Worth it to lose those last five pounds?

[Anonymous]

I am very slender, in pretty good shape, look good in clothes etc. but I have a pot belly. It's really only noticeable in certain dresses and bathing suits. Each time I am coming up on summer, I wonder if it is worth it to try and lose those last five pounds. It would mean cutting out cookies, biscotti, muffins, pancakes etc. which I adore. They are my one vice.

I go back and forth, is a little pot belly really so bad? Worth cutting out these delicious foods? To JUST DO IT. It will feel so good to rock a bikini/fitted dress and not be self-conscious.

Anyone BTDT? Was it worth it?

[Anonymous]

Honestly ask yourself this question: your face, or your ass?

I kid, but not really. I've noticed that women over 35 or so with no extra chubbage anywhere on their bodies have wrinkly-ass faces.

Take my mom and my MIL. Both about the same height/build. My mom is probably carrying 10 extra pounds, but her face looks amazingly fresh and smooth for her 70 years. My MIL is rail-thin (which looked good on her when she was younger, but rather skeletal today), but has a very wrinkly, "old lady looking" face.

If you really want the flat tummy, go for it...but be prepared to shrivel.

[Anonymous]

How old are you? Have you had kids?

I've had 2 kids and after breakfast, the tiny pot belly is there. So if it was me, no I wouldn't.

If you're young and have the energy and no kids yet, then sure lose 5lbs if you feel like it. You can do that in 2 weeks and you'll feel great.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't bother because, for me, losing that last 5 pounds means I have to eat like a rabbit for a month and work out like a maniac. OR I can eat like a teenage boy at my "optimal plus 5 pounds" weight. I'd rather keep the five pounds and eat what I want. My body really, really likes those five pounds right where they are and I'm not willing to fight that fight.

[Anonymous]

The thing is, OP, that last five pounds will likely come off of your whole body. You can't spot reduce. So it's not necessarily just getting rid of a little belly, it's maybe a little smaller belly and smaller all over (which it sounds like you don't need).

I can't decide how much cutting back is worth it, having already revised my diet to what I can comfortably maintain. I won't go into the realm of obsessively restricting or exercising--so if that means keeping a few extra pounds, so be it. You can pry my red wine and dark chocolate from my cold, dead hands.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How old are you? Have you had kids?

I've had 2 kids and after breakfast, the tiny pot belly is there. So if it was me, no I wouldn't.

If you're young and have the energy and no kids yet, then sure lose 5lbs if you feel like it. You can do that in 2 weeks and you'll feel great.

Losing the last five pounds in two weeks, and feeling great? Are you a man? If not, how?

[Anonymous]

Do it OP. You can do it 2 weeks to a month. You will be happy that you finally did it and the debate will be over. A little bit of sacrifice for a big gain. Then you can maintain. Done.

[Anonymous]

OP here, I am 46, done with kids, not too worried about looking drawn like a PP mentioned but only because I am round-faced.

I know I can't spot reduce, but really there is not much else for the fat to come from! I am pretty darn thin. I guess I am a classic apple shape with skinny limbs and prone to a round belly.

I don't think I'd be able to sustain it, but boy would I love to have a flat tummy just for one last summer. But I just feel like I would be a raging bitch depriving myself of every delicious thing to eat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here, I am 46, done with kids, not too worried about looking drawn like a PP mentioned but only because I am round-faced.

I know I can't spot reduce, but really there is not much else for the fat to come from! I am pretty darn thin. I guess I am a classic apple shape with skinny limbs and prone to a round belly.

I don't think I'd be able to sustain it, but boy would I love to have a flat tummy just for one last summer. But I just feel like I would be a raging bitch depriving myself of every delicious thing to eat.

If you're skinny all over, but have a belly, it could be from extra carbs and sugar. Also things like yogurt make people bloat. Cut out the carbs and sugar, but keep your calorie intake the same. Alternatively, eliminate certain foods (i.e., yogurt) for a week and see if that makes a difference in your belly.

I know yogurt makes me bloat, even the plain fat free version, but I still eat it because it's a staple in my diet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, I am 46, done with kids, not too worried about looking drawn like a PP mentioned but only because I am round-faced.

I know I can't spot reduce, but really there is not much else for the fat to come from! I am pretty darn thin. I guess I am a classic apple shape with skinny limbs and prone to a round belly.

I don't think I'd be able to sustain it, but boy would I love to have a flat tummy just for one last summer. But I just feel like I would be a raging bitch depriving myself of every delicious thing to eat.

If you're skinny all over, but have a belly, it could be from extra carbs and sugar. Also things like yogurt make people bloat. Cut out the carbs and sugar, but keep your calorie intake the same. Alternatively, eliminate certain foods (i.e., yogurt) for a week and see if that makes a difference in your belly.

I know yogurt makes me bloat, even the plain fat free version, but I still eat it because it's a staple in my diet.

Well that's the rub. I know it's the carbs and sugar. But I love carbs and sugar. They help me make it through the day! Is it worth it to cut them out and CRAVE them constantly just to have a flat tummy at 46?

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you answered your own question. Not worth it. Enjoy your body.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like you answered your own question. Not worth it. Enjoy your body.

This. It sounds like you look great! Enjoy!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here, I am 46, done with kids, not too worried about looking drawn like a PP mentioned but only because I am round-faced.

I know I can't spot reduce, but really there is not much else for the fat to come from! I am pretty darn thin. I guess I am a classic apple shape with skinny limbs and prone to a round belly.

I don't think I'd be able to sustain it, but boy would I love to have a flat tummy just for one last summer. But I just feel like I would be a raging bitch depriving myself of every delicious thing to eat.

If you're skinny all over, but have a belly, it could be from extra carbs and sugar. Also things like yogurt make people bloat. Cut out the carbs and sugar, but keep your calorie intake the same. Alternatively, eliminate certain foods (i.e., yogurt) for a week and see if that makes a difference in your belly.

I know yogurt makes me bloat, even the plain fat free version, but I still eat it because it's a staple in my diet.

Well that's the rub. I know it's the carbs and sugar. But I love carbs and sugar. They help me make it through the day! Is it worth it to cut them out and CRAVE them constantly just to have a flat tummy at 46?

Oh, haha! This is really only a question you can answer - is it worth it TO YOU?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like you answered your own question. Not worth it. Enjoy your body.

That's really sweet. I will try.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like you answered your own question. Not worth it. Enjoy your body.

This. It sounds like you look great! Enjoy!

Very sweet! Sometimes DCUM surprises me.