[Patagonia]

I had my last child 5 yrs ago & didn't work off the weight. After ea one it got harder & I just let it go resigned to the fact that I'm heavy.
I carry my weight everywhere, but of course it's the left over mommy belly that bothers me the most. I'm also short. 5'3".

Last month I wento the OB & got weighed. She checked it twice. I had lost 23lbs. I was really shocked. I didn't think it was that much. And although I think about my weight many many times a day I do little to get rid of it. It's a weight I should be kind of ok with. So for about a month I was happy.
Then I started to think.
I looked in the mirror & I don't really see a difference anywhere. My clothes r not that much different, just a bit so I guess I lost weight a little from everywhere Bec I don't see a difference.
My husband doesn't see it & no one has said anything to me. Even people I haven't seen for several months.
To me, this means I still look the same! Fat!

I like the change on the scale numbers but it didn't help how I feel about myself. Why! I should be happy about it & told myself I'd be happy if I got down into these numbers, but now the old voice is back saying well, you'll be happier if you lose another 20, then people will notice.

Sometimes I'm very happy with my body. I try to be confident w/ it & wear clothes that fit better & be comfortable about it. But now I feel like I'm back to square one of not being happy w/my weight or my size & it plays into my depression. I don't think I'll ever lose this belly!

Was this Bec it took me a yr to lose that weight & it was so slow that no one really noticed?
Why at my age (mid 40's) am I still concerned about stupid numbers on a scale. I've been that way my whole life & im still not comfortable with my body.

[healingme4me]

23lbs is a big deal and agreement in not noticing where or how I believe is a significant part of why you're feeling this way.

Women's heart health is largely brushed under the rug with all other health topics on the surface, but it matters.

I really found that my mindset in losing my own weight was nothing to do with weight. It started as a way to get that back disc into realignment and then it morphed into, I'd really like to make that yoga pose happen, then another, then I would really like to find an ab workout that doesn't hurt my spine and I did. I was more afraid of not being able to work and being dirt poor because of it.

I'll be honest, the noticing, does grow tiring after time.

[Jan1212]

It is progress! It may not.be noticeable if the weight is high to begin with. A high number of weight loss is normal at the beginning and fluctuations can be more than if your BMI is at the high range Comparing to a person whose BMI is at the low end.

As long as you're healthy and regularly exercising don't mind the tummy but it isn't that easy at times. I personally have insecurities as well after having a child. Again that is progress

please DO NOT quote ANY SELECTION of my post. thank you. have a good day.

[Patagonia]

Yes I think 23 is a lot & if I lost another 20 id be the weight I was in college. (Thin-ish). But my body, I guess due to age, doesn't "snap back into shape" like it used to. Gravity....age.....elasticity etc I'm sure doesn't help.

It's just something else that continually grins at me several times a day!
I go to a gym, not regularly, but I go & try. Exercising is exhausting to me. Just some days r good & then some days are not.
I just wish I didn't care about it anymore.

[Jan1212]

I wear some Spanx at times or a high waisted underwear so it won't roll over my thighs as much.

It sucks because when we gain weight fat cells replicate but when we lose weight those cells still exist but are smaller
It's normal to have that" flab" especially when sitting. I also hate that feeling when it droops

please DO NOT quote ANY SELECTION of my post. thank you. have a good day.

[Patagonia]

I think I'm going to have to look at some spanxs or something. My stomach just doesn't....go in.

I have a chance to dress up for a special occasion this Saturday. I have a dress I wore in 2012 I liked. Haven't worn it since.
I thought maybe I'd feel differently since I lost weight.

I put it on & im disappointed again. I just can't seem to win this fight of the battle with the bulge!

[eskielover]

I have been really anorexic thin & as soon as I gain any weight I get that tummy thing. 5'1" there isn't much places for weight to go other than there. I find however when I cut out all junk food I immediately loose because I'm so active even at my age & with all the injuries I've had. I still ride horses, climb fences. Physically I get around like I have all my life. I can't imagine life not being this way but could see how inactivity could cause weight gain

[Patagonia]

Originally Posted by eskielover

I have been really anorexic thin & as soon as I gain any weight I get that tummy thing. 5'1" there isn't much places for weight to go other than there. I find however when I cut out all junk food I immediately loose because I'm so active even at my age & with all the injuries I've had. I still ride horses, climb fences. Physically I get around like I have all my life. I can't imagine life not being this way but could see how inactivity could cause weight gain

Thanks but sorry this didn't help

All people on tv wear supportive "foundation" garments (call them what you will)...

No matter what size you are, if you can get the hips/waist thing going, you will look good.

I like vintage and I was reading that the dresses from that era don't look as good on women today but the reason is due to what we wear underneath, not because of our shape being different.

Take your little red dress that makes you feel special to the store and try it on over various undies. The right bra will make the area underneath look flatter. A friend has spanx (brand) but they're rather...intense. So try a couple of different brands.

Nordstrom is great for help (bra fitting) and selection.

Go be your voluptuous self at that special occasion!!

It is hard getting older. Easier to put on pounds. I am 50.