So I'm a skinny gal (5'5, 122 lbs, wear size 2 or 5 depending on the brand of jeans, 34A bra) but sadly, I have a terrible muffin top. I can no longer wear my size Small shirts b/c of it (the muffin shows bad. I put on a beautiful top the other day to wear to a party, I thought I looked pretty.... UNTIL I looked in the mirror and realized my muffin top was showing! I had to change shirts. :P ) If they made high-rise pants that looked good on you, I could wear those and therefore hide the muffin top, but as it is, I my size 2's ride low and I am constantly trying to pull them up a little higher. Larger pants fall off of me, smaller pants don't fit over my thighs and butt. So what's a girl to do? Are crunches my only hope? Those hurt my back so bad (I know, lame excuse, get over yourself Jess!) I know for sure I need to get into an exercise routine, but I don't really want/need to lose weight - just the muffin top. Any other ladies with this problem? Any words of advice from anyone? I need some motivation.
Well ladies, I am very surprised because I didn't think any of you would mention buying new clothes. HA. I guess I had not really considered that. But many of you did mention the fact that I need to reconsider my wardrobe. What stores?? Molly - I have never heard of the "Buckle" store. I normally shop at Old Navy and Target. Whenever I go to try on new pants, and I try on a bigger size, they fall off of me OR the front crotch area has a ton of extra fabric that bunches up in the front (I don't have that low belly-bikini-area pooch). Tracy - perhaps Old Navy I am a 2. Anything larger at Old Navy and someone could easily pants me (my 3 yr old). Belive me, I've tried on larger sizes. At Target I am a size 5. Maybe next time I'm there I can try on a 7. I have never fit into anything bigger than a 5 except for when I was pregnant. Jo - I appreciate your comment about hips. I must be a very disproportionate gal as far as my body goes. And for whoever said I am aneorexic - Really? I just checked my BMI online and I am at the 19-20 range and that is considered normal. I may be 5'6", but that still leaves me in the "normal" range.
Anyways -- so other than a shopping trip, it seems most of you say I need to get some cardio and some pilates/yoga going. I will start that ASAP. I also need to cut my sugar, which I think I've done a pretty good job doing now that I am down to 1-2 sodas a week instead of my 7-8 sodas a week. I really don't indulge much in sweets. If I don't buy them, then I can't eat them. Spanx - I might consider that if the 'less sugar, more exercise, new clothes' don't work. And Lipo? Well I would doubt any doctor would even consider liposuctioning 2 lbs of belly fat off of a person who's in the 'normal' bmi range. But thanks for the response anyways.
Belly fat is diet related. Cut out sugar and processed foods.
Add green smoothies and eat 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables.
Definitely no lipo!
All I have to say is a heare ya! We are about the same age and I have just started working out in hopes that it helps. I did also go up a pants size, it helps, as well as NOT wearing juniors pants/shorts any more because that seemed to make the muffin top worse (need adult sizes). Banana Republic and the Gap jeans have fit me the best, they are a little higher then low rise but are not mom jeans.
I have the same problem. (5'7", 128lbs, it fluxuates, but have a muffin top since my 2nd baby) Have you tried Pilates? I have a DVD from Target...it breaks it down to 10 minute increments. You can do one, or all if you have time and I know it helped me when I actually made the time to do it. ;)
5'5, 122 lbs is not a size 2. I'm sorry, its not. You think bigger pants dont fit because you like your jeans really tight. Low rise tight jeans are not appropriate for everybody. I'm not suggesting you buy mom jeans, but they call them mom jeans for a reason. Moms need a higher cut to hold everything in. Try a differant style of jeans that is not low rise and go up a size. Look for excercies that isolate your sides, thats where muffin top really shows.
that sounded harsh and i didnt mean it to. I apologize.
I am sorry, but at 122 lbs and 5'5 you don't need to diet, you need to find better fitting pants. Our bodies change with age and pregnancy and we just don't have the same shape as before, even if we're not overweight. The same cut of jeans that you wore as a 20 year old just won't do anymore when you get older.
Either try a number of different cut pants your self or go to a department store with experienced staff to help you find a better style for you... and be sure not to wear your clothes too small.
Whoa! How the heck is Obama getting thrown under the bus here? Amazing how he gets pulled into situations that have nothing to do with him!! Typical...
What I have found is it isn't all to do with weight. I have a little extra weight but never have a muffin top. The reason is wide hip bones. Yeah I am a curvy lass. I can keep up the correct size jeans. Those with narrow hip bones have to buy a smaller size than they really should wear just to keep them from falling down which creates the muffin top.
Yes there are others that are just in denial but there are also some that those darn jeans are just not made for their bodies.
So far as workouts go, my go to is walking with your abs engaged. Burns tons of calories and tones your abs. I love multitasking. :) Oh I am sorry I assumed people knew what engaged is, suck in your gut and hold it while you walk. Works the front and the back, as my trainer put it works the girdle. :p Oh you can also do it anytime you think about it, not just when working out. Improves your posture too. :)
I hate low rise pants - I can't wait till the trend dies out again (it wasn't pretty in the 60's either).
I also hate short waist shirts and all the belly button flashing (I'll never forgive Brittany Spears for this).
There are some lovely tunic tops that will cover your muffin top, and there are pants that fit better (with higher waists) that won't squeeze the fat/skin out over the top.
At 5'5", 118 pounds would make you anorexic - you are at the very lowest range for a healthy BMI, I wouldn't go any lower.
Trying to dress in clothes that were fine when we were teens is a faux pax when you get to your 30's - time to clean out that closet.
Certainly trying to work off the muffin top is a solution.
But I also think it's your jeans. You said yourself that they are low-rise, so by their design, they ride below the muffin top, thus emphasizing it.
I know you don't want to wear 'mom jeans' and you can't really go up sizes... but I would suggest trying on a bunch of jeans with *slightly* higher rises than low rise. I'd look for a jean that still rides below the belly button, but cuts right across the bulkier area, thus concealing it by keeping it tucked in. It's amazing how a pair of jeans that cuts right across the muffin top area will smooth everything out, and make those cute tops look terrific!
You may have to try on a bunch of different jeans (different stores, cuts, rises) before you find the *right* pair, but I definitely think that a slightly higher rise will help conceal the muffin top immensely.
Low rise jeans are notorious for exaggerating muffin tops. I'd find different jeans.
You can do sit ups all day and all you will be doing is toning the muscles UNDER the fat layer. Unfortunately, the muffin top or midsection fat is the hardest and most stubborn to burn b/c the reason we have some fat there is to protect our internal organs. Cardio baby... anything that raises your heart rate is what will be more successful in burning off the muffin. I like running for my cardio and it's enjoyable.
And I like to call my muffin my cupcake.... sounds way cuter!!!! Good luck!! I'm always saying since my son is 6 I guess I'm losing the I had a baby excuse. :-)
Hi Jess!
The only thing that has actually helped my belly is cardio. Whenever I would do a lot of sit ups before losing the weight, it would develope muscle under the fat and push the fat out more! Tredmill is your friend sister! On an incline its also great for the legs. Also, if you have a Buckle store in your area, I suggest going there and getting fitted for jeans. The staff is amazing and the jeans will rock your world! They are pricey, but just a couple pairs will last you forever. Good luck!
according to my trainer friend, cardio is the only way to go here. you have to burn off the fat before toning the muscle will make any difference.
If you can't run outside, try Jillian Michaels 30 day shred. I have heard great things from friends who have tried it. I don't have the patience or the energy to fight my kids while trying to do indoor routines- so I run. I am not a good runner mind you, but i do what I can. Another good routine that I don't know if you can find or not was the Cindy Crawford video from the early 90s!! Don't know if it made it to DVD though :)
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I can't imagine that you have a terrible muffin top at 5'5 and 122 pounds! That sounds pretty skinny to me. I'm 5'4, 125 lbs and am relatively small. I haven't read through all the posts, but sounds like you probably just need to change the style of the jeans/pants that you wear (I saw your other posts about types of jeans). I cringe at the thought of paying a lot of money for jeans, but you really do get what you pay for. You will get a much better fit if you invest in a higher quality jean.
Wear longer tops, looser tops! There are really pretty, stylish blouses out there that you can look and feel great in without the tight stretch that would emphasise a muffin top.
Jo W can you give us a lesson on walking with your abs engaged?
I'm in your same boat! I wouldn't call it a muffin top, but more of an untoned poochy tummy. ;)
I'm 5'2" at 106 with 34a boobs, no butt and a pooch. Crunches suck, but I think it might be the only way to go.. I hope you get some good advice! I'll be checking back in! :)
The older you get, the harder it will be to get rid of your muffin top. I know it's hot - I live in N Tex and work outside most days. If you get up off your butt and spend some time working out - running, walking, yoga & pilates - you can get back to where you want to be. This didn't happen overnight and will not go away overnight. Honestly, you may never get rid of it - this is biologically what happens when women have babies - it's rough on the body. Those women you see on TV and in Mags have personal trainers, nutritionists and PhotoShop to help them out. But the bottom line is EAT BETTER and WORK ON IT. Otherwise you'll look in the mirror in a few years and wish you looked 1/2 as good as you do now.
I agree with Dawn--get you some LIPO!
Well, if you're not going to "get off of your butt and take care of it yourself", lipo might not be as expensive as you might think: Avg cost $2200 (roughly 8% less in the south, would put you at about $2000....) Here's a website with pricing info:
www.costhelper.com/cost/health/liposuction.html
Actually, to be a good candidate for lipo--you need to have lost weight the old fashioned way--and it targets ONLY spots that have not responded to overall weight loss or maintenance--so really, you'd be the PERFECT candidate!
Limit carbs in the evening, switch to whole wheat (not whole grains)
I am thin. I have always been small. At age 45 I am 5'3 and weigh about 107. I work out a lot because I enjoy it, not for weight reasons. What I have noticed over the years though is that during periods where I did not workout much, my body changed. I didn't necessarily gain weight but muscle tone changed and I get more of a belly. My guess is that if you find some sort of workout you can do on a regular basis, you will find that your shape will change. I love yoga and it works everything. If you have cable, try looking for a fitness channel like Fit TV, you will be able to sample various workouts to see what you like. Key is finding something you enjoy or at least don't hate doing.
I had issues with the same thing after my first born. I used spanx Lol they really hold in the belly while working on problem areas. I also used the ab circle which really targets the belly and love handles. Now it's not easy work the infomercial makes it look so easy but it is very hard. But after a couple months my pretty waist started to reappear and I'm sure it will with you too. And yes I believe you wear a size 2 I was about 120 lbs and a couple inches shorter then you and certain brands I could also wear a 2-4. Old navy and American eagle sizes I could always wear a smaller size which made me feel wonderful about myself. everybody's body is made different which sum people don't understand. Good luck
I'm thin and tall. I have an impossible time finding pants to fit me.
Oh....I find pants that fit, but they are all so low rise and I don't have a belly, but I'm 48 and I'm not comfortable wearing pants that are cut that low. Plus, I feel like they are going to fall off.
I ordered some jeans on HSN because they were cut higher. I ordered size 2. I really like the fact that they are higher in the waist, but they were still a little big in the legs, rump and thigh. They have some stretch to them as well. I'm going to keep them because they don't fit bad, I just would like a smaller size. I'm built kind of like a stick.
Anyway, you can PM me if you want and I can tell you what brand they are, etc. when I get home from work tonight.
Hi jess-
I am looking forward to your answers here as well...It seems my body has finally done another 'post mid life shuffle'...and I find myself with a 'muffin' top...although on me...looks more life an 'inner tube' (or child flotation device??? LOL)
Best luck!
Michele/cat
j
