Why do I always keep my fat tummy even when I loose weight. I would love to wear tight tops but even on a thin day I still have a wobbly belly. I dont want to go for a six pack, its not that attractive on a woman, but I would love to wear something other than a big baggy t shirt this summer.

Any ideas for loosing the wobble

Try Callanetics - and think about your posture. Tilt your pelvis so that your bottom is tucked under you (you have to use stomach muscles to keep your bottom tucked under) - your stomach will immediately look flatter. Counteract any tendency to lean back as a sort of counterweight to your butt by imagining that your top half is pressing against prison bars. Walk proudly - imagine you are wearing a a strapless ballgown with ruched sides so don't hunch your shoulders and don't let one side of the ballgown collapse into creases.

(I do all this stuff for dressage riding and for ballroom dancing - take up either of these activities and you'll have an instructor constantly on at you for your posture!)

I find swimming helps a lot to tone the tummy. Can you swim more?

My gym instructor just pointed out to me we all have a six pack but for most of us it is covered with fat. On telling him I was worried about doing crunches he pointed out that they do not go for that any more, they concentrate on the core strengthening muscles which support your spine. E.g gym ball exercises and the plank are typical core strengthening exercises.

Ask at your gym or someone who knows about core strengthening exercises and concentrate on these. I cannot guarantee it works as I have only just started but it is worth a try.

Hello, I shall look into getting myself a gym ball for exercising with and in the meantime will carry on doing crunches.

And more walking - good luck everyone, Margaret

Why not try Pilates or yoga? Pilates is all about core strength and makes you more aware of posture after the class/lesson too. You may need to look around for a good instructor though as all are not equal!

Also it takes some getting used to and you do need to stick with it over time.

Good luck!

Liz - don't agonise over it. Why don't you just invest in some nice wrapover tops - particularly if they're a bit ruched over the tummy area? I'm sure that's what Trinny and Susannah would say - just make the most of what you've got!

Nothing wrong with a wobbly belly.
I have 3!

you could always take up belly dancing!

I have exactly this problem too, Liz! I seem to store weight around the tummy -- I'm quite slim on most of the rest of me. I've heard swimming recommended too, and I'm going to try to do some more core exercises...

Good luck -- you're not alone!

Ali

I tried that once but unfortunately I tripped over the first one fell flat on the second one and then as luck would have it I couldnt find the dog.

You need to exercise your tummy muscles to tone them up - fat loss alone won't do it. (I am a size 8/10 but have a wobbly bit on my tummy, and it only goes with pilates-type exercises. It has to hurt to work! A bit, anyway)

Tee hee - I see The Times only included MY quote in yesterday's Body & Soul and not YOUR helpful suggestions! Naughty Ab Fabbers.

Had a laugh tonight hugging my friend who's 23 weeks pregnant. Feels good hugging someone who's got a fatter tummy than you have -I'd recommend it!

I totally agree with buying some clever tops. Keep working on it though; I do 5 or 10 minutes of crunches, planks, pushups etc everytime I'm just about to get in the shower/bath... its a good way to build it into a routine, and after about 3 weeks I have started to look a little bit flatter, and the love handles are starting to erode! But there's still plenty of wobble, it just depends what your flab tolerance level is I guess.

But in the meantime,its still worth looking nice and feeling good because with the tummy I find slow and steady does the trick, and one day 2 months down the line all the little sit ups (or whatever) will have had more of an effect than you realise.

I agree with Laura
Pilates is helping me I try to do planks, core pulling in exercises for 15 minutes every day. I hope it is helping I have lost inches from waist and hips so I think so as well as diet and exercise. If all else fails how about control pants!

What is planks? My mind is a boggling!

They may not be the sexiest item of clothing but they do their job. If your wearing something special, they do help you look that bit better. It will also help that totm bloat that some of us get.

I thought it was a yoga pose - similar to push (oops just typed pish!) ups - you have to balance on flexed feet (i.e. toes) and outstretched arms then you bend your arms and gently lower yourself until (in my case) your boobs halt your descent!

Ive got a tape called yogalate's which is a combination of Pilate's and yoga
It really gives you a good work out and you can feel It in your stomach area.Yes It Is a yoga pose exactly what you described Fiona.
See what you mean about the boobs on the descent.

You can do a half plank until your abs get stronger - balance on your knees and elbows, keeping your torso aligned (no bottoms sticking miles up into the air or sagging down to the floor - aim for straight). Hold for 10 seconds, then increase until you can hold for a minute. Full plank is on the toes and hands, like you would going into a press up, although plank is usually static. You can do side planks as well, balancing on the knees or feet depending on your strength, leaning on your lower hand with the upper straight up or on your hip for balance, keeping the waist high to work the obliques.

Planks - not to be confused with Spanx - which are something else altogether...

Of course! I remember them from Yogalates too (very good, although slightly spooky woman leading it).

You know what it's like when you can't get an image from the word... I just kept on seeing a wooden plank.

One to do when the shoulder allows. It's hard work, I seem to recall!

I'm not sure I could navigate into a pair of spanx either - can't really pull very well!

I have always had a flat tummy , then I broke my back...in two places in a fall. On the mend now , and have walked every day even if only to the end of the drive (once I was able to walk unaided ) ... At the same time I went for the total suffer thing and stopped smoking too...! put on a lot of weight which is coming off now I am walking again...but got this flabby tummy now...Anything to do with my injury or am I just using it as an excuse ! ....ANY tips would be greatfully received !

Good grief Kathryn - I would say the wobbly tummy is the least of your worries! You probably need to be very careful about what exercises you do because of your back. Do you see a physio? I think you'd need to take professional advice about what exercises you should and shouldn't do.

There are a few topics that mention cutting out certain foods like wheat and I'm sure there was something in The Times recently about foods that go straight to your belly, so to speak! Will try and find it.

Anyway, sorry for rambling - you sound as if you're doing really well - good luck!

Kathryn
Sounds like you have had a lot to cope with so just make little steps and you could always buy magic knickers. I have always had a tummy from being a teenager and then lost it when I married and was my lowest weight ever then having 2 children now 15 and 19 I have taken up pilates which helps to strengthen the core area without strain which has helped and started more walking and running. Not that this is probably what you want to hear. I do think cutting out weight can help with the tummy and buying clothes that flatter can help. Anyway all the best for now.

Kathryn, well done on your progress with regard to walking again. I would think that as you make further progress with this your weight and tummy issues will improve. You don't make it clear if you have remained successful with the smoking or rather none smoking. If you have managed this or are progressing then you will have done something really brilliant for your health during this difficult period.
Fiona has to be right on the exercise issue; much as we'd like to help, professional guidance is absolutely vital here. There might be some isometric stuff that would be acceptable for you at the moment, but please do make sure that you check anything and everything with a specialist first. A strong core will no doubt help your back, but please don't experiment on your own.
Do keep us informed on how you're getting on. Good luck with your progress - and well done on sounding so brave and cheerful in such circumstances!

I agree, Kathryn dont try exercising before seeking proffessional medical advice as you could be making it worse. But untill then stick with the control pants for those occasions when you need a llittle confidence boost, an instant and effortless option! x

i've recently started a weight training programme,alternating arms with legs,but i do my sit ups and abdominal exercises every day. my friend told me,that like any other muscle,the abdominals need a days rest in between...is this true??

Probably not Emma but see how you feel if you are doing weights. Lots of situps apparently help. I have do pilates and sit ups and core strengthening exercises which help. I am anything you do will help.

Have a look at Body&Soul next Saturday (August 30), as Times nutritionist Amanda Ursell has written an article on what to do about fat tummies: the best foods to eat, exercises to do, and the health problems which fat tums can bring.