Weight/stomache Issue

Have you tried wearing a pedometer? I set a goal of 10000 steps a day with one or two days off per week, to get the baby weight off. It worked because it got me back into the habit of MOVING a lot. It doesn't have to be hard or intense, just walking! It adds up and it works. Slow and steady... good luck!

No, it won't spread out.... unless you make some serious diet/exercise changes it will just keep getting bigger and bigger. If you gain a lot of weight then yes, it will start gaining on other parts of your body too, but no, it will never just spread out to make everything look 'a little' bigger rather than one area looking big.

I'm an 18W (which is just a Mkt. ploy... if you're a W, you're really just a size bigger i.e. 20!) and I have a big stomach AND a big bottom... not easy to dress. Don't continue to kid yourself, a 16/18 is VERY large/heavy... get on it before you're a 20 like me!!!

I once got up to a size 16, and yeah - that was considered obese for my height. I totally changed my diet (ie lifestyle). The abdominal fat is indicative of metabolic syndrome and associated with more insulin resistance and even Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Fructose is metabolized by our liver the same way alcohol is and does as much damage to it. That's why even children are now getting it and that can even necessitate liver transplants down the line ( see: http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/video?id=8095017 ).

There is no "magic bullet" for us but to take this very seriously and eliminate sugary, fat and processed foods, and get moving. Even 3 ten-minute walks per day can benefit us, but the more we move, the better.

Instead of just sitting and watching your favorite show, exercise throughout your show while watching it - do weights, stretching, leg lifts, squats... even step in place - it doesn't matter. What does is we are not sedentary and/or eating.

You may want to discuss with your doctor or even consult with an Integrative Medical specialist. Sometimes we have medical issues contributing to our weight issues such as thyroid, cortisol, or an inflammatory process. You may be bloated and uncomfortable even from food sensitivities. And if we don't sleep well, we can feel tired and HUNGRY from the tiredness as our body thinks we need more quick fuel to combat the fatigue. We then reach for that quick fuel which is often junky and just perpetuates our problem.

Many of us have been where you are, and many of us are still struggling. It is so hard in the world we live in, especially after we have become accustomed to (or addicted to) the normal "SAD" - "Standard American Diet."

You really should get evaluated by a doctor to start with.

And don't rule out healing any intestinal problems you may have (see http://itsnotmental.blogspot.com/2011/03/gut-brain-and-ba... ) and possibly even taking digestive enzymes, etc.

Eliminating all processed foods is difficult, but the closer we get to that ideal, the better off we may be.

Go to your primare care and have him take a look and feel. Could be something going on (like iritable bowel and gas/bloating) or it could be genetics. He will be able to rule disease out. Just be sure to tell him about any stomach problems you might experience (constipation, etc.). Good luck.

And on special occasions, there is always Spanx! :)

where your weight hangs is genetic. so you cannot control WHERE it goes, but you can control HOW it goes. genetically, I have horrible hips! no matter how skinny i get; the hips stay. annoying.

i think that 16/18 *is* heavy. and i say that gently with an understanding and expertise in health/nutrition & fitness. there are risks involved with being a 16+ bc you literally double and triple your chances of heart attack, disease and high blood pressure... all of which take YEARS off your life.

I promise this is not an attack but the only sure-fire way to combat the belly is to safely begin losing weight.

i HIGHLY recommend sparkpeople.com (free app for phones) and a free website... or www.livestrong.com (which you pay for membership but I find it to be the most true and helpful).

the ideal caloric intake is about 2,000 a day and so many of us reach that by 3pm leaving dinner to tip us way over the scale bc dinner is usually our highest intake of calories since its usually a protien + carbs and most of us put more effort into our dinners.

if you want to LOSE weight, the ideal plan would be 1500-1800 calories a day. I know that can be hard but once you start tracking everything you take in, you'll have a better understanding of your body and weight. it could take a few weeks to get used to but the outcome is health!

EXACTLY what Jeanie W. said . . .

And not to sound harsh but I would be alarmed if I were a 16/18. I'm really upset at a size 10, mainly because I feel crappy at 150 lbs. I got into P90X in the spring and lost from 155 to 142, and was amazed at the difference in how I felt. But, I've lightened up and my weight has crept back up some. :( So yes, it has to be a lifestyle change.

I just bought a fitbit (www.fitbit.com) and it is an amazing little gadget. Though it's pricey so far it's been worth it. Makes me much more aware of how much I'm moving, eating, etc.

Every body gains weight differently; some only gain in the tummy where others will gain in the legs etc... Also, weight gain happens differently with age and after you have children. It sounds like a "normal" weight gain, but if you have any questions I would consult with a doctor. If you are trying to do something about your weight gain, I would highly recommend the website:
www.sparkpeople.com
It has been really great for me with my struggles to get off my pregnancy pounds that have decided to stick around for months and months. It is a motivational website that cheers you on with baby steps and it has really helped me to live a healthier lifestyle.

PS- I have an ugly back fat roll under my bra strap . . . those things are pesky and I feel your pain!

I was just reading in Parents magazine about rehabbing your abs after having a child. Pregnancy really does a number on our abdominal muscles and core. Try doing core strengthening exercises like pilates or yoga. Cardio can really help too, and is really the best way to get rid of the rolls and the pouch. But the core strengthening moves will help with posture and pull it all together. Good luck to you!

I dont think it will even out and I agree with S.N - 16/18 is heavy enough to worry about and you should get on it before it gets worse. Its better to start making some changes when you are a size 18 than a size 22.

Pick one "indulgence" and get rid of it - soda, or candy, or chips, completely. Substitute fruit or water or yogurt.

Start walking 30 minutes a day, 3-5 days a week, and see what happens.

If your weight stays the same, dont feel frustrated, feel relieved that you are not gaining.

If you are still not happy with how you look, consider weight watchers. I lost 16 pounds in 6 weeks, and dropped from a size 8 to a 4 (no - still not really skinny - I'm just a short, small framed person to begin with). It was DEFINITELY fun to be able to wear tank tops this summer and such a relief not to see my grandmother's body reflected at me in store windows as I walked by.

Also, I've read that people who put weight on on their stomach are more at risk for diabetes. My grandmother died from diabetes complications a few years ago, a year or two after her leg was amputated.

I know, I know.. Harsh answer. But you expressed concern and you asked. So get walking... :)

I'm a size 7/8 and I know I need to lose 5-7 lbs. I TRY to eat good and I workout at lease 4 days a week. I did not do well in August with my working out and it shows. You should not be asking if the fat will even out, you should be looking into eating healthier and exercising. Not just to lose the excess weight, but to keep things like your heart, lungs, knees and so on healthy. Plus, the rest of your family may want to join in on your life style changes which could lead to a positive effect on all of them.

Think about whether there could be any health issues tied to the weight gain in that area, such as those mentioned below.

Also, I've found doing a combo of aerobic (biking, walking) and core exercises (pilates, yoga, things that target stomach area and back muscles) really helps. If I miss a week of doing these, I notice I get flabby. This area has become an issue for me suddenly now that I'm in my 40s. I never used to gain in this area. Not sure how old you are, but that may also be something to consider.