Obesity Discussion Forums

[Hot_Georgia]

Hi
I'm new to exersize and fitness and have a question.

My wife says I look just fine except for my big'ol pot belly. I'm 47 years old, 6'2" tall, about 238lbs (to date) and carry a heavy basketball. (Really)

Question:
What contributes to this popular syndrome, and how do I get rid of it? I've cut down my food intake by about 1/4 and began walking most every morning. I don't drink alcohol except for 1-2oz of red wine a couple evenings a week.
My weight gain began with my belly and suspect it will be the last to go.

Walking is great exersize but I am wondering if it will help specifically with the belly or do I need to do more. I'm generally enjoying my walks but hope for more benefits appearance- wise than (mainly) fit, muscular legs.
I'm not sure if weight loss and exersize trimming works that way.

I took my trusty Craftsman metal tape measure and read 50" around my widest area. It's been years since I've seen my belt buckle, or tend my feet without leaning over this ball.

-Steve

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by Hot_Georgia

Hi
I'm new to exersize and fitness and have a question.

My wife says I look just fine except for my big'ol pot belly. I'm 47 years old, 6'2" tall, about 238lbs (to date) and carry a heavy basketball. (Really)

Question:
What contributes to this popular syndrome, and how do I get rid of it? I've cut down my food intake by about 1/4 and began walking most every morning. I don't drink alcohol except for 1-2oz of red wine a couple evenings a week.
My weight gain began with my belly and suspect it will be the last to go.

Walking is great exersize but I am wondering if it will help specifically with the belly or do I need to do more. I'm generally enjoying my walks but hope for more benefits appearance- wise than (mainly) fit, muscular legs.
I'm not sure if weight loss and exersize trimming works that way.

I took my trusty Craftsman metal tape measure and read 50" around my widest area. It's been years since I've seen my belt buckle, or tend my feet without leaning over this ball.

-Steve

Steve it's genetics! Men gain weight in their bellies mostly, women in their hips/thighs/butts.

While walking is a good start, it's a minimal calorie burner. It's great start for people who are not physically capable of doing anything more.

The only way to lose the gut is to lose weight, and to do so by creating a calorie deficit for yourself, i.e. eating fewer calories on average each day than your body uses.

Cutting down your food intake and walking will help, but the question is how much? It's tough to know the impact this will have on your weight loss goals without knowing how much you were eating to begin with.

There is a formula we can apply to you to tell you roughly how many calories your body uses a day based on your activity level. From there we can tell you how many calories on average you should try to eat in order to achieve your weight loss goals (1lb a week, 2lbs a week, etc).

Welcome to the site!

[inlove]

Originally Posted by Obesity Discussion

Steve it's genetics! Men gain weight in their bellies mostly, women in their hips/thighs/butts.

Damn it for that. LOL

Welcome and good luck. I agree with OD. It is genetics. That is why I can not be so upset by my freaking hips and thighs and butt. Do your best and it will come off!!!

[Irving]

hello and everyone else here is right that is the first place we gain the weight but also the first place we lose.

if you can drop your calories you can lose that gut! good luck

[Hot_Georgia]

hello and everyone else here is right that is the first place we gain the weight but also the first place we lose.

All great words of encouragement. Thanks.
It's nice to know that the "biggest" problem might be the 1st benefit of my new routine/calorie reduction program.

-Steve

[dugan51]

I think you're taking the right approach by cutting your food intake, and be sure that what you do eat is quality food (no junk). As for exercise, beginning by walking is great. As soon as you can, start picking up the pace and start going further or longer (at least 30 to 45 minutes). Try to eventually cover your course by jogging, always looking to go faster or longer. Then start doing weight resistance training to increase your muscle mass. The more of that you have, the more calories you'll burn.

Keep this up and your gut will disappear. It will take awhile, but be patient.

[inlove]

Patience is something I am sure we can all use more of. Ok well me anyway.

You can do it!!!! Keep up the good work.

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by Hot_Georgia

All great words of encouragement. Thanks.
It's nice to know that the "biggest" problem might be the 1st benefit of my new routine/calorie reduction program.

-Steve

Bingo! Patience is the key, but your gut will be the first to lose if it's the first to gain

BTW, lack of sleep and eating of a lot of trans fat have both been linked to increases in your gut.....