women who carry their weight in the midsection?!

SanteMulberry

High cortisol (from stress and not getting enough sleep, for example) make one more likely to store fat on the belly. Age is also a factor as we become more sedentary as we age (leading to higher blood sugar/insulin levels and more abdominal fat). Exercise lowers cortisol and it seems to burn fat from the areas where one is fattest and build up muscle in areas with less fat--sometimes completely changing one's shape. It can even offset some of the changes of aging (shrunken glutes leading to poor standing posture, leading to "dowager's hump" and slack abdominals which make the gut look even fatter than it actually is). Running high insulin levels from eating too many carbs and too many total calories will also raise cortisol levels. Eating large meals in the evening is also a bad idea as it will raise insulin levels too near to bedtime and the increased insulin will lower human growth hormone which is secreted predominantly in the first hours of sleep. Increased human growth hormone will also help offset the tendency to abdominal fat as a person ages. One should stop eating 2-3 hours before bedtime to maximize HGH. It won't likely make a significant difference for dieters in their 20s as they still mostly have a plentiful supply--children, of course, have the largest supply . For a woman, estrogen dominance causes one to deposit more fat on the belly (and in the breasts), progesterone (the "other female hormone") causes one to burn fat at a greater rate because of its effects on thyroid hormone utilization. Progesterone production wanes before estrogen production as one approaches peri-menopause or menopause itself. The herb, Chasteberry, will raise progesterone levels. Exercise will lower estrogen levels and balance things out by making what progesterone a woman has "go farther". Hormones are important.

dixiewhiskey

I think it depends too on your age, whether you've had kids, etc. I am almost 41, pretty much at goal weight but can't seem to shave off the belly - many times I still look pregnant, especially at night when I'm bloated. As women get older, our waists thicken. Unfortunately, I'm living proof...:P

I haven't had any kids but I'm going to be 40 in a couple of months and I feel this way. At this point, I'm pretty happy with most of my body except my stomach. I'd describe my shape as an hourglass with a spare tire around it. Grrr. Hard to lose weight in the tummy.

Say wha? You do NOT look 40!!

dixiewhiskey

That's awesome progress for just 30 days!

Thank you! This was from doing 30 Day Shred and eating fairly clean. I have two kids, gained 55+ lbs with each child.. if I can do it, anyone can do it. Just get moving!!!

lpina2mi

Yup, that is/was me. For me this was also the fastest to go, from my thighs to below the bust. I have no tips then the generic moving more and eating less...a lot less. In previous times my chest was the first to shrink, this time the mid section, of course I had way more to lose this (the last) time.

I have not done any specific exercise in this area either, so far my stomach area is receeding nicely, where I have excess skin is in the inner top of my thighs, I think there are some things we just have no control over.

You.ve done a terrific job. I have a belly flap from a previous loss & reshaping (via exercise)--are there tricks to GET OF THAT?

dixiewhiskey

Yup, that is/was me. For me this was also the fastest to go, from my thighs to below the bust. I have no tips then the generic moving more and eating less...a lot less. In previous times my chest was the first to shrink, this time the mid section, of course I had way more to lose this (the last) time.

I have not done any specific exercise in this area either, so far my stomach area is receeding nicely, where I have excess skin is in the inner top of my thighs, I think there are some things we just have no control over.

That tummy looks so flat!! Nice job! This is really inspiring!

LPDLPD

I have heard that extra weight in the mid section is due in part to stress. Just keep doing what you are doing. The core for women is always the worst. I dream of the day I have a flat, Victoria Secret, belly. I guess having two beautiful little boys has not helped my situation (LOL). Take care.

daydream_believer

thats me mine is extra horrible because there is an actual perminant line that runs across my lower abdomen where the fat above it sits. this is what i primarily lost weight for and what hasnt yet disappeared. sad face. i wonder if it will ever go!

PikaKnight

you cant spot reduce.. u have to lose weight everywhere

I disagree....Yes working directly on the Abs possibly won't work fast....but for example JM 6w/6p you may not get on the floor and do tons of crunches but the entire workout and moves mainly focus on the core....and that was my greatest area I wanted to focus on.... Everyone is different....

No..really. You can't spot reduce.

"Contrary to what the infomercials suggest there is no such thing as spot reduction. Fat is lost throughout the body in a pattern dependent upon genetics, sex (hormones), and age. Overall body fat must be reduced to lose fat in any particular area."
http://www.exrx.net/WeightTraining/Myths.html

http://www.boxingscene.com/weight-loss/38572.php

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/issa72.htm

10 exercise myths that won't go away, By Madison Park, CNN
(#4 - you can't spot reduce)
http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/06/24/exercise.myths.trainers/index.html

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/blogs/go-healthy-ny/WORKOUT-MYTH-Spot-Reducing-124734324.html

staceypunk

Eyeing this thread. I wonder if I will ever get that flat victoria secret tummy too. And enough people say it's possible, so I'm going for it!

remisenforme

Ughhhh I do Hoping it will go far away someday! haha

rsward

:happy: you look great!!

mfoy94

I am 5'4 as well and carry ALL of my weight in my belly. You can add me for support and motivation! I dont have any "tips" other than the 30 Day shred literally has been taking inches away from my hips and waist

rwhyte12

Hi,

I think the best for the waist area is getting an eight pound medicine ball, put it above waist level then go across, then go at out front cross, then down, then cross. Think figure eight. Do three reps of fifteen just like on the weight machines. This was on a show about getting to a bridal gown. I did it for months and it really trimmed the stomach and sides.

For bloating in the evening, I hate the stuff but yogurt with probiotics does seem to be the cure.

Good luck with your tummy. Just like who you are at whatever weight you are and keep increasing whatever you're doing.

drj1955

Bump

MorbidMander

I carry a lot of my weight there as well, mostly as freaking love-handles which are always super attractive (not). Anyway, I'm doing the 30DS and I'm on the 14th day right now, can already see a huge difference (which you can also see in my profile photo). Before that, I was doing endless amounts of 80 cardio for 4 months and lost 20 pounds but gained no definition and I was still 39 inches around my waist. Now that I'm doing 30DS I've lost 5 pounds and I'm 36 inches around my waist. Which.. is progress.

shorty35565

I'm 5'4 3/4.
The b4 pic was End of Aug 2011 at 175lbs
The so far pic was the day after Thanksgiving 2012 at 122lbs
There isn't any special tips I have. Just eat at a reasonable deficit. Dont starve yourself. Lift weights, do some cardio or just get moving and it will come off as it does. You can't spot reduce, just gotta have patience and lower your body fat %
I'm 120lbs now. Here is one from recently. If I can do it, anyone can! I looked preggers!


Oh and I haven't had any kids. People always assume I have though.

SnazzyPeg

I read somewhere that carrying extra weight in your midsection typically means that you are eating too many carbs and that those tend to get stored in your midsection. I was always a pear until about 5 years sgo. Since then, my stomach just kept growing and growing. I went to a holistic gal and she confirmed-I was eating too many carbs. I've had some success cutting back on carbs (especially wheat and sugar). My weight loss is only 7 lbs so far, but I've lost 3 inches in my tummy area this month.

The other biggie is to destress. When you are stressed, your cortisol levels are elevated, which encourages you to store fat-in your midsection.

Good luck!

westva2nc

I, too, carry nearly all of my weight in my mid-section. Have normal size, somewhat toned arms and legs now, but my tummy is a mess:( I have found that boxing and kickboxing are my best allies....more change in the last 2-3 months than ever before. We do lots of planks, flutter kicks, crunches, sit ups with our feet under the bag...leg lifts...anything you can imagine for the last 15 minutes of the class. Before I go to bed at night, I try to do a little bit more to help the lower tummy area. It's hard:( And I am 44...my "babies" are 22 and 14. LOL. I can hardly blame it on the baby weight. But I am gonna do the best I can possibly do to minimize that area. Good luck to you!

shorty35565

I read somewhere that carrying extra weight in your midsection typically means that you are eating too many carbs and that those tend to get stored in your midsection. I was always a pear until about 5 years sgo. Since then, my stomach just kept growing and growing. I went to a holistic gal and she confirmed-I was eating too many carbs. I've had some success cutting back on carbs (especially wheat and sugar). My weight loss is only 7 lbs so far, but I've lost 3 inches in my tummy area this month.

The other biggie is to destress. When you are stressed, your cortisol levels are elevated, which encourages you to store fat-in your midsection.

Good luck!

That's not exactly right. People who are apple shaped and high hip hourglasses (spoons) like me, are going to carry their weight in their midsections no matter how many carbs they eat. I have a friend who eat like 300g of carbs & has abs....so yeah. So people don't react well to carbs or better yet, gluten. Which can cause bloat, but that has nothing to do with fat storage.

marvybells

I accumulate in my midsection and otherwise i am very thin. it looks horrible i HATE IT :frown:

I've been working out since August, first mostly just steady cardio like walking & biking. 2 months ago i tried running but my joints didn't like it so the last month or so (right when i joined MFP to track my food intake) I switched to mostly cardio with/strength training videos. I do plyometric routines, 30DS (& several other Jillian videos), and some other HIIT/tabata routines that I found online that incorporate cardio with plank & core work. In fact with all the core work i've been doing I know I have some killer abs under that damn belly fat...shame you can't see them....

It's sloooowly getting better but sometimes I wonder if i will ever get rid of it all. I'd say when I started in August I was fat all around the middle, front & back. I managed to get it down to fat in the front only after a few months. The past few weeks the upper part of my abs show but the middle/lower part is still fat. At least I went from a mini-keg to a 2 pack, but of course I hope that will turn into a 4 pack & eventually a 6 pack....only time will tell.

AmyEm3

That's me! Even when I was down to my low weight (132-135) last summer I still had too much fat in my stomach area. My face looked so thin (too thin almost) and the rest of me was reasonably thin but with a gut still. The ONLY time I have had a flat stomach was when I didn't eat a single bite of food for 4 days straight. (Not a recommended way to lose the belly, lol)

Anyone can feel free to add me. I understand your frustrations!

Laurenmp16

For me my boobs and butt go first, then the rest starts to go! It will happen!

woahitsangie

:explode: :grumble: Ill be starting 30DS soon, ive started it several times now.. I am just sooo sore in my legs that i cant move on to day 2... I AM DETERMINED! gah.

woahitsangie

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kdb4321

Wow, some inspirational photos here. I've always had trouble with my midsection. Even when at normal weight, my arms and legs can be quite thin, but I still have a bit of a belly.

I'll have to try some of the tips.

woahitsangie

I have gone from 43.5in around my belly button to currently 35....have another 20lbs to lose, hoping that number will keep on dropping.

nturner612

bump for later

TavistockToad

I dont think there are any specific ways to lose fat in one area. All I can say is do lots of cardio and ab exercises

no.

full body strength training is great for fat loss. if you want to do cardio, go for HIIT.

jstout365

I carry in the belly as well. I've been at it for 8 months now and have dropped 28 lbs and 8 inches around the belly button. I have gone from a size 12 pants to a size 4, but even with that I need to wear a belt most days. I do have some pics in my profile.

I go to the gym 6 days a week right now (lifting every day with short cardio --20 min -- a few times a week) and aim for an 80/20 approach to eating where 80% is good, whole foods and the other 20% comes from processed foods I just won't give up.

It takes time and effort to lose the body fat. Be patient and strive to be mostly good about exercise and diet. Don't stress about not being perfect all the time. No one is and it is about the long term, not how you do each day or week even.

juliemouse83

I have gone from 43.5in around my belly button to currently 35....have another 20lbs to lose, hoping that number will keep on dropping.

That is something to be ridiculously proud of!!!