Obesity Discussion Forums

[CallieRobin]

Hi there,

Ive just started learning the real facts on weight loss and the importance of eating right, exercise and the right mindset....ect. So, I was just wondering if anyone had any tips on stubborn belly fat? Thats by far my largest problem area, and I've been doing cardio for an hour+ a day, and then some strenght training with free weights and body bars. Also nearing the end of my workout I do 200 sittups (reps of 25) and 50 pushups.

So basically, my question is how do you lose the belly fat, to get a flat stomach. Is there any exercises I can do? or is there certin foods i should Avoid? I've Had a really hard time finding information on this....

thanks for your time

[Obesity Discussion]

Originally Posted by CallieRobin

Hi there,

Ive just started learning the real facts on weight loss and the importance of eating right, exercise and the right mindset....ect. So, I was just wondering if anyone had any tips on stubborn belly fat? Thats by far my largest problem area, and I've been doing cardio for an hour+ a day, and then some strenght training with free weights and body bars. Also nearing the end of my workout I do 200 sittups (reps of 25) and 50 pushups.

So basically, my question is how do you lose the belly fat, to get a flat stomach. Is there any exercises I can do? or is there certin foods i should Avoid? I've Had a really hard time finding information on this....

thanks for your time

At the end of the day it's genetics...you can't "spot reduce" belly fat. It's simply a matter of losing fat in general by creating a calorie deficit (eating fewer calories than your body burns). Once you shed the fat, then yes you can work on toning your stomach a bit.....do all the situps you want now, but it's really not going to help you reduce extra belly fat. Once you do though you'll have a nice ripped 6 pack.

[SheaGrl]

This is the cover of the September issue of Glamour Magazine. For once a magazine put a REAL woman on the cover of a magazine. Ok, well, she's still a model, but getting closer!

Women have a greater fat percentage increase as they age than men. They tend to get more belly fat as they get older, especially after menopause. Hormones can be partially to blame!

Yup, belly fat is stubborn.

[monique]

There is an ad to the right on every page for me that shows "before" and "after" losing belly fat, and I honestly think the before photo looks great! Who decided stomachs are supposed to have visible muscles under the skin? Isn't that where we keep all our soft and squishy organs? It's naturally a soft and squishy area!

If you want six-pack abs all you can do is lose weight until nothing obscures your muscles and build them up a bit. But maybe you should also ask yourself if your standards might be too high. I mean, the models for fitness magazines and equipment are so far from normal that they get PAID just to show off their abs! We can't all look like that even if we all wanted to.

~Monique

[Jasmine130]

I think having a bit of a belly is actually kind of attractive. It's much more the inside, brown adipose tissue that surrounds our viscera, that can be the problem, from a health perspective.

[SunShine]

Calli I have that same problem, the belly fat. I have tried every exercise I know for it and it still hangs. It seems the more weight I lose the looser it hangs down.
I think we have it because our skin has stretched so much and has no elasticity in it anymore thats why when we lose it won;t go back into place and just hangs there.

Guess I could solve it by wearing a girdle but I hate those things.

[wildwoman]

yup the only way to loose your gut is to reduce you all over body fat...........dang it!

[monique]

Just wanted to mention, Sunshine, if you find a comfy girdle or just a high-waist body shaper they're not so bad! I've worn them under my wedding dress and 2 bridesmaid dresses in the last few years when I didn't want panty lines, and a good one just supports you so you don't jiggle, without making you feel too squashed! Lately I am having trouble with all my clothes being uncomfortably baggy and I wish something would just fit nice and snug! I got some new bras that are still snug and supportive and they are SO much more comfortable! I guess there's nothing to do but go spend money on new pants!

~Monique

[SunShine]

Monique, all my clothes were to baggy to so I had to break down and go get me some new one. I had been taking in some of my clothes but they got to a point where I could not take them in anymore without messing them up, so I gave them all to a thrift store.
I did buy a body shaper, one is a one piece one and the other was was panty one with a high waist to it, I have worn that one alot, it also supports my low back which I need bad because it bothers me alot.
They do help but then when you take it off, OUCH, I see all my flab again. Its just the skin is so loose on my belly that it hangs. Guess it got stretched out to bad when I was so big.

[monique]

Well Sunshine, once you're done losing you could ask your doctor about it! I think Jasmine said her insurance covered removal of some extra skin. Until then, it still might improve as you lose!

~Monique