Okay, so I reached my original goal of 135 pounds. I kept losing as I tried to figure out my maintenance intake level and I modified my goal to 130 pounds. I've slipped still further to 125 pounds. I definitely don't want to weigh any less than that, but my stomach still looks flabby! It's bad enough when I stand up straight--I'd equate the lower abdominal bulge to someone else's 3rd month of pregnancy. But a couple of weeks ago I saw myself in the mirror when leaning forward, and the skin hanging down was just gross!

I can't do abdominal crunches since moving my head like that makes me dizzy. I suspect that the only way to truly take care of this would be surgery. But I feel really nutty even considering such a frivolous use of money! If I even had that much (and I don't know how much it would be), I don't think I could justify spending it on cosmetic surgery.

I've heard that anorexics get obsessed with thinking that particular body parts are fat, even when they are just the opposite. I don't want to get going down that road. Any tips on how to feel comfortable with myself as I am?

Look at that little "pooch" as a badge of honor?!?! At least it's not full anymore! And if that's doesn't help, they make great shaping garments that will help you look perfect in your clothes.

And it may go away with time. When you lose weight, I've heard that the extra skin is the last thing to go!

Congrats on your success.

One thing you can do is try toning. It won't do much for the skin, but it can help fill you out some with muscle. There are tons of exercises that will strengthen your abs without having to do crunches.

One of the easiest things to do: flex. Try to walk around with your abs flexed. When you do your aerobic exercise, flex those muscles. And sit up straight. This will strengthen your core muscles. You'll be surprised at the difference it can make. You might also try yoga.

Hope this helps.

I understand what you mean because I have the same problem mostly because of pregnancies. Muscle is not skin and skin is not fat, but you can do something to eliminate some of it. Lie on your back and put your knees to your chest or as close to your chest as you can then lift your lower back or butt off the ground. Try to use your lower stomach to pull you up. After a while your stomach gets strong enough to handle this. Plus BREATH! Don't hold your breath while doing these. Leave your head resting on the floor when you do this exercise. I'm going to tell you that the truly only best exercise for making your stomach look smaller is holding it in while working, grocery shopping, etc... That is what makes anyone even those who are skinny look thinner. My husband is not fat but he does not keep his tummy in causing him to look like he has a big belly. When I get thinner and am not happy with my loose skin on my stomach I will get a tummy tuck. Do what you think is right. And for spending money on surgery for your tummy--- You spend money to lose weight...that wasn't frivolis. Also we spend money on our hair nails clothes and it comes to way more than the surgery would be. But if you decide to do the surgery study up for a long time before really going in and getting it done. Don't go to somebody because they are cheap and will give you a quick job. The reason for weight loss is so we will stop jiggling and feel better about ourselves but some of us because we have lost so much after our skin is stretched we need some kind of help. A lot of women and men get things done to them after loosing a lot of weight because like their chin is still saggy because of the stretched skin or their chest is saggy so they get a lift or implants or their tummy is still saggy. I know what you mean about leaning over and having that weird looking sag almost like a cows udder. I know I know! I hate it too but thank God my husband doesn't care. But I do and will see how I feel in the long run. Just pray and look around on the internet and in your town because you don't want to say no or yes to something you don't know much about. If I were you I'd say go study it!:freedom:

Jessica, Bryant and Privatewill, thanks for your helpful suggestions. I've heard before about holding your abdominal muscles in, but I've gotten lazy about it. It seems to take a lot of concentration to hold them in and still breathe properly! So I will try to remind myself to do that more.

As far as an decisions on surgery, I really feel like I need to have kept the weight off for at least two years before I consider anything that intense. As it is my husband would like another baby (I'm definitely leaning towards not , but will have to see how that negotiation turns out!8-| ). So I also want to be certain that I won't be pregnant again before I really evaluate the surgical route.

Lutha I got a the belly hang and I know how you feel my problem runs deeper then that, I mean I have been over weight all my life I loose I gain I loose 278 was the huges I have ever been. and to top it off I have had two C sections. the first one was an emergancy and the cut was vertical, and 2nd one the cut was normal so there is NO way NO hope of that belly ever going back to somewhat of a normal size I look at it everyday, and I do not want to sound vain but I am concidering the surgry I have to have it I am going to have it when this weight comes off there is do DOUGH in my mind I just do not want lipo. I heard to much bad things. but anyways for you, I hope things work out, keep up the good work and keep positive

Anita :rose:

Hey whats going on? Well I read your post and hey im 17 yrs old and am 135 and thats my only problem area.. the flabby tummy and HEY lol I havent had kids!! anyway I agree with tyhe replies on here that say go for toning and not losing anymore weight. my goal is to get down to 125 or 120 how did you do it?! by the way congrats :-)

I too have experienced that belly thing...even after 3 years of step-training and interval training. I did crunches as well, but nothing seemed to rid me of that little pouch...

I then tried the pilates tapes with Jennifer Kries, and although form is rough..BUT very important, I have finally got the jist of the breathing and "core" thing. The pouch is disappearing AND my arms have never looked so good! My friend actually noticed the shape of my arms the other day and said she was jealous!!!!!!!

The breathing/form thing has also helped alot with my other workouts and made them more efficient..