Calling all bellies!

(Empress of the Unexpected) #1

I’ve lost 15 pounds on keto, and now am thin all over with the exception of my belly! This week I’ve cut out dairy, thinking that might be an issue, and lost a couple more pounds. I really don’t want to lose any more weight - in fact I want to build muscle. But, maybe more weight loss will finally show up on the belly, I don’t know. Anyway, I would like to hear from anyone in my situation. Did you tweak your diet, fast, wait it out (did it eventually come off), any particular exercise routines or supplements? I would love to hear both successes and struggles!

(Jay AM) #2

While bloating can be a cause from food allergies we aren’t aware of or stuff like sucralose, aspartame, erythritol, dairy, etc. I’m also not sure what you actually mean by having a belly. If you’ve lost weight everywhere else and your belly is significant (like getting mistaken for being pregnant) that can be many things. If it’s just slightly there well, you might just be a person who keeps it. Having children can cause the stomach to not be flat. I guess I’d want a picture to figure out what you mean.

That said, if it’s from bloating then systematically eliminating foods is the first step. But, there isn’t a way to spot reduce a single area. Exercise can’t hurt. If you have some goal of having a perfect flat stomach, you’ll have to be realistic. Even people with a flat stomach don’t have flat stomachs unless they’ve got very little bodyfat and hardcore abs like body builders.

(Stacy Blanchard) #3

I haven’t had that exactly, but I do think dairy can be problematic for lots of people. If you don’t want weight loss but possible redistribution of, you might want to add in some strength training.

(Pete A) #4

From the lots I’ve read it tales a long time. I’m trying to build muscle while burning the remaining jello/apron/pooch. I don’t want to lose anymore weight on the scale.

Strength training, cardio and Keto,: that be the ticket! :grinning:

Good Luck.

(Empress of the Unexpected) #5

I am doing keto, strength training and cardio. No dairy or sweeteners. I also have an issue with my triglycerides, which I think have something to do with the belly.

(Jay AM) #6

Why do you think that and what issue is it?

(Empress of the Unexpected) #7

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160926142822.htm I have read many articles like this. Both the triglycerides and the belly fat happened the year I went into menopause.

(Jay AM) #8

You didn’t say what the problem with your triglycerides is. In this article, they are saying the belly fat increase is the cause for the triglycerides problem, not the other way around. Of course, being menopausal can cause hormone imbalances. In some cases it can cause women to have male pattern fat stores. Type 2 diabetes can also cause a larger stomach.

(Empress of the Unexpected) #9

Not diabetic but my triglycerides are 209.

(Empress of the Unexpected) #10

Doesn’t keto help with hormonal imbalances? Perhaps since keto lowers trigs, my stomach will get lowered with them!

(Maha) #11

I’m not sure which site I read or heard it, probably dietdoctor.com, but menopause can cause a thickening of the stomach area. I think they said it was due to the reduction of estrogen. You might research that as a possible reason. I remember it well because I’m approaching menopause and I thought great, just when I figure out how to reduce my waist size, my hormones are going to mess it up for me in a few years.

(Empress of the Unexpected) #12

I’ve heard that too, but I really don’t want to go on hormones, bioidentical or otherwise. And I have seen women older than myself with nice figures. But I have always been an apple, not a pear.

(Maha) #13

Unless you see them in a bikini, you never know what spanx they might be wearing under their clothes, or they may have had cosmetic surgery. Or maybe they take hormones.

You’ve made excellent progress on your journey, and perhaps it’s just a matter of time for the stubborn belly to disappear.

(Empress of the Unexpected) #14

I hope so. But two of my older friends do have nice shapes, naturally. One’s secret is only a half piece of toast once a week - and no starches. But she has done it for years. :thinking: Thanks for your encouragement and support.

(Empress of the Unexpected) #15

So tempted to try hormones, though. But I had a friend who ended up in the hospital with blood clots…

(Maha) #16

If you’re not comfortable with hormones, as it sounded like it in your other comment, then doing it for cosmetic reasons might make it too risky, vs. needing to do it for health reasons. Maybe rejoice in the rest of your amazing body you created for yourself and less focus on the tummy area. I know I spent too much of my younger years worrying about one thing on my body when I actually have many great things to embrace. Like, could my thighs be slimmer, sure, but damn, I have nice eyes! I am enjoying what keto is doing for me even if all the parts aren’t fully worked out yet.

(Empress of the Unexpected) #17

You are so right, but it is not just vanity. Just ten years ago I had a perfectly flat stomach, so at this point I feel like it’s something my body is not supposed to be doing, like my diet over the last few years (combined with menopause) has screwed things up in some way. I am 60, and was rail thin ten years ago. I still feel great, and exercise, but cannot fathom how much belly I developed over the past few years. If I had bigger bones, or fatter arms, it would all balance out. But, sadly, with my skinny arms and legs, I resemble https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=olive+oyl&id=3E5397D09A18373C8105DE485759CAFB629089A8&view=detailv2&rtpu=%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dolive+oyl&FORM=IEQNAI

(Maha) #18

We all love Olive Oyl! And Olive Oil!

(Empress of the Unexpected) #19

I note there is a book by the Eades’ on taming the middle age belly. Anyone know anything about it? I’m thinking since I am already doing keto it might be redundant.

(Empress of the Unexpected) #20

Broke down and ordered it. Decided it would be a nice non-food treat for my first three months on keto. Will buy other books on the subject every three months. If someone expresses interest in the subject, I can pass the books along.