Loosing belly fat "myth"?

NicoleFray
NicoleFray Posts: 82 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I've been told that doing crunches and all those belly workouts only strengthen your abs/stomach area and that it wont help you loose your fat there just strengthen (which is good) but is it true that just doing workouts ex. treadmill, lifting, elliptical, (all the other stuff as well) etc.. will that eventually make your belly go down?
I'm confused haha.
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Replies

  • magerum
    magerum Posts: 12,589 Member
    You can't spot reduce. Direct ab work will help build muscle underneath the fat which MAY help it appear slimmer sooner than not having done ab work.
  • Pearsquared
    Pearsquared Posts: 1,656 Member
    Yes. You are correct.

    Ab workouts will strengthen and define the muscle, but if the layer of fat over the muscle is too thick, they will not be as visible.

    Fat loss is accomplished through a calorie deficit, which can be obtained through a balance of diet and cardio exercises.
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    When your body loses fat, it loses the fat from wherever it damn well pleases. You have absolutely zero control over where the fat you lose comes from.
  • morticia16
    morticia16 Posts: 230 Member
    yeah, it's true
  • Mcgrawhaha
    Mcgrawhaha Posts: 1,596 Member
    i noticed the most change in my tummy area after i started running on the treadmill. after 1 month of running, my flab is almost 100% gone!
  • Mommylicous
    Mommylicous Posts: 121 Member
    What they all said. You can't spot reduce.

    Trust me, everyone wants to spot reduce. If there was a way it could be done, someone could have found out how by now. All you can do is eat well, and exercise.
  • calmthundr2
    calmthundr2 Posts: 17 Member
    I can't swear by it myself but many people have said that trimming fat from your midsection (or anywhere) is dependent upon getting your body percentage down. However you can do that, should help.
  • NicoleFray
    NicoleFray Posts: 82 Member
    Okay good, cause I didn't want to be putting so much time into one area if it wont cut the fat .
    Thank you everyone!!
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,974 Member
    One way to spot reduce............................lipo.

    Other than that, you can't do it.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • NicoleFray
    NicoleFray Posts: 82 Member
    i noticed the most change in my tummy area after i started running on the treadmill. after 1 month of running, my flab is almost 100% gone!

    I just stared running outside/treadmill i've never been a runner but now im starting to love it and i have seen my stomach go down slightly so i'm defiantly going to keep running :)
  • AngelaMarieMs
    AngelaMarieMs Posts: 21
    You will tone your whole body but the elliptical is awesome for your belly. Highly suggest sucking in and doing it; you will feel the burn!
  • Mommylicous
    Mommylicous Posts: 121 Member
    I also suggest lifting weights. Like, real weights, not 3-5 lb dumbbells (Unless that's all you can start off with)

    I haven't lost more than 5 lbs, but I've gone down 3 pants sizes since April. Muscle will help burn more calories while you're resting, so therefore you're supposed to have a higher fat burn when you do your cardio exercises.

    I wouldn't know about the last part, because I've been lazy and forgetting to do my cardio :blushing:
  • CorvusCorax77
    CorvusCorax77 Posts: 2,536 Member
    it's genetic and every one is different. I can be at 19% bf (I had it tested hydrostatically) and still have a belly. Others can lose belly fat and still have a chest. What your body does is up to your genetics.

    Still, the only way to ensure that something is happening there is to lower your bf% overall. You do this by having a caloric expenditure that is more than your caloric consumption (and by expenditure, I don't just mean exercise- which i'm only saying cuz there is so much dumb in the forums today about this- your body burns calories existing: heart pumping, nerves firing, lungs breathing, eyes blinking, organs excreting stuff, muscles keeping your pee and poop from shooting out of you, etc.).

    Now when your caloric intake is less than your caloric expenditure, your body reduces body fat and body muscle. To have that loss be more fat and less muscle, you work out (resistance train) to preserve muscle mass. So in a long sorta round about way, crunches help- sure- because it burns calories and preserves muscle mass. But so would doing bicep curls or chin ups.

    Capiche?
  • MyM0wM0w
    MyM0wM0w Posts: 2,008 Member
    You can have the tightest most amazing abs EVER...but if there is 8" of fat over them you'll never know. The only way to lose fat is overall fat reduction. Where you lose it and in what order is a crapshoot.
  • Joehenny
    Joehenny Posts: 1,222 Member
    Yes you can spot reduce.

    It's called lipo.
  • Mcgrawhaha
    Mcgrawhaha Posts: 1,596 Member
    i noticed the most change in my tummy area after i started running on the treadmill. after 1 month of running, my flab is almost 100% gone!

    I just stared running outside/treadmill i've never been a runner but now im starting to love it and i have seen my stomach go down slightly so i'm defiantly going to keep running :)

    yeah, ive never been a runner either, so my main exercise was walking and the elliptical, but last month i started running, and so i run 2 miles per day, then walk... since i started running, im noticing alot more firming in my tummy area. i used to have a belly flap that hung, now its gone. i dont measure, only weight, but i bet if i measured, ive lost a couple inches just from my belly this month. i know spot reduction isnt really possible, however, being that running really works the abs more than walking, i think im putting those muscles in my mid section to work, and in turn, its tightening, as well as burning up fat and tightening the skin... i just posted a swim suit pic today, i was really surprised at how flat my tummy has gotten... i hate running, but will continue, due to the awesome results im having.
  • walktalkdog
    walktalkdog Posts: 102 Member
    And, other factors as well such as age, gender, body type, that one has little control over. For me, a 55 year old female, the belly is the first place I gain and last place I lose. I have strong ab muscles under four inches of flab!!
  • dsjohndrow
    dsjohndrow Posts: 1,820 Member
    Think about it. If the the ab muscles grow from doing crunches or sit ups, what will happen? You'll get bigger there. What you want to do is just work on losing the fat. That takes a balanced diet, and watching your calories.

    I am not against exercise, but make sure it's well rounded.
  • Mcgrawhaha
    Mcgrawhaha Posts: 1,596 Member
    Think about it. If the the ab muscles grow from doing crunches or sit ups, what will happen? You'll get bigger there. What you want to do is just work on losing the fat. That takes a balanced diet, and watching your calories.

    I am not against exercise, but make sure it's well rounded.

    i respectfully disagree.
  • jonnythan
    jonnythan Posts: 10,161 Member
    Think about it. If the the ab muscles grow from doing crunches or sit ups, what will happen? You'll get bigger there. What you want to do is just work on losing the fat. That takes a balanced diet, and watching your calories.

    I am not against exercise, but make sure it's well rounded.

    i respectfully disagree.

    Disagree with what?
  • leomom72
    leomom72 Posts: 1,797 Member
    When your body loses fat, it loses the fat from wherever it damn well pleases. You have absolutely zero control over where the fat you lose comes from.

    yeah..thats why we lose our boobs :sad:
  • grinner30
    grinner30 Posts: 122 Member
    One thing that you might not like to hear is that you cannot loose fat. Fat cells are never lost. They can be made, but the body does not remove fat cells. Fat cells can shrink.

    The more lean muscle mass that you have the higher your metabolism will be at resting state(and active). This will help keep your weight and fat cells in check. Calorie deficit is the only way to "shrink" what you have. Maintaining a healthy diet afterwards will keep it in check.

    Now go sweat and eat clean!
  • NicoleFray
    NicoleFray Posts: 82 Member
    i noticed the most change in my tummy area after i started running on the treadmill. after 1 month of running, my flab is almost 100% gone!

    I just stared running outside/treadmill i've never been a runner but now im starting to love it and i have seen my stomach go down slightly so i'm defiantly going to keep running :)

    yeah, ive never been a runner either, so my main exercise was walking and the elliptical, but last month i started running, and so i run 2 miles per day, then walk... since i started running, im noticing alot more firming in my tummy area. i used to have a belly flap that hung, now its gone. i dont measure, only weight, but i bet if i measured, ive lost a couple inches just from my belly this month. i know spot reduction isnt really possible, however, being that running really works the abs more than walking, i think im putting those muscles in my mid section to work, and in turn, its tightening, as well as burning up fat and tightening the skin... i just posted a swim suit pic today, i was really surprised at how flat my tummy has gotten... i hate running, but will continue, due to the awesome results im having.

    I hope I get the results you got from running, I know for sure running is doing something to my abs because my body isn't used to me running and I still get sore abs, legs, everything haha.
    ..And you look amazing by the way! Amazing job!
  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    I've been told that doing crunches and all those belly workouts only strengthen your abs/stomach area and that it wont help you loose your fat there just strengthen (which is good) but is it true that just doing workouts ex. treadmill, lifting, elliptical, (all the other stuff as well) etc.. will that eventually make your belly go down?
    I'm confused haha.

    Yes. I do very few exercises that are meant to strengthen your core (crunches, planks, ect). My belly is shrinking.
    I have pics posted here:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1011152-87-days-of-using-mfp-p-lots-of-pics?hl=87&page=1#posts-15485906
  • NicoleFray
    NicoleFray Posts: 82 Member
    When your body loses fat, it loses the fat from wherever it damn well pleases. You have absolutely zero control over where the fat you lose comes from.

    yeah..thats why we lose our boobs :sad:

    Haha, true! You never loose it where you wanna loose it!
  • CorvusCorax77
    CorvusCorax77 Posts: 2,536 Member
    well, i'm at the point where my goal is to see defined muscles in my abs. It's damned elusive for me. I think I have loose skin from being so obese for so many years.... so my current plan is to build my ab muscles while lowering my body fat and hope I can fill out my skin with something I can be proud of!
  • NicoleFray
    NicoleFray Posts: 82 Member
    I've been told that doing crunches and all those belly workouts only strengthen your abs/stomach area and that it wont help you loose your fat there just strengthen (which is good) but is it true that just doing workouts ex. treadmill, lifting, elliptical, (all the other stuff as well) etc.. will that eventually make your belly go down?
    I'm confused haha.

    Yes. I do very few exercises that are meant to strengthen your core (crunches, planks, ect). My belly is shrinking.
    I have pics posted here:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1011152-87-days-of-using-mfp-p-lots-of-pics?hl=87&page=1#posts-15485906

    Omg! You look so good! What did you do to get your results!
    Amazing!
  • mommy3457
    mommy3457 Posts: 361 Member
    I read on a bodybuilder site that some men would lose that last bit on their stomach by wearing something on their belly which makes them sweat. Who knows? I wonder the same thing. And, before I post this, because I know someone will want to comment and tell me how I'm all wrong even though I did not say these bodybuilders are right. I know that spot reduction is not true overall, but I just don't know.
  • shortie_sarah
    shortie_sarah Posts: 177 Member
    it's genetic and every one is different. I can be at 19% bf (I had it tested hydrostatically) and still have a belly. Others can lose belly fat and still have a chest. What your body does is up to your genetics.

    Still, the only way to ensure that something is happening there is to lower your bf% overall. You do this by having a caloric expenditure that is more than your caloric consumption (and by expenditure, I don't just mean exercise- which i'm only saying cuz there is so much dumb in the forums today about this- your body burns calories existing: heart pumping, nerves firing, lungs breathing, eyes blinking, organs excreting stuff, muscles keeping your pee and poop from shooting out of you, etc.).

    Now when your caloric intake is less than your caloric expenditure, your body reduces body fat and body muscle. To have that loss be more fat and less muscle, you work out (resistance train) to preserve muscle mass. So in a long sorta round about way, crunches help- sure- because it burns calories and preserves muscle mass. But so would doing bicep curls or chin ups.

    Capiche?

    well put :smile:
  • shadow2soul
    shadow2soul Posts: 7,692 Member
    I've been told that doing crunches and all those belly workouts only strengthen your abs/stomach area and that it wont help you loose your fat there just strengthen (which is good) but is it true that just doing workouts ex. treadmill, lifting, elliptical, (all the other stuff as well) etc.. will that eventually make your belly go down?
    I'm confused haha.

    Yes. I do very few exercises that are meant to strengthen your core (crunches, planks, ect). My belly is shrinking.
    I have pics posted here:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1011152-87-days-of-using-mfp-p-lots-of-pics?hl=87&page=1#posts-15485906

    Omg! You look so good! What did you do to get your results!
    Amazing!

    Thanks :blushing:

    I workout 5-6 days a week. 20 mins minimum and 90 mins max.

    Occasionally (maybe 1-3 times a week) I'll go on walks with my hubby and son. The length increases each time. I've also noticed that my speed has improved. I was walking an average of 3mph and now I average 4mph. On days where I go on a walk I will workout for 40 mins max, but usually only 20 mins.

    Up until the end of may, I was doing the following for workouts (there was no set in stone day for any of it, just whatever I felt like for the day):

    -Your Shape FE 2012 = for the Cardio Boxing and Boot Camp workouts (Kinect)
    -Dance Central 2 = used the Fitness section for 20 -40 mins (kinect)
    -EA Sports Active 2.0 = I did the Cardio Kick Start Program (12 workouts total)...combines cardio and resistance training...I used 5lb dumbbells instead of the resistance band...some workouts would have 10 - 20 crunches (2 different versions 10 each) and 20 second planks but not every workout...it took 20-30 mins (each day was different)... (kinect)
    - JM 30 Day Shred = umm well, this workout bores me to death and as I result I only used it twice (literally 2 days)

    I've recently switched things up a bit:

    -Wii Fit Plus (had it last year, wii died, hubby just bought me a new wii)
    -Golds Gym Cardio Workout = cardio boxing...I got rid of Your Shape, because I prefer the boxing in this game
    -Stronglifts 5x5 = 3 days a week
    - Dance Central 2 = same as before
    - EA Sports Active 2.0 = I'm going to start the 9 week Program eventually (last time I started it, I ended up getting hurt and not being able to workout, probably just coincidence, but I haven't put it in the xbox since :laugh: )
    - Running = I'm going to start running, but atm I'm waiting for an itunes gift card (10 days left till arrival..:grumble:, but it was free so I can't complain too much) so I can get the ZombiesRun! app

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