what is with this stomach pudge

cher
cher Member Posts: 25
edited June 2014 in Working on Your Fitness

I have always had the flattest stomach with no fat on it....it WAS amazing (I also have never had children) but since tamoxifen I am getting pudge and love handles. I am training for the Weekend to End Breast Cancer and am walking 7-10 km about 4-5 times a week but the pudge lingers. I try to keep things in perspective....I am alive...but anyone else got this problem???

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  • mcgaffey
    mcgaffey Member Posts: 241
    edited April 2007

    Cher, I am 60. I had a flat tummy after childbirth and until I was 55. Then it appeared. I did gain weight, but have lost most of what I gained in the past 5 years and I still have it though it is much reduced. I am a big walker and I still have it. A friend calls it a "menopot." I don't know your age. It does happen though to many women.

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  • sam408
    sam408 Member Posts: 1,099
    edited April 2007
    Although I never had a truly flat stomach (especially after having kids), last year it just seemed to let loose. It was like all of a sudden I was noticing it. I have lost about 15 pounds but the stomach seems to just stay there. My plan is to start exercising more and I'm hoping that will help.
    I just turned 50 and my sister who is 53 complains about the same thing, so I do think it is an age thing. Menopot is probably a good term for it!
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  • Pharmmom
    Pharmmom Member Posts: 300
    edited May 2007

    Anyone else notice that now if you go out to eat and get on the scale you can find that you have gained 4 pounds!!! I had the tram (2002)and I have the side fat and the butt is getting bigger. I have been walking but went out with friends for 2 days in a row and now am paying the price. Tonight I went to put pants on to go out to see my daughter in a school thing and they were tight!!!! I am sooooooo mad. I think its menopause. I really do. I hate it!

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  • mccarroll
    mccarroll Member Posts: 360
    edited May 2007
    When I was doing research about reconstruction, I thought "Great! I'll do the tram flap, and get a tummy tuck from it." Went to the PS and he said I wasn't a candidate as I didn't have FAT, I had FLAB!!! This from the same guy who, after examining my breast for immediate reconstruction, stated that we could do the surgery as my girls were "hanging" so I had enough extra skin. Gotta love a guy like that. I hit him and told him to NEVER tell a 50 year old woman that her breasts were "hanging". We all got a good laugh out of that.

    Now, post bc, chemo but still on herceptin, I think I have found the fat he was looking for. None of my pre-bc jeans fit and the pudge and love handles are excessive. I need to be more active and watch what I eat but it is so nice to have my tastebuds back, I really don't want to give anything up anymore. I agree... it's menopot!

    Karen
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  • KariLynn
    KariLynn Member Posts: 1,079
    edited May 2007

    I want lipo.

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  • PookieBear
    PookieBear Member Posts: 75
    edited May 2007
    Oh yes, that is where all my weight gain has gone.
    It is rather disgusting. I have slacked off on the exercise the last few months so that hasn't helped any.
    I am eating healthier and less but got to get back to the exercising. I have a checkup next week so I am going to discuss it with my doctor and see if she has any advice.
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  • wallycat
    wallycat Member Posts: 3,227
    edited May 2007
    I've always had a little "pudge" in my belly---even at 19 and a weight I'd kill for now.
    What I hate is my saggy back!!! How did THAT happen!!??!!
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  • Jorf
    Jorf Member Posts: 498
    edited July 2007

    I lost a bunch of weight with chemo and it's returning (needed to, really). But I'm noticing that the belly fat (which I've always had) is flabbier and goopier/cellulitier than it's ever been in the past. Isn't that going to be lovely with a bikini in Brazil this winter!? (Actually, I'll fit right in.)

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  • Linda54
    Linda54 Member Posts: 2,689
    edited March 2009

    After reading these old post I have learn a name for what I have  MENOPOT.....

    I am 55 yrs old and officially into menopause and all of a sudden this pudge shows up and it drives me crazy.  I am a runner and strength train, ride bikes and try to watch what I eat....Glad to know it has a name.....

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  • pod1257
    pod1257 Member Posts: 262
    edited March 2009

    I feel like Linda, and was just going to start a new thread, when I saw, "What is with this stomach pudge." I am glad to be alive too, but this stomach thing depresses me sooo much. I think it is 100% from lack of hormones. Add on that. thyroid problems that many women develope at menopause (I don't have that.) And it seems like a losing battle. I was dxed 2.5yrs ago at 48. Premenopausal,  lean, acitive and a fairly good diet. Then, Wham, was put on zolodex/tamox and later had ovaries out/femara.

    Especially since the ooph/femara, the spare tire won't go away. -All the rest of me is fairly muscular with this big tummy that looks like a 4-5mth pregnancy when I bend or sit down, spilling over the jeans. For the 1st time in my life, I have to camoflage the area with loose tops/longer tops. - I just hate it! Also have gained about 8 ibs (alot for a small frame), it seems like out of nowhere.

    Anyway, I am thinking in my situation, if I up my protein and decrease my carbs, it might go down some. I am not a big protein eater (mostly vegetarian) but do like a little sweet daily (know I shouldn't d/t link with cancer cell growth, high insulin).

     I notice when I have extra carb and also coffee, my stomach seems to get bigger. I am also hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) so more protein would probably be the way to go. Again, it is just kind of dscouraging to have to give up the little joys in life, like a cookie/day or some coffee, but I think i'm going to have to tighten up my eating habits.

    What have other's done with diet changes? Or does anything really help? Would love to hear.

    Julie

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  • Everlastpink
    Everlastpink Member Posts: 139
    edited March 2009

    Hi Julie,

    I don't have the answers, but wanted to commiserate. I am just like  you! I have always been active with a good, healthy diet.  I have always been on the thin side as well and never had weight trouble.  I am 46 and seemingly went through menopause (after years of perimenopause) "overnight" right after my surgery.  I had lumpectomy and SNB in Jan., mammosite, and am now on Arimidex.  I gained 10 lbs. right after the surgery, mostly from inactivity, I think. For about 6 weeks I didn't do much due to fatigue. Like you, I am small, so 5-10 lbs. is a lot for me.

    Once I started back exercising, I lost 5 right away.  But the remaining 5 is all around my belly and some back love handles.  I can't manage my pre surgery weight routine yet.  Maybe that will help.  I am also trying to do a little more cardio (2x a day instead of just once).  But no matter what I do, I can't seem to loose these last 5 lbs.  It's not the weight, it's the flab that bothers me!

    As for diet. I have always eaten kind of a combo of South Beach Diet and Mediterranean Diet.  I don't really think I need to change what I eat, but I guess I should eat less, even though I don't think I overeat now. I don't eat junk food, all fresh, so it is frustating. I already have good habits. I feel like I am living in somebody else's body!  I need to get used to this "new" body I have.

    Wish I had a good solution.  Just wanted you to know you are not alone.  Maybe someone else will have a suggestion for us.  I am like you, I really appreciate life now, and little "joys" including food are something I don't want to give up.

    Katherine

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2009

    Here are two articles that might help to explain this lovely phenomenon:

    http://www.more.com/health/fitness/are-you-stuck-with-that-spare-tire/

    https://www.health.harvard.edu/newsweek/Abdominal-fat-and-what-to-do-about-it.htm

    ~Marin

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  • Katalin
    Katalin Member Posts: 230
    edited March 2009

    So when they go for a DIEP, are they using the deep fat or the subcutaneous fat?  Anyone know?

     PS Marin, great info on fffat!  I'm emailing it to all my girlfriends who are constantly bemoaning their menopots! 

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  • Member_of_the_Club
    Member_of_the_Club Member Posts: 3,646
    edited March 2009

    Me too, sigh.  I've just started noticing this.  I run five miles most days and do abdominal crunches with an 8 pound weight on my chest and yet I have this roll of fat.  

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  • navygirl
    navygirl Member Posts: 886
    edited March 2009

    I'm going to stop complaining now..I'm not doing nearly as much exercise as you guys so of course I'm having a problem!! I have lost almost 15lbs since I finished chemo..and my belly is still relatively flat from the DIEP but I noticed that I now have "love handles" on my waist just above my hips -which I have never had before. I was curvey but not like this...they are literally love handles! I just had my ovaries taken out so I will be very, very grateful if I can just continue to lose some more weight! Even if it doesn't come off of this particular area!

    Thanks for the info ladies!! (and the boost knowing it's not my imagination)

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  • bonnievan
    bonnievan Member Posts: 14
    edited April 2009

    I never knew what love handles were until all of the BC stuff!!

    I was called "Bones" in school because I was always to skinny and always trying to gain weight.............did it all have to go to my belly????

    You mean this never goes away? Do I start shopping for stretch clothes???

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  • shan1171
    shan1171 Member Posts: 138
    edited April 2009

    Amen.  I've always carried my fat in my rear and maintained a trim waistline, now it's moved to my waist and I swear my ass is shrinking!  I'm truly disgusted with this development.  I know that I need to get my sorry butt running again, but geez, is it even going to help with this fat gut?  I'm only 37, but I know chemo did a number on my poor hormones, and as soon as I'm done with rads, Tamoxifin is going to finish the job.  I actually asked my oncologist if it would sorta go away on it's own once  I was done with chemo (which this was BEFORE I knew about the hormone therapy for five years).  She chuckled and said,"Nope, you'll have to work at it like everyone else."  I know I can't go around smacking the sh@$ outta doctors, but boy did my hand twitch!  I'm thoroughly discouraged. It's just insult to injury after all we have to go through with bc.  I know that surviving is the greatest gift of all, but why couldn't I survive it without turning into a roly poly?

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  • angeljoy
    angeljoy Member Posts: 128
    edited April 2009

    Stomach pudge... ACK!  Never had a flat tummy, but chemo and steroids and all that started the real problem.  I lost weight in the tummy after my implant exchange sugery, resulting infections, and two more surgeries(is it wrong to find myself wishing I felt sick again so I'd be skinny? lol) but now it's back and stubborn as hell.  I swear it's menopause/tamoxifen. It's annoying as all get-out. I too can gain a few pounds after one dinner out, but worse than that...I actually gained a 1/2 pound just taking a shower one day last week. How the heck does that happen?  Shan, I had to giggle at your impulse to smack the sh@$ out of that doc. Been there.

    Angela

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