new here
iwannabinnarnia
Posts: 179 Member
Hi, I'm new here... I'm about 5'1", and bounce in weight between 121 - 123... I'm wanting to lose another 10 lbs... but I am having issues with my belly area. Even though I've lost 25 lbs already I look pregnant. I've been using a weighted hula hoop, and a treadmill for my exercise routine. I did just join a gym and have started going and using the elliptical and the stationary bike. I have also begun jogging 5ks though I believe I injured myself doing a trail run a couple weeks ago, I go to the doctor tomorrow to have it checked out. I also signed on for 5 sessions with a personal trainer at the gym. But I'm wondering if there are others who have had the "I'm not really fat but I look pregnant" issue and what they have found that helps. (by the way.. I've never been pregnant so it's not left over baby fat)
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Start weight training. It helps burn body fat all over.
Also look into possible food causes- it could be bloated, not fat. I was having issues with my stomach staying huge no matter my exercise- turns out I'm lactose intolerant.
After 2 days of cutting out dairy I went down 2-3 inches in my stomach.
Keep up the cardio. It will help too, but definitely add in strength training, and don't be afraid!0 -
Start weight training. It helps burn body fat all over.
Also look into possible food causes- it could be bloated, not fat. I was having issues with my stomach staying huge no matter my exercise- turns out I'm lactose intolerant.
After 2 days of cutting out dairy I went down 2-3 inches in my stomach.
Keep up the cardio. It will help too, but definitely add in strength training, and don't be afraid!
This!0 -
Hi! I am new! I love nutrition and fitness talk!0
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Hi! I too found that my protruding gut was caused by both excess fat AND bloat. Here are the things I've found help trim down the belly.
- drink as much water as you can. I was never a fan of water because other drinks tasted so much better. But by cutting out all of those empty calories, my palate changed over time and now water is what I crave. You can cut up orange slices to steep in your water and it adds a nice flavor without added calories.
- take a probiotic supplement.
- this one is a bit controversial, but if you take birth control pills, consider one with a very low estrogen dosage. It keeps monthly cycles very short or non-existent and lessens or eliminates the monthly bloat.
- eliminate chewing gum, carbonated beverages and most importantly, artificial sweeteners, they contribute to bloat.
- bulk up on the high-fiber foods. I like to load up my morning smoothies with greens, oatmeal, and chia seeds and then sweeten them up with berries. Blackberries, raspberries & blueberries are high in fiber and help "hide" the taste of the weird stuff - plus, you can get them frozen year round.
- try incorporating yoga or ballet based exercise (Pure Barre, Barre Method) into your routine, it helps improve posture and tone deeper muscles that are hard to reach with cardio or weight/resistance training. Still keep up with your cardio, it burns fat all over and the others help target specific areas. If you do it without any added cardio, you'll still have a layer of fat over your underlying muscles.
- back to the probiotics, eat plain nonfat greek yogurt and sweeten it yourself with agava or honey.
- cut down your salt intake and eat naturally diuretic foods like asparagus, tomatoes & pineapple
- stating the obvious here, but avoid deep fried foods. I live in Georgia and avoiding Chik-fil-A is a weekly challenge for me, but they now offer grilled chicken nuggets which are pretty darn good! I've found there's usually a healthy choice wherever I go.
- try to get eight hours of sleep every night. Sleeplessness and stress tie in to raised cortisol levels in the body and cortisol prompts the body to store fat in the midsection. This was the hardest one for me!
I hope my list helps you - and please know that I worked into these gradually and got used to them one or two steps at a time. It helped make them part of my daily life and not rules. It took me about three months to make all of them habits - but in those three months I lost 4" from around my belly. Be well!0 -
I am not new to myfitnesspal but new to actually posting on here! I am 5'3 and long legs with a short torso.. so i always look chubby! I have found that cardio ( i did T-25) and weight training has helped me lose inches in my mid section that I have never been able to lose in the past.0
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Thanks for the tips... what is a good probiotic supplement to take? I do have 'issues' with digestion so maybe that would help me.0
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Hi my name is Joy I have been on MFP for a while now. I have no idea what I currently weigh, not weighed for about 3 weeks last weigh in I was 147 lbs I think. I would like to lose about another 15lbs I think. I have had 3 babies including a set of twins so my abs are a problem area but I also have fat on my arms that I need to get rid of. I run 3 times a week, lift weights 3 times a week, go to a 2 hour dance class once a week and try to fit in a DVD if possible. I will be 43 on Thursday. My kids are 18 and the twins 10 on Saturday. My boys have autism/ADHD. I work as a midwife in the UK. I eat a strict paleo diet. Anyone can add me if I can be of support to you.0
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Everyone that mentioned weight training-- what exercises do you recommend for losing inches/fat in the stomach area?
How many sets and reps?
Do you work with free weights?0
