercise to reduce it.

It could be fluid retention. Cut back on salt and drink more water.

This sounds negative but it could be genetics or age???Not sure of your age.

Read somewhere that a high protein, low carb can reduce stomach.

Your body sounds fab to me!! I wouldnt worry too much.

[bdlana]

Haha...I might need to once I'm done nursing! That's a whole 'nother story! Deflated boobs! How come men don't have to deal with any of this crap?

i purchased large boobs so that i couldnt see my stomach anymore. did wonders! (i'm not advocating purchasing boobs..just saying it helped me to re-focus..g.:

[bdlana]

Read that article and did the test. this does not appear to be the problem for me. I can only fit less than a fingertip between. Hmmm...that was a good thought though. I'll post some (bad) pics. Please excuse them...they are just the best pics to illustrate what I am talking about. It does not look that bad...but its when I bend down...everything 'hangs' much more than it used to:(

Scrawny at 106. Too skinny looking UNLESS I build up my abs (of course it does not help that I am REALLY ribby):

At around 110ish...here is my pooch. like I said...does not look THAT bad...but its really soft. My tummy was MUCH firmer pre-prego at 125. Oh hahah...my son is in the pic too;) Also...this is how my abs look with intense attention:( I just don't show muscle or something....

The poochy belly you describe may not really be a weight loss issue at all. My teacher was discussing this in our class the other day (we have a couple of new moms), it could be an "abdominal separation" which is a common after pregnancy apparently. Check out this website (which is hawking a DVD, but will give you some idea of whether this is something you should ask a doctor about) to see if you think this might explain your tummy issue:

Abdominal Separation/Diastasis Recti ... BeFit-Mom Prental and Postpartum Fitness and Excercise During and After Pregnancy

Keep in mind I'm just mentioning this because it came up in my belly dance class. I am not sure how much truth there may or may not be in it.

[bdlana]

And I'm young-ish...I will be 26. Low salt diet, drink LOTS of water. Could be genetics though. My mom is REALLY skinny but has the same problem. And we are part hispanic...so we are 'apples'. Maybe I just need to learn to love my new body...but if there is anything I can do...anything...It might be silly. I should just be thankful for all the good features I do have-but its hard when your body changes so drastically.

[Lara L]

you are a girl, with girl parts that need room. You are still nursing, so expect hormone fluctuation too. you look fabulous. Rock that belly, girl! & cut yourself some slack.

If you *feel* healthy, that's all that really matters.

[dinavienna]

eeuhhh... those pics are POST pregnancy??

girl when reading your post I was about to say keep going for a year or so, and then why not liposuction, but seeing your pics: Honey, you are overreacting!
I am pretty weight and muscle, particularly abs obsessed and mourn for lack of time during my PhD I dont have the firmness I used to have since age 16.. but GIRL even me obsessed one I don't see no tummy!!!!!

Please do not over obsess ok??

My 2nd thought also was the one of the pre-poster - you are still breast feeding and not much time has passed. THis can definitely have hormonal reasons then.
You look stunning on those pics, 100% honest!

Please give yourself some time to get the hormones back to normal. I'd think that will definitely take months after you stop breastfeeding. Seeing a physiotherapist is a good idea, they can do wonders to all kinds of things. Like if you have any back pain when carrying the little one around or something. :) and they for sure know the greatest exercises.

Try that for another few months, have patience with your hormonal situation!

and please get a more realistic look on your body, your tummy is totally fine :)

IF after a year or so you are very unhappy with 2 or 3 pounds there - why not liposuction? I am all anti plastic surgery, but in certain "restorative" cases I am for it.. like after an accident or to get rid of VERY resistant pounds. But that means you'd have to have tried for at least a year IMO :)
And be aware of the risks - sometimes the liposuction turns out weird, uneven.. consider what's better - your tummy as it is before or if something goes wrong, and only do it if you really want to take that risk..
That s my advice :)

[Lara L]

ps- my boobs did fill out again a *little* about 2 years after I stopped nursing the last one- totally unexpected, but there is still hope...

[ozma]

And I'm young-ish...I will be 26. Low salt diet, drink LOTS of water. Could be genetics though. My mom is REALLY skinny but has the same problem. And we are part hispanic...so we are 'apples'. Maybe I just need to learn to love my new body...but if there is anything I can do...anything...It might be silly. I should just be thankful for all the good features I do have-but its hard when your body changes so drastically.

I think you look better with the "pooch" but you have to go with what feels good for you. If you motehr has the same build and the same body change after pregnancy, you probably can't fight genetics.

[Azaleah]

Isn't bellydancing a 'celebration' of a goddess/woman's form and not perceived perfection? You look great and should be proud, as do all the other women, no matter what shape or size and I am proud to be part of a group, per se, that has the confidence to find 'themselves' beautiful, which in turn makes others see them that way. There will always be something we want to change, but hell let's be happy with what we have. p.s. you want to talk about pooch? Try getting rid of it after two sections, lol. Hasn't happened yet and it is 20 years later...

[Qamar60]

I think you look better with the "pooch" but you have to go with what feels good for you. If you motehr has the same build and the same body change after pregnancy, you probably can't fight genetics.

I do to prefer the 2nd pic!

Qamar

[Fotia]

i purchased large boobs so that i couldnt see my stomach anymore. did wonders! (i'm not advocating purchasing boobs..just saying it helped me to re-focus..g.:

..l;,..l;,..l;,..l;, Something to keep in mind for me when I reach middle age and the girls fall over!!

I think the second pic looks really good - your stomach looks slightly rounded, not poochy at all. In fact, you look just fine!

[ssipes]

I think you look beautiful. Personally I very much prefer the look of a slightly rounded lower belly to a perfectly flat or concave one, but that is just me.

[jesennia]

I think you look beautiful. Personally I very much prefer the look of a slightly rounded lower belly to a perfectly flat or concave one, but that is just me.

I agree, I think you look lovely and do like womanly curves over straight flat washboard

[SuzanneAzhaar]

Definitely rocking it in the lavender costume! Appreciate the female curves you have. From a dancer point of view you are beautiful and shouldn't worry about it.

If there is more to it~ like...you are competing in the feather weight body building division and want it gone. See a doctor who specializes with body builders.

[AllyisLuma]

I love how you look in the lavender costume. The "pooch" is very natural and feminine looking...but if you want to get rid of it I suppose you could get rid of your uterus, your bladder...maybe some intestines because they must be taking up too much room.

(Now I'm contemplating purchasing a larger rack so I don't have to see my middle which is all pooch and fat and skin-sag after losing weight.)

[bdlana]

Thanks everyone for your votes of confidence...

So it's not really the way I look (I know it does not look that bad) its more how it feels...how soft it is...how it hangs very softly if I bend down. It did not used to do that:(

Again, I recognize that this might sound silly or nit-picky. I just wanted to know if there is anything I can do different. But alas, it appears I just need to accept this new body of mine

[ssipes]

Thanks everyone for your votes of confidence...

So it's not really the way I look (I know it does not look that bad) its more how it feels...how soft it is...how it hangs very softly if I bend down. It did not used to do that:(

Well, part of that has to do with the skin in that area having been stretched over a baby. Whatever changes your skin underwent won't be affected by exercise or diet.

Again, I recognize that this might sound silly or nit-picky. I just wanted to know if there is anything I can do different. But alas, it appears I just need to accept this new body of mine

Its okay, I think anytime our bodies change we have issues. I lost a bunch of weight two years ago and still suffer some body dysmorphia.