Disorder?

I've lost 25-30 lbs in a year, which I am happy about. I am 5'9 and now weigh 130lbs. It says my BMI is 1 point away from being underweight but whenever I look in the mirror at my stomach I can't stand it! I get so angry and almsot start to cry! It seems as if my belly is the biggest part on me but everyone tells me I look skinny! i don't get it and will doing ab workouts make it flatter? How many times a day do I have to work my abs to make them flat? Because doing it once a day doesn't seem to be doing anything and i'm starting to become seriously depressed and I need help!

Tue. Mar 4, 4:52pm

Google "body dysmorphic disorder", sounds like you're a classic case.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008, 4:54 PM

Nope, you don't have a disorder -- you have a certain kind of genetics. Believe me, at 5' 4" and 117 lbs, my stomach sticks out. My body fat is at the low end of healthy, my muscles are ripped.... everywhere but my stomach. I swear, if I was starved to death and had one single ounce of fat anywhere in my body, it would be one left on my stomach! I could work my abs hours a day and I'd have..... strong abs. Underneath a blob of fat.

It's just our bad luck that the "ideal" sold to us is flat stomach/washboard abs. In reality, some people come in different shapes.

The good news is, nobody cares about your tummy! (As you are finding, when your friends tell you that you look slender.) Just let it go. It's time to be happy with what you have -- weight lost, good habits, and good friends!

Tuesday, March 4, 2008, 5:26 PM

My sister has the same problem. You need to learn to love yourself, or your life will always revolve around this and people will start to get annoyed with you really quickly.

PS - Working out your abs every day will not do any good.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008, 5:26 PM

In case this sort of thing matters to you, most men actually love a soft little belly.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008, 6:17 PM

Even when I was wearing a size 1/3 in jrs and was really thin I still had a belly. My tummy was never flat as a board. It didn't bother me though, I always thought it made me look soft and curvy. Now I have a tummy, after years of yo-yoing between 230 and 165 and 2 kids, my tummy will never be the same. How I wish I had that tiny little pooch of a belly now. But in my case I am now 160 and my highest was 230, but I definitely have a body image disorder cause when I look in the mirror I still see the big fatter version of myself.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008, 6:46 PM

everyone says that men love 'curvy' women. curvy to them is a tiny waist, big butt and bigg boobs. atleast thats how it seems! lol but thank you for that comment!

Tuesday, March 4, 2008, 6:54 PM

No, seriously, I've had men tell me they "love a little pot belly, it's so cute and sexy". And they were speaking in general terms, not about me - I had a monster stomach at the time.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008, 7:37 PM

Guy here... for what it's worth. A healthy woman with a pot belly is very sexy.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008, 9:48 PM

Related Content: How To Lose Weight- The Basics Weight Watchers Points System The Fat Smash Diet The Eat To Live Diet The Beck Diet Solution How To Get The Motivation To Lose Weight		How To Be Successful Using PEERtrainer How To Burn Fat Online Weight Loss Support- How It Works Does Green Tea Help You Lose Weight? Tips On Using PEERtrainer Visit The PEERtrainer Community Diet and Fitness Resources
Fitness Weight Watchers Meetings Learning To Inspire Others: You Already Are Writing Down Your Daily Workouts Spending Money On A Personal Trainer? How I Became A Marathon Runner		Preventive Health How To Prevent Injuries During Your Workout Flu Season: Should You Take The Flu Shot? Are You Really Ready To Start PEERtrainer? Super Foods That Can Boost Your Energy Reversing Disease Through Nutrition
New Diet and Fitness Articles: Weight Watchers Points Plus How To Adjust Your Body To Exercise New: Weight Watchers Momentum Program New: PEERtrainer Blog Archive Review Of The New Weight Watchers Momentum Program		Weight Loss Motivation by Joshua Wayne: Why Simple Goal Setting Is Not Enough How To Delay Short Term Gratification How To Stay Motivated How To Exercise With A Busy Schedule
Real World Nutrition and Fitness Questions Can Weight Lifting Help You Lose Weight? Are Protein Drinks Safe? Nutrition As Medicine?		Everyday Weight Loss Tips How To Eat Healthy At A Party How To Eat Out And Still Lose Weight The Three Bite Rule Tips On How To Stop A Binge