It's funny how people still believe this ****e

darrensurrey

"8 moves to melt off that pesky layer of lower-belly fat"
http://www.shape.com/fitness/workouts/lose-pooch-best-exercises-lower-abs

So you CAN spot-burn fat after all. :laugh:

LoraF83

It's only 7:23am and I've actually already had this conversation with someone today. She wanted tips from all her facebook friends on how to make her belly pooch go away. I told her that she couldn't, and then told me that maybe she needed tips on how to "tighten" her stomach instead. Uhh......:noway:

Fortunately, someone else spoke up (well, typed up as it were) and backed up everything I had said about reducing body fat percentage, abs are made in the kitchen, etc. So, I think we've got her on the right track. But I can see why she would think she could do some sit-ups to lose it - that message is virtually everywhere :grumble:

tommygirl15

Money-makin', money money-makin'...

AyaKara

This summer at work, I was looking at my stomach in the mirror in the office & someone said, 'don't worry Kara, just a few more sit-ups & you'll have the body you want'. Meanwhile, I have a pooch! Very funny & goes to show how people think :laugh:

darrensurrey

I think the only way is to just let them get on with it, then in a month's time when they complain how they're sore every day and still no better, you let them into the "secret".

gxm17

I hate to burst y'alls bubble but I was able to change the shape of my naturally round belly with core work alone. I still have a layer of fat over my belly but the shape is no longer round, it's flat. Sure, "washboard" abs require no layer of fat, but one can change the shape of their "pooch" with core work only.

SideSteel

I hate to burst y'alls bubble but I was able to change the shape of my naturally round belly with core work alone. I still have a layer of fat over my belly but the shape is no longer round, it's flat. Sure, "washboard" abs require no layer of fat, but one can change the shape of their "pooch" with core work only.

And how did this work?

Full4Life

I hate to burst y'alls bubble but I was able to change the shape of my naturally round belly with core work alone. I still have a layer of fat over my belly but the shape is no longer round, it's flat. Sure, "washboard" abs require no layer of fat, but one can change the shape of their "pooch" with core work only.

Agree. There's also a post somewhere around here about a girl with no butt squatting her way into getting one. DOES start with weight loss, though. No way to see the shape of what's underneath till ya lose it!

amonkey794

I hate to burst y'alls bubble but I was able to change the shape of my naturally round belly with core work alone. I still have a layer of fat over my belly but the shape is no longer round, it's flat. Sure, "washboard" abs require no layer of fat, but one can change the shape of their "pooch" with core work only.

They are saying SPOT-BURN not "where-your-body-naturally-wants-to-lose-fat-first" I lost my belly weight first and my arms last. Every body is different. You can't choose where to lose fat first, but you can choose where to build muscle first. Totally different

gxm17

I hate to burst y'alls bubble but I was able to change the shape of my naturally round belly with core work alone. I still have a layer of fat over my belly but the shape is no longer round, it's flat. Sure, "washboard" abs require no layer of fat, but one can change the shape of their "pooch" with core work only.

And how did this work?

Two words: Core work. And I'm happy with the results. I changed my main photo because I am so sick of the "abs are made in the kitchen" meme. The only thing I do in the kitchen is EAT. I was not looking for washboard abs just a nice flat stomach.

Oh, and I've had two c-sections and I'll be 54 next month. If I can do it, anybody can.

darrensurrey

Two words: Core work. And I'm happy with the results. I changed my main photo because I am so sick of the "abs are made in the kitchen" meme. The only thing I do in the kitchen is EAT. I was not looking for washboard abs just a nice flat stomach.

Question is - did you eat at a calorie deficit? If so, then you were losing fat all over regardless.

JesterMFP

I hate to burst y'alls bubble but I was able to change the shape of my naturally round belly with core work alone. I still have a layer of fat over my belly but the shape is no longer round, it's flat. Sure, "washboard" abs require no layer of fat, but one can change the shape of their "pooch" with core work only.

Agree. There's also a post somewhere around here about a girl with no butt squatting her way into getting one. DOES start with weight loss, though. No way to see the shape of what's underneath till ya lose it!

That's different - the girl with "no butt" obviously built up muscle, and you can target muscle growth with exercises. You can't target fat loss though. People that achieve flat bellies aren't doing so by building muscle, but by reducing fat. They may believe that they have spot-reduced that fat, but it just happens that their body was ready to let it go in that area.

gxm17

Two words: Core work. And I'm happy with the results. I changed my main photo because I am so sick of the "abs are made in the kitchen" meme. The only thing I do in the kitchen is EAT. I was not looking for washboard abs just a nice flat stomach.

Question is - did you eat at a calorie deficit? If so, then you were losing fat all over regardless.

I usually eat all my calories back. I'm 5' 3.5" and, currently, I'm 121.4 lbs. Even when I was younger and thinner (112 lbs), I had a round belly. Through core work, I've been able to change the shape of my stomach. I do not have washboard abs because there's a layer of fat hiding the muscle, but that wasn't what I was after anyway.

darrensurrey

I usually eat all my calories back. I'm 5' 3.5" and, currently, I'm 121.4 lbs. Even when I was younger and thinner (112 lbs), I had a round belly. Through core work, I've been able to change the shape of my stomach. I do not have washboard abs because there's a layer of fat hiding the muscle, but that wasn't what I was after anyway.

I'm not questioning where you are now. Undoubtedly, you've achieved a great body.

I think you've been at a level where it made a difference because you've gone from a weak core to a strong core and the muscles are now pulling in the remaining fat - whereas for most people who just wish their belly was smaller, doing crunches, planks and so on won't make much of a difference. Eating less, however, will transform their bodies.

Personally, I've always had a strong core from rock climbing yet always had a layer of fat covering my abs. It's only when I started fat burning and eating less that things have moved in the right direction.