Flatter Stomach?

creativechick22

Hi,

I have lost 10lbs so far (since 26th Feb 2014) - however my stomach (around my belly-button) measurement has only decreased by 0.5inch. I was wondering if I should expect this until my weight decreases more, or if there are any particular exercises I could do to help. I would be looking for low-impact exercise really, but any advice is more than welcome (current main exercise is walking).

Below is my information:
Height: 5ft 6
Starting Weight: 10st 4lbs
Current Weight: 9st 8lbs
Goal Weight: 8st 7lbs

Bust: 35inch
Waist: 26.5inch
Stomach: 32.5inch
Hips: 39inch

I am eating around 900 cals per day, however my exercise varies between 100 and 600 cals burned.

Thank you

j34lr

First off, you can't spot reduce. The weight'll come off wherever it wants and yeah that sucks but be patient and keep at it and you'll get the results you want.

Second....900 calories?!?!?! That sounds terribly low to me. You should never go under 1200 net calories, and if you're burning 600 calories that means you're only eating 300 calories some days! :noway: You should try and up your calorie intake, when I did, I got better results. You have to fuel your body and give it what it needs so that your metabolism doesn't screw itself up.

creativechick22

First off, you can't spot reduce. The weight'll come off wherever it wants and yeah that sucks but be patient and keep at it and you'll get the results you want.

Second....900 calories?!?!?! That sounds terribly low to me. You should never go under 1200 net calories, and if you're burning 600 calories that means you're only eating 300 calories some days! :noway: You should try and up your calorie intake, when I did, I got better results. You have to fuel your body and give it what it needs so that your metabolism doesn't screw itself up.

I am losing between 1lb and 1.5lbs per week, which is healthy. I am also eating 2 fruit and at least 2 veg per day (to ensure I get what I need), as well as porridge in the morning. I feel fine, other than the fact that my period is over a week late (and def not pregnant) - presuming it is due to the weight loss. My average work-out is 200cal loss. Once I hit my target weight, I am going to gradually increase my net calories, and see what my body will need to maintain my goal weight.

JesterMFP

I am eating around 900 cals per day, however my exercise varies between 100 and 600 cals burned.

Doing it very, very wrong. Why are you eating so low? This is not healthy at all, way fewer calories than your body needs. I'm not surprised your period is late, you're seriously messing with your hormone function. You also risk losing a lot of lean mass (including muscle) which is highly unlikely to give you the look you're after. It will also be so, so much harder to maintain your weight loss long term.

j34lr

I am eating around 900 cals per day, however my exercise varies between 100 and 600 cals burned.

Doing it very, very wrong. Why are you eating so low? This is not healthy at all, way fewer calories than your body needs. I'm not surprised your period is late, you're seriously messing with your hormone function. You also risk losing a lot of lean mass (including muscle) which is highly unlikely to give you the look you're after. It will also be so, so much harder to maintain your weight loss long term.

Agree with this ^ 100%. You'll put all the weight back on if you do it like this.

hitsnooze

the reason you're not losing inches is because you're not losing fat. the highest percentage of what you'll be losing is lean mass because no matter what bull you give yourself about eating fruit and veggies keeping you healthy, you can't be healthy and your body can't function how it should on 900 calories. if this amount of food seems right for you or you're scared about raising it, i'd think about asking a doctor about maybe being checked for an eating disorder. your fairly low goal weight rings bells as well, considering the fact your weight is healthy now

meglizbo

You are literally killing your metabolism. I don't want to sound like a jerk, but your body will run as efficiently as possible on what you give it. When you try to add back in calories you will probably "gian" weight. That weight is called muscle.

Mischievous_Rascal

I am eating around 900 cals per day, however my exercise varies between 100 and 600 cals burned.

Doing it very, very wrong. Why are you eating so low? This is not healthy at all, way fewer calories than your body needs. I'm not surprised your period is late, you're seriously messing with your hormone function. You also risk losing a lot of lean mass (including muscle) which is highly unlikely to give you the look you're after. It will also be so, so much harder to maintain your weight loss long term.

Agree with this ^ 100%. You'll put all the weight back on if you do it like this.

This is true. Trust me, it took me almost seven months to recover from the hormonal mess a VLCD did. Now I can maintain on almost three times what you take in. You're not eating anywhere near enough.

arwacky

I'm losing weight by eating 1,600 calories and I managed to get a flat stomach. I work out like 2X a week only. You're going to have a tougher time with only 900 calories cause your body won't be willing to burn fat that it needs to survive.

dacricket

creativechick - I'm not going to pile on, I'm just going to say, if you don't believe what everyone here is telling you, talk to a Doctor or do your own research.

You can start here:

http://www.acsm.org/about-acsm/media-room/acsm-in-the-news/2011/08/01/metabolism-is-modifiable-with-the-right-lifestyle-changes

Which ever you do please, please educate yourself before your move forward. Don't do your body more harm than good.

Meushichan

1. What everyone else said. x100 2) After you get your cals/ macros in order (see http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/931670-bmr-and-tdee-explained-for-those-needing-a-guide), I would suggest pilates. Although it can't spot "reduce", meaning it won't decrease the amount of fat in one particular area, it will tone and increase lean muscle so you will be able to see definition. Also, it's really fun ^_^

creativechick22

Thank you for all the feedback - what amount of calories would you recommend I eat per day? 1200 as MFP says you should not go below?? I want to lose weight at a good pace, but obviously don't want to mess up my body / metabolism.

& should I then eat any calories I burn from exercise too, or is 1200 cals per day enough as well as burning lets say 300 cals per day (walking). Would not eating the calories I have burnt from exercise be healthy?

Aaron_K123

You are eating way way to low. You are going to lose muscle in addition to fat most likely especially if you are not weight training as part of your exercise. If you lose muscle you will see exactly what you have stated is happening, a loss in weight without a loss in inches (meaning you are losing just as much muscle as fat).

That is exactly the opposite of what you want. Do not obsess over your scale weight try to focus on losing just the fat. This means eating a lot more than you are currently eating and adding some weight lifting or resistance training to your routines.

Aaron_K123

Oh and by "eat more" I mean literally twice as much as you are eating now. If you are burning the amount you are claiming to burn exercising then seems to me like you should be eating more like 1800 calories a day, certainly not 900 that is just starving yourself.

_lyndseybrooke_

Thank you for all the feedback - what amount of calories would you recommend I eat per day? 1200 as MFP says you should not go below?? I want to lose weight at a good pace, but obviously don't want to mess up my body / metabolism.

& should I then eat any calories I burn from exercise too, or is 1200 cals per day enough as well as burning lets say 300 cals per day (walking). Would not eating the calories I have burnt from exercise be healthy?

You need to calculate your TDEE (http://iifym.com/tdee-calculator/), subtract 20% (and no more) from that number, and eat that many calories a day. You can manually change your goals in MFP. If you insist on using MFP's 1200 calorie limit, then YES, eat ALL of your exercise calories back (provided they are accurate). 1200 would be your NET goal, not gross. I strongly suggest the TDEE method, though, because I think MFP's is too low. MFP recommended I eat 1200 calories per day, too, but my TDEE - 20% is 1400, which is what I eat and I'm losing.

DirrtyH

my period is over a week late (and def not pregnant) - presuming it is due to the weight loss.

That is not a symptom of weight loss, that's a symptom of being underweight. If it's not normal for you to have a late period, and you're definitely not pregnant, then there's something wrong.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

WayfarerHWM

Go here http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1235566-so-you-re-new-here?hl=so+you're+new+here

Read that.

I'm losing and eating 1800 calories a day.

bjg2993

Number 1: Eat more - you aren't doing yourself any favours. I've lost exactly the same amount of weight as you over a slightly longer period eating minimum around 1200 net cal per day but also lost almost three inches off my waistline. I also did no exercise other than walking, you really aren't doing your metabolism any favours. Let MFP work out the numbers for you based upon your current stats and importantly eat back at least some of your exercise calories! It's fine to enjoy food whilst dieting, enjoy variation and don't starve yourself.

Number 2. Yoga, every day for 15 minutes or so. I've been getting into this routine over the last week and I've lost another half inch despite having upped my calories again. Excellent for full body toning, its low impact and so calming.

jbella99

First off, you can't spot reduce. The weight'll come off wherever it wants and yeah that sucks but be patient and keep at it and you'll get the results you want.

Second....900 calories?!?!?! That sounds terribly low to me. You should never go under 1200 net calories, and if you're burning 600 calories that means you're only eating 300 calories some days! :noway: You should try and up your calorie intake, when I did, I got better results. You have to fuel your body and give it what it needs so that your metabolism doesn't screw itself up.

I am losing between 1lb and 1.5lbs per week, which is healthy. I am also eating 2 fruit and at least 2 veg per day (to ensure I get what I need), as well as porridge in the morning. I feel fine, other than the fact that my period is over a week late (and def not pregnant) - presuming it is due to the weight loss. My average work-out is 200cal loss. Once I hit my target weight, I am going to gradually increase my net calories, and see what my body will need to maintain my goal weight.

I hate to tell you this but your body will adapt to the 900 calories a day and when you start eating normally (1200 to 1600 calories a day) you are gonna gain a lot of weight back and it will be harder to get your metabolism to believe your not starving your body, You need to eat at least bmr everyday.

tbresina

I am eating around 900 cals per day, however my exercise varies between 100 and 600 cals burned.

Doing it very, very wrong. Why are you eating so low? This is not healthy at all, way fewer calories than your body needs. I'm not surprised your period is late, you're seriously messing with your hormone function. You also risk losing a lot of lean mass (including muscle) which is highly unlikely to give you the look you're after. It will also be so, so much harder to maintain your weight loss long term.

Agree with this ^ 100%. You'll put all the weight back on if you do it like this.

Totally agree, way to few calories, your muscles are starving! Will be counterproductive

creativechick22

I don't know what stones are, so I can';t calculate for you, but you can easily eat 1600 and still lose.

A stone is 14lbs - so I currently weight 134lbs, with a goal of 120lbs.

bkjk997

I was just reading this... see the 2nd section called, "Stop Doing That Exercise!"

http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2013/12/19/stop-doing-that-seriously/

Excerpt:
"Stop doing crunches and sit ups. I know you want a flat stomach, but you won’t get there with 1000 crunches and sit ups every day. It doesn't work that way. Believe it or not, sit ups can mess up your lower back, as can crunches. They’re also an incomplete exercise, as they don’t work out your entire core (stomach AND lower back). But that’s missing the point: a flat stomach is made in the kitchen, and 90% of your results will come from clean eating.

My favorite “ab exercises?” Squats, deadlifts, pull ups, and eating right. Yoga, handstands, planks, push ups, and other full body exercises all contribute to a strong core. In order for you to see those stomach muscles though, you need to lose the fat on top of them!"

kjo9692

Hi,

I have lost 10lbs so far (since 26th Feb 2014) - however my stomach (around my belly-button) measurement has only decreased by 0.5inch. I was wondering if I should expect this until my weight decreases more, or if there are any particular exercises I could do to help. I would be looking for low-impact exercise really, but any advice is more than welcome (current main exercise is walking).

Below is my information:
Height: 5ft 6
Starting Weight: 10st 4lbs
Current Weight: 9st 8lbs
Goal Weight: 8st 7lbs

Bust: 35inch
Waist: 26.5inch
Stomach: 32.5inch
Hips: 39inch

I am eating around 900 cals per day, however my exercise varies between 100 and 600 cals burned.

Thank you

I spit out my water when I read that you are only eating 900 calories per day.

Use the link to the calories calculator given to you above. Definitely eat more and when you exercise eat those calories back too. Hope you follow the advice given to you in this thread!

Aaron_K123

May I suggest you trade in your scale for a tape measurer or some bodyfat calipers and aim for a % bodyfat goal rather than a scale weight goal. That scale is clearly not doing you any favors in terms of your health.

See this person.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/images/2012/karina-baymiller-after.jpg

here is another, at your current weight.

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/images/2012/kelsey-byers-after.jpg

This person is your height and weighs almost as much as you do right now. Scale weight has absolutely nothing to do with how fit or in shape you are. When you picture someone who is super fit and your height, yeah they are not 120 pounds. You put an extra 10 pounds of fat on those two women and bring their weight up to around 140-145 and they would still look really fit. You need to start caring about your muscle and health more than your scale weight.

Unknown

This content has been removed.

WayfarerHWM

Hi,

I have lost 10lbs so far (since 26th Feb 2014) - however my stomach (around my belly-button) measurement has only decreased by 0.5inch. I was wondering if I should expect this until my weight decreases more, or if there are any particular exercises I could do to help. I would be looking for low-impact exercise really, but any advice is more than welcome (current main exercise is walking).

Below is my information:
Height: 5ft 6
Starting Weight: 10st 4lbs
Current Weight: 9st 8lbs
Goal Weight: 8st 7lbs

Bust: 35inch
Waist: 26.5inch
Stomach: 32.5inch
Hips: 39inch

I am eating around 900 cals per day, however my exercise varies between 100 and 600 cals burned.

Thank you

I spit out my water when I read that you are only eating 900 calories per day.

WayfarerHWM

ETA...nothing. sorry for dup post.

Boogage

I agree with the above posters. I lost a lot of weight eating low calorie but 20lbs of that was muscle. I now weight 107lbs and I don't have a flat stomach. Currently eating 1650 to 1750 a day and trying to fix the mess I've gotten myself into. Wish I'd done things properly from the start and not made myself ill.

tanfit4life

the least I eat is 1200 calories-because the less you eat your body store the fat-I do planks-I do side to side situps=pullups squats and I can on-I have competed-it is mainly how you eat and what you eat-when you workout you should always tighten your stomach whetever excersie you do-I am know expert but I can only say what works for me-I have strong stomach muscles but it takes a lot of work-and doing it everyday like that will not make it happen any faster-I do workout 5 days aweek-2 days I rest-so to me its to each their own-but 900 calories is my focus to you that is truly not enough-and if you workout the way you say you need to fuel-for me I do stomach crunches-and sit ups and side to side crunches-I also do pull downs-you can add me if you like

crystalflame

I don't know what stones are, so I can';t calculate for you, but you can easily eat 1600 and still lose.

A stone is 14lbs - so I currently weight 134lbs, with a goal of 120lbs.

With your goal, you want to aim for 0.5-1lb per week loss. 1.5lbs is too high. You should calculate your TDEE as has been suggested, but just to give you an idea, I'm 5'5.5", burn an average of 250 cals/day with exercise, and I lose weight eating 1500 calories a day. Oh, and I eat ~2000 on weekends, so I average 1650 per day for the week. I lift weights so I don't lose muscle while losing fat. Doing that (and not even being very consistent, because I'm lazy about logging and I like to eat) got me from a 26" waist to a 25" waist in less than 2 months.

I'll also mention that once upon a time I was anorexic, eating ~900 cals a day, and not doing any exercise other than walking. I got down to 112 lbs, but my waist was never as small as it is now. Eating enough and lifting are the keys to getting your body to look the way you want it to, NOT low calories.