About That Tummy
About That Tummy
By Charlotte Siems
“What exercises can I do to help me get rid of this tummy?” “I seem to be losing everywhere but in the stomach. Help!” “My belly is my worst area!” These are common concerns for women everywhere. Two groups are especially interested in solutions for this body area: those who have had babies, and those who are entering midlife.
Having experienced the tummy that caused embarrassing questions like, “When are you due?” I understand the concerns. When I started with T-Tapp I looked like I was permanently six months pregnant (and this photo was taken after I’d lost two sizes!):
My abs measured 52”. Fat deposits and stretched-apart muscles caused an overhanging “apron” of flesh and fat that hung down. It wasn’t pretty and I was very self-conscious about it.
There’s good news and bad news about that tummy. First the bad news: my tummy was the last to go. Sometimes my stomach kept me out of the next size down as I lost inches. My hips and thighs would have fit into a smaller size but my belly needed more inch loss before I could zip the new pants.
Then the good news: be patient and consistent with T-Tapp and it will get better!
I wish I could give you the magic recipe to make YOUR tummy melt away. Hormones, health issues, body type, skin characteristics, what you eat, and T-Tapp form are all factors. But here are some things that helped my belly go from perpetually pregnant-looking to pretty darn flat:
Consistency. If you don’t know what this means, there are approximately 83 posts on my blog that mention it.
Patience. Did I get frustrated with my tummy area? Of course. Did I sometimes despair of it ever looking better? Yes. Did I give up? Absolutely not.
Brushing. I used T-Tapp’s skin brushing program from the very beginning. I had to lift my belly up to brush underneath when I started.
Alfalfa. It feeds the skin and is clinically proven by dermatologists to reverse aging of facial skin. Last time I checked, skin covers my entire body.
Lift ribs. If you watch the video, you’ll hear me say that when I asked Teresa Tapp what I could do to help my tummy, she said “Ribs lifted, lats set.” I did that a whole lot in that second year of T-Tapp (and still do). My stomach is much flatter now than it was in the second half of that 2008 video.
Remember that I have given birth twelve times. My largest baby weighed 11 lb. 10 oz. (and he is now a 6’5” college sophomore!). The way that T-Tapp has rehabilitated my abs is pretty incredible. Now it’s not a miracle and my tummy won’t see the light of day for public view, but it looks fine in clothes and I’m good with that.
There are consequences for being overweight for 25 years and bearing children. I’m willing to accept reality. And I hope you are, too.
The next time you get discouraged about slow progress with your tummy, remember that for many people, inch loss starts on the outer edges of their body and moves towards the center. Keep lifting those ribs and learning to engage muscles in your core. Stay consistent and be patient—the results for that tummy will be worth waiting for!
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 Charlotte Siems is a home-maker, home manager, T-Tapp Trainer, teacher, speaker and author. Her story of losing over 100 pounds with T-Tapp has encouraged thousands of people all over the world. She specializes in making home management and T-Tapp “doable” for real people and real life. She is happy to be a wife and mother of twelve children whom she has successfully taught at home for 25 years. |
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I’m convinced that being conscious of having ribs up and lats set as I have gone throughout my day (not just my workout) this first year of t-tapp is one of the ways my body has allowed my chronically bad lower back to heal. This is the first year in almost 20 years that I have lived a pain free lifestyle! I sometimes still have twinges of a weak back (stemming from a weak core) but NOTHING like it used to be. I’m very grateful.
Thank you, dear! Such a timely post. As usual?
Thank you Charlotte for the encouraging and enlightening posts. I attended your Stillwater ‘form tweaking’ class last week. I cannot tell you how glad I am that I attended. Your adjustments to my form have made such a difference in how my body feels as I exercise. I am sure it will make a difference in how my body responds as well. Your posts also reflect your attention to your pupils. Comments are timely and encouraging. You are an inspiration to me to ‘keep on keeping on’. Thank you.
Thanks Charlotte! What wonderful encouragement!
That’s exactly what I’ve been going through… loss from edges toward the middle. 🙂
Lift ribs and keep TTappin’
Thanks for your good words and your constant encouragement!
Thanks for the reminder! After an incredibly hetic summer with barely a full workout, it’s good to get a remotivating reminder!
I am so excited to read about your experience because it confirms my own. I have lost five inches off each thigh but only 2 inches from my upper abs. I wondered about loosing from the periphery first but no one else seemed to know about it. I believe it will be easier to keep working out having the hope that the abs are going to get smaller later. Thank you sooo much. I feel so validated.
So glad to encourage you all–true story!
Thanks for that encouragement Charlotte. My 7th baby is almost 9 months now and I feel discouraged like never before. When I do look at you and your experience, it gives me hope 🙂
Hi Charlotte!! I have nine children and my 6th was 11 1/2 pounds. I also have a 6’4″ college sophomore. Your story is very encouraging. I’ve been T-Tapping for about three months, and it is exactly what I needed for so many reasons.
Donna, hang in there! My tummy was the last to go, but bless its heart, it’s been through a lot! Be patient and stay consistent!
Hi Charolette, could you give some specif tips on what you mean by lifting ribs and setting lats? I’m having trouble figuring out what that feels like. Thanks!
Hi Diana,
Lifting ribs is really just good, tall posture, keeping the entire spine as long and straight as possible. Weak abs want to let the ribs sink down into hips, causing the belly to relax and pooch out. When you stand up tall and straight, you not only look more confident, younger and slimmer, the muscles on the sides of your back (lats) tighten and are engaged. Chest will be out, shoulders gracefully back. Hope this helps! (I slumped when I walked and sat for years so it took a while to get used to this!)
Thank you so much for your quick reply! I see what you mean and can really tell how far off my posture is from this. I am exclusively breastfeeding our second baby so I seem to feel perpetually hunched. Actually pulling myself up helped me see where I am and where I need to work to be! Thanks again!
I am wondering about your “after” picture? 🙂 🙂