Frustrated!!

I'm so frustrated. I have lost 30 pounds which I am thrilled about. Down from 156 to 126 now, 5"4 so I'm at a healthy weight and I thought I would not go below 125 but now that I am close, I still have fat on my belly and upper thighs that just refuses to go away. I don't want to get too "skinny" and have people think I'm starving myself but how the heck do i get rid of that stupid baby tummy. My husband keeps telling me to do ab exercises but I know that won't make the fat go away just build muscle under the fat. Do I keep going and reset my goal for maybe 115-120 instead or just resign myself to having a flabby belly?

 

I have this problem too!  I would love to see the answer to your question as well xD

Well, I don't like this answer myself, but I'm afraid it's the truth...

The reason plastic surgeons make so much money is that lipo is often the only way to completely get rid of those stubborn pockets of fat that resist diet and excersize. A lot of women are downright THIN all over but still have a bit of flab on their tummy/thighs/hips or wherever that they can't get rid of no matter what they do. It's so unfair!

Excersizing and eating a high-fiber, wholesome diet will definately continue to help IMPROVE the way these problem areas look, but at the end of the day you either have to (a) give yourself a break and not worry about COMPLETELY ELIMINATING the remaining little bits of flab, especially since you're not overweight anymore, or (b) go get some lipo. If it's really important to you to look good in a bikini/in the nude then (b) is the way to go. Or you could get a bathing suit with a little skirt, that's what I did (for now)

Are you doing anything to build muscle?  Or are you just dieting? 

I think trying to build some muscle isn't going to hurt you, but you are right in that it probably won't solve the problem.

And, I'm also resigned to a future surgery, though I'm thinking mini-tummy tuck rather than lipo.

It's a good thing babies are so cute.  They sure can mess up a nice body.

The problem is tha tyou need muscle or you will continue to look flabby.  The biggest problem with the "tummy' is that for many people, esp post child birth, the muscles aren't strong enough to hold your organs in properly giving the appearance of fat but not the actual fact.  Get yourself a copy of 8 minute abs and do it every day for a month and see if you don't improve a LOT.

Mine is definitely fat, I can pinch an inch, haha or two. And my legs are actually fairly muscular, except for that very top inner thigh. I was using the elliptical every day and some weight lifting while it was cold out but now that it's summer I have been walking and bicycling instead. I have slacked off on the weight lifting but started that again this morning. I know I need to continue toning. And my upper abs aren't bad, not a six pack by any means, but not flabby. Just my lower abs have a nice pooch over them. It seems to slowly be going away, or so my husband says, but I'm not sure I believe him. I have lost 7 inches off my hips and only 1 off my waist with a total of 30 pounds lost. Just frustrating me but I will continue the battle. Lipo isn't for me, nor tummy tucks, if I can't get rid of it on my own, then it will have to stay, haha

I am in the same boat as you.  Started about 150 a year ago, down to about 119-120, and I've reached by initial goal, but still not happy with my tummy and thighs.  Having children really changes that mid-section.  I have major stretch marks by my belly button and fat that looks like a doughnut around my belly button.  I've been Jazzercising since May and that has helped tone, but I know I still have fat to lose, so I'm going to try to get to maybe 115 and see how I feel.  That is clearly still in a healthy range for me (I'm 5.3), so I'm not worried about that...Other people have made comments that I need to stop trying to lose weight.  But they don't see me naked.  I'll  never be able to wear a two peice suit.  If I could at least lost the fat pockets, then I'd feel much better about myself.

mannequins have flat planes. most of us (mere) mortals have plain fats. but at least we get to *live* with it.

but no actually, you don't have to live with a 'flabby belly'. there are plenty of resources (both online and off) for women to train for a more muscular body (probably the only way the flab is going to disappear without having you become 'too skinny'). Diet (controlling and increasing your protein intake) and exercise(weights and strength mainly) is key. But it's time consuming, and you'll need to be committed to several hours at the gym every week. Personally though, i'm happier with having more fat than more muscles, cause extreme definition freaks me out a little. but that's probably just me.

congrats for the weight loss though! (: you probably look great right now.