Visceral Fat - how to get rid of it?

kw1452

My weight isnt that bad and I dont look that terrible or anything, but I have this huge belly. I am 25 and definitely not pregnant, but many people might think I was. I know how the fat got there - I spent most of my childhood, teenage years, and young adult life in this cycle of rediculous emotional stress. That, along with laziness and bad eating habits has caused me to gain weight, but the vast majority of it is in my mid-section.

I have a large butt and thighs too, but my stomach is out of control. I have what you call an apple shape, which is well known for being the unhealthiest shape, because its visceral fat around my organs which can cause alot more health problems than subcutaneous fat around my butt.

Anyways - I know what causes it. Cortisol. Years and years of stress. And Im working hard to lower my stress with yoga, talking problems out, and whatever else to just generally be a happier person.

So, once I get my cortisol under control, how do I lose the visceral fat? I dont just want a flat belly like lots of girls - I want to not look pregnant in a tight shirt. I want to see my breasts stick out farther than my belly button. I want my body to have the right kind of curves rather than look like a 40 yr old with a huge beer belly. Whenever I google search this topic, I find all kinds of things for women over 40, because apparently changing hormones can cause the same thing, but im 25! What might work for them doesnt make a whole lot of sense for me.

csmullins78

I know that there is some correlation between stress and weight, but I wouldn't let that be your main focus. Maybe I'm nuts, but I still subscribe to the theory that one just needs to eat fewer calories than one burns in a day and weight loss will happen. 3500 calories = 1 pound. My life can be super stressful. Yoga and guided meditations are great. Get good sleep. Exercise!! Exercise does wonders for stress. Eventually, that belly will be gone!

kw1452

I do try to exercise but that can be hard for me. I have a bad back right now and every few times i strength train i end up not being able to work out for several days. Also I walk all the time but I cant run because I have bad knees.

I just got my old bike tuned up and plan to start trying to bike ride around my hilly neighborhood to amp up my aerobics. Gonna keep up the strength training one - two times a week intermixed with a yoga dvd.

jonnythan

Lose weight through eating fewer calories than your body uses. You don't need to do a bunch of cardio you don't enjoy, though it's certainly good for your health to get some. However cardio isn't really effective for fat loss.

Strength training is what's great for fat loss.

mama10K

Check out the Flat Belly Diet - it's great for women. It's a good place to start.. It focuses on melting abdomen fat while eating the right kinds of fats (they call them MUFA's - monounsaturated fats). You need to eat fat (the proper kinds) to lose fat.

I agree with the last person though - strength training is the best.

jonnythan

Check out the Flat Belly Diet - it's great for women. It's a good place to start.. It focuses on melting abdomen fat while eating the right kinds of fats (they call them MUFA's - monounsaturated fats). You need to eat fat (the proper kinds) to lose fat.

I agree with the last person though - strength training is the best.

There's no way to target belly fat, especially through a special diet.

jbolainho88

bump

jbolainho88

My weight isnt that bad and I dont look that terrible or anything, but I have this huge belly. I am 25 and definitely not pregnant, but many people might think I was. I know how the fat got there - I spent most of my childhood, teenage years, and young adult life in this cycle of rediculous emotional stress. That, along with laziness and bad eating habits has caused me to gain weight, but the vast majority of it is in my mid-section.

I have a large butt and thighs too, but my stomach is out of control. I have what you call an apple shape, which is well known for being the unhealthiest shape, because its visceral fat around my organs which can cause alot more health problems than subcutaneous fat around my butt.

Anyways - I know what causes it. Cortisol. Years and years of stress. And Im working hard to lower my stress with yoga, talking problems out, and whatever else to just generally be a happier person.

So, once I get my cortisol under control, how do I lose the visceral fat? I dont just want a flat belly like lots of girls - I want to not look pregnant in a tight shirt. I want to see my breasts stick out farther than my belly button. I want my body to have the right kind of curves rather than look like a 40 yr old with a huge beer belly. Whenever I google search this topic, I find all kinds of things for women over 40, because apparently changing hormones can cause the same thing, but im 25! What might work for them doesnt make a whole lot of sense for me.

omg you sound just like me!!! the only reason i am dieting is because i too want my pregnant looking belly gone! im also 25 and have really bad knees and lower back issues.

kw1452

Yeah I read in the Womens health diet that strength training temporarily causes everything u eat to fuel your muscle repair and your body has to get its daily energy from the fat reserves until your muscles calm down.

I dont know how true it is, but I started strength training a few weeks ago. It makes me feel good. Ill try to stick with it.

kw1452

omg you sound just like me!!! the only reason i am dieting is because i too want my pregnant looking belly gone! im also 25 and have really bad knees and lower back issues.

Thats awesome! you should friend me on the app. My belly drives me nuts! my bf loves my fat butt and says I should just lose the belly but shouldnt even think about losing the butt. lol. I know it doesnt work like that, but I really need to get this belly fat under control!

jbolainho88

omg you sound just like me!!! the only reason i am dieting is because i too want my pregnant looking belly gone! im also 25 and have really bad knees and lower back issues.

Thats awesome! you should friend me on the app. My belly drives me nuts! my bf loves my fat butt and says I should just lose the belly but shouldnt even think about losing the butt. lol. I know it doesnt work like that, but I really need to get this belly fat under control!

yes my hubby loves my body too, but like you, i dont like it, esp my belly. ive evn thought about doing lipo, but seeing the recovery afterwards freaked me out!! lol Yes we should def be friends to help support each other

gigglesinthesun

I suspect you have already cut out all caffeine, but it bears repeating if you haven't as it does raise cortisol levels (no, it's not the food of the devil, but if you are trying to lower your cortisol levels and stress overall, it's not the best thing for you.) Also caffeine can affect the quality of sleep you are getting, which is another reason your cortisol levels could be higher then normal.

As for exercise I would recommend Pilates. I would however get an initial assessment from a qualified physio rather then just your neighbourhood Pilates teacher in order to ensure you are doing the exercise right (control and precision Is everything and lack thereof can negate all benefits) and not aggravate existing problems.

jonnythan

I suspect you have already cut out all caffeine, but it bears repeating if you haven't as it does raise cortisol levels (no, it's not the food of the devil, but if you are trying to lower your cortisol levels and stress overall, it's not the best thing for you.) Also caffeine can affect the quality of sleep you are getting, which is another reason your cortisol levels could be higher then normal.

As for exercise I would recommend Pilates. I would however get an initial assessment from a qualified physio rather then just your neighbourhood Pilates teacher in order to ensure you are doing the exercise right (control and precision Is everything and lack thereof can negate all benefits) and not aggravate existing problems.

Unless I'm missing something, the OP is just guessing about cortisol because she thinks cortisol is the reason she has fat in certain places. She hasn't actually been diagnosed with high cortisol levels by a doctor or anything.

Cortisol is something of a red herring here. There's no actual reason to think the OP needs to do anything to lower cortisol levels. She just needs to lose weight.

yarwell

http://www.thatsfit.com/2009/12/03/middle-age-belly/

same logic should apply regardless of age