Should I Just Accept My Belly Fat?

Lipo or tummy tuck, if it makes you that unhappy.

I had a full tummy tuck 5 years ago. Best. Decision. Ever.

I'm in my 70s and have too much belly fat. I've never been pregnant. I've always had a bit of pudgy since I was a child. I have not tucked my shirt in for years, starting around 40. I lost 25 lbs. 2-3 years ago. I still have extra tummy fat even tho I've gone from a size 18 to a size 6 or 8. I'm also shorter. From 5"6" to 5'3" or 5'3" unless I make an effort to stand taller.

These are clues to why I still have belly fat. First, I never had a flat tummy. Second, age makes a difference. My skin is no longer elastic. In the last 5 years my arms became wrinkled. So my belly skin isn't able to shrink after losing that weight. And because I'm shorter, due to my spine becoming more compact,.everything inside my abdomem is more compact.

Recently, I read an article saying that no matter one's weight, what one eats, or how much exercise one gets, there is an age beyond which belly fat doesn't shrink. What a relief! I can stop feeling like I should be doing something more.

I started noticing very slim women, like size 4 and 2 with a pouch. They can tuck in their shirts. My theory is that pregnancy not only stretched out the skin, it also caused ligaments.to stretch and organs to shift. I think one reason my tummy is flabby is the result of 3 abdominal surgeries.

So....I'm going to accept my saggy fat tummy and keep shirts outside my pants.

well, there's always lipo, right?
i think menopause belly is a thing, but if you're not there yet, the only other thing i can think of is to cut out sugar altogether as JC suggests.
i miss wearing form-fitting clothing and tucking in shirts, but not enough to give up candy or get surgery.
khairete
S.

It sounds like you are in good shape. Why not consider having a tummy tuck? If that is the only way and it bothers you it may be well worth the expense and pain.

(Have you cut all bad sugar out of your diet though? I know woman in their 50's with flat stomachs but they don't eat any junk...NONE)

Wow your numbers sound amazing. I have known of several women who have gotten surgery after kids because they had more of a stomach and it did not go with their body.

I also know some women who started noticing the mid section get bigger as they got closer to age 50 (despite working out and eating right along with the low body fat 18%).

Honestly most of my friends in your boat who have a flat stomach have had something done (surgery). It is pretty difficult to be 50 with the same stomach as when you were 20/30/40 even if you eat better and workout more.

I have read after age 45 is when some changes occur. A fit 45 year old usual work much harder than a fit 35 year old to end with the same result.

You can either accept it or have a tummy tuck. Stretched out skin will not go flat in your 50s. If your skin is stretched out, lipo alone will not work. It's up to you to determine how much it bothers you.

I think that our bodies do change over time as we age. I see many women who've been thin and flat end up with little bellies after they turn 50.

If you are doing exercises that target that area and have been consistently doing them and still no change then I assume it's a layer of fat that isn't going to move. Not saying you're fat, just that we do get collections of it in places and it doesn't go away.

Talking to a fitness person might help you find different exercises too. If it's important to you then go talk to a doc about liposuction. See what they say. They might know exactly how to get rid of it without surgery.

You don't have to accept it. I also vote for a tummy tuck. I'm saving so I can get one myself!

urg. I'm 44. I so have a little layer of fat that just won't go away and I'm petrified of reaching my 50s. I had my kids late too, last one at 41. I'm strong, stronger than most women I know. I don't know my bodyfat and BMI, but my belly? Well, let's just say it ain't very pretty. You can see muscles forming but they never get formed. LOL. I use to be able to quickly kick off any stomach fat in two weeks. After kids, well, I'm 10 pounds pre-pregancy weight with a small tummy. My belly is mostly flat, but it has this weird layer. "Jelly Belly" is the correct phrase. It use to be a rock.

I've decided I'm going to be like Sue t. when I grow up: i'm just going to learn to love my jelly belly: it's a sign of wisdom, no?

with that said, I have no real time to work out. I've taken to do interval training 3x a week for 20-30 minutes. I then walk 15-30 minutes a day. One other day I may do another 10 minute interval if I have time. Interval training is awesome. I use to be a cariod junkie, Interval is a perfect cardio fix with mean toning of muscles. I know I could probably kick the fat by upping my workouts and not drinking beer, but who has time to work out more than that with young children around? (and a puppy and kitten).And with the zoo called my home, I need my beer!

NEVER settle for less than your best. If you want a flat tummy then it's time to get to work. Work meaning fitness and altering your diet. Food plays as big a part of trimming fat as fitness. Are you eating a healthy, lower fat, low sugar type diet? Time to learn more and do different things. You will want to work with nutritionists and personal trainers to get that tummy flat. If that doesn't work then try surgery but I say work that first and foremost and watch your body change.

I heard cool sculpting works. Also. Interval training does wonders for belly fat as opposed to constant cardio.

Coolsculpting. It's where they actually freeze the fat in only certain areas. It's not considered surgery, no anesthesia, no cutting, no scars. Bruising at the most from what I have seen and read is all the evidence you will see for a few weeks. It can be a bit painful. I've seen it done in videos online. If I had the money I would do it in a heartbeat!