I'm losing weight and I know I am because my pants are not as tight. However, I feel like my belly is protruding more. I don't know if it's an illusion or what's happening, but that's what it looks like. Have any of you experienced this?

Background: I carry my weight in my bottom half so I notice when my belly is protruding more than usual or not, but usually it's because I had gained weight, not lost it.

You might be just adding curves...

I've also heard (but never researched) that fat can be behind muscle. I see this in guys a lot. Try taking measurements as well as weight loss.

Perhaps it's just bloating from eating healthy, fiber-rich foods?

Could be a lot of things:

- At the moment you're losing more in the rest of your body than your waist so it sticks out more.
- The density of the fat loss in your waist is less but it's still roughly the same size. Basically it's become jigglier.
- You might have lost more visceral fat (the fat around your organs) then subcutaneous fat (the fat underneath your skin). So the width is smaller but you're still seeing the protrusion.
- Could be the effects of your diet. If you're eating foods that have more volume but less calories your bell has to digest that! Also, like others have said it could be from more fiber-rich foods (like beans, salads, whole grains etc).

Basically, if you're losing weight I wouldn't worry about it too much. I've experienced it too and normally it's just a matter of being at a bit of an "awkward stage" when it comes to your weight loss. Eventually with further loss your stomach will shrink too. Unfortunately we can't pick and choose where those loses come from.

Thanks guys for your replies. Looks like it's nothing to worry about so I'll just keep doing want I'm doing.

I wish you could pick and choose where you lost weight from lol. Would love to keep my current cup size :P

I have lost a pants size and the new smaller ones are becoming loose, but I have not gone down in top size. I have a belly and I consider myself an apple shape. I'm not "hippy" and I don't have larger thighs and rear like some. But my belly.....Oh geez! It's not as horrible as I think it is, but that is where my weight is. I lost almost 40lbs about 6 years ago and most of that was lost in my belly and my breasts. I went down a cup size! When I gained back that 40 and another 20, it went to my belly. I have always been a big girl, but before that 60 pound regain, I had had a flat stomach for the most part. I can't wait for my belly to go away!!

When I lost some weight a few years ago (from 210 to 150), my entire body seemed thin except for my arms and my stomach. I got many people congratulating for being pregnant! It was a little depressing to think that I had lost 60 lbs to end up looking pregnant lol. I'd say that your problem will most likely disappear once you reach your ideal weight, which I never did, because your tummy may be the first place you get larger but it may also very well be the last place you lose your fat.

Where you keep weight is mostly a genetic thing. But most of us have "problem areas" that keep weight on until the very end. Completely normal.

I've always thought I'm an apple shape. As I've lost weight, I've lost inches around my middle. However, my chest has also shrank and not that I had a great stomach before, but now my chest and stomach are now competing for prominence. This has NEVER been my problem in the past, even at my highest weight. Coming from a 44J to a 34E now, it's definitely more of a problem. That being said, I still definitely look better in clothes than I ever ever did before. I suppose I'm just unused to having a less prominent chest.

What I'm saying is your stomach probably seems like it looks bigger because you're losing weight in other areas. Don't worry, it will catch up eventually!

My stomach stores so much fat, it's so frustrating! Other than exercising, I don't think there's much I can do, it's just how my body is shaped. But in your case, I wouldn't worry. As you lose more weight, I'm guessing your belly will start to get slimmer.

I hope so! I can't wait for the day where I don't have to wear spanx anymore!

ive found that doing cardio that uses my core muscles have really helped to shrink my stomach....i like to walk on a high incline on the treadmill (because i messed up my knee running) but anyhow...i walk with my arms bent at an angle and raised, almost like throwing a punch but not quite, and i keep my arms still, not moving, which makes my body twist and use my core for walking instead of swinging my arms for balance...ive had good results so far

If there's a protruding belly, I can guarantee you that there's fat in front of the muscle, also, and probably behind it, too.

I'll have to try that!

This week my belly seems less pronounced. I'm also drinking a lot more water now vs. last week so maybe it was water retention combined with fat?