OP here, thank you so much for everyone's help! My mom has always been thin with a belly so I guess it is genetic. I don't do weights much, but I could try it once we're safely out of quarantine. It doesn't bother me much, but I've always been amazed by women with toned abs, and I was just wondering if I were missing something everyone else knew!

Me too. To all those giving workout or diet advice: won’t help. This is genetic. All the women in my family have it. My mother did liposuction which is the only thing that fixed the problem. But she regrets it because now she gains fat in her waistline whereas before she has a tiny waist.

Anonymous wrote:I've always been naturally thin, and now I'm fairly toned because I exercise to relieve stress except for my sad belly. I'm in 30's and 115 pounds. I do ab exercises which have led to my ribs showing, but it's like I have a stripe of pudge in the middle of my stomach. Is there anything I can do about that, or is it genetic? I do eat a lot, but it is mostly a vegan diet (because of my love of animals not because I'm trying to lose weight) with not that much protein. Thanks so much!

Same weight, same diet, same problem - it's genetic. Eating less carbs helps, but I never cared enough to be consistent.

Anonymous wrote:only way to to spot reduce is liposuction.

This is not fat, tho.

NP here.

Ha, I have this issue too with a protruding belly. I've been mistaken for pregnant many times. I'm 5'3", 120 pounds, solid muscle from a lifetime of being an athlete (HS, college, triathlons as an adult-- I'm 38). "No, I am not 5 months pregnant, that is the shape of my body."

Just own it. I’m built like this too and thought I was so fat. Looking back at old pics, I was soft and sexy. As long as you’re in overall good shape, it doesn’t matter.

Even when i was 5'2" and 105 and rock solid muscle I had a little pot belly. It's genetic.

I’m like this too, similar weight and 5’ 5”. I’ve always had a tummy pudge. I think part of it is having a short torso for my height. I lift heavy (like, deadlift 225) and peloton most days, eat mostly paleo, etc. (btw I do all that because I like the lifestyle and love exercise, not for vanity reasons) But now in my late 30s I’m starting to accept I will never, ever have a totally flat or toned stomach.

You could probably stand to eat more protein but I might just give up on focusing on that one part of your body.

only way to to spot reduce is liposuction.

It's genetic most likely. We're all slim in the family, I've always had this, and my mother and aunts are like this too, even the ones that are skeletally thin. When I was working out a lot and had a six-pack, you could only see a 5-pack because of the pudge!

It's annoying.

Are you lifting heavy? If you're not, you could modify your exercise routine in that regard to try to put on some muscle. You could add in protein powder and creatine if you really want. Beyond that...there are drugs, but I'm sure you look fine.

Anonymous wrote:It’s probably your uterus.

?? No, not likely your uterus. Most likely central adiposity which is very common and hard to get rid of!

It’s probably your uterus.

Because you are a woman and women hold a little fat in certain places because that’s who we are. You can still be sexy with that, just own it.

I've always been naturally thin, and now I'm fairly toned because I exercise to relieve stress except for my sad belly. I'm in 30's and 115 pounds. I do ab exercises which have led to my ribs showing, but it's like I have a stripe of pudge in the middle of my stomach. Is there anything I can do about that, or is it genetic? I do eat a lot, but it is mostly a vegan diet (because of my love of animals not because I'm trying to lose weight) with not that much protein. Thanks so much!