will i EVER lose this belly fat (pics)

Sid1988
Sid1988 Posts: 170 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
SW: 157lbs
CW: 137lbs
GW: 120lbs
Height 5'6
Age 24
No children

Since I can remember i have always had a big tummy, and for some parts in my life i have been big all over.

I started my quest for a new healthy lifestyle in May 2012 and it has been a slow journey as I have only lost 20lbs since then but i must admit, i've had a fair few 'cheat day' as such.

But now i want to do this properly and would ideally love to lose my last 17lbs by June this year, so that's 4 months.

I have started the Xtrain fitness DVDs which is a 12 week programme, 8 seperate DVDs that target all different parts of your body, aswell as still doing cardio at my gym 3 times a week.

I am going to eat clean, chicken, eggs, veg, salad and lots of water and i'm going to avoid alcohol as much as i possibly can.

If i stick to this, will that horrible massive belly dissapear? i dont want to be mistaken for a whale on my holiday in june (first time abroad so it's a big deal to me).

I don't want to be a skinny super model, i just want to look healthy, toned and a flat tummy!

any advise, tips, information, stories etc would be MUCH appreciated

Thank you :)

weight_zpsa082de2a.png

p.s i hope this photo works?

Replies

  • pinkcow84
    pinkcow84 Posts: 19 Member
    You look great! Unfortunately I have no advice for the belly issue. I'm also about 17 pounds from my GW and have had belly issues this entire journey :/
  • KWake1
    KWake1 Posts: 148 Member
    What about trying something like pilates? Or even starting strength training (lifting)? I know you can't spot reduce but perhaps toning and strengthening your core would help.

    Also, eating clean should help for sure.
  • firstsip
    firstsip Posts: 8,399 Member
    Weight training, 100%.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    Weight training, 100%.
  • patches5052
    patches5052 Posts: 1
    I really think you lake great personally. But for supplements, you might try a good thermogenic and do a fair amount of cardio. Also it never hurts to do some good core and abdominal workouts. For the supplements I'm currently taking Musclepharm's Shred matrix and it's working out good, but you take 6 pills a day which means the bottle doesn't last but three weeks. I have heard really good things about BSN's hyper shred, I will be trying that next. I hope this info was useful, and good luck! let me know how it goes!
  • Kurls4Daze
    Kurls4Daze Posts: 125 Member
    SOMETHING I HAVE BEEN TRYING THAT HAS BEEN WORKING TO DECREASE MY BELLY IS INTERMITTENT FASTING. I EAT BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 12 PM AND 8 PM THE REST OF THE HOURS IS WATER OR TEA AND SLEEPING. IT HAS BEEN WORKING SO FAR CHECK IT OUT IT MAY HELP YOU.
  • staplebug
    staplebug Posts: 189
    Unfortunately, you can't spot reduce fat. And genetics are sometimes out to get you. I feel like no matter how much weight I lose and how good I look everywhere else on my body, my arms will always be fat. Sad, but true. I'm doing my best to tone them, though. Try a program that just works on core and abs and do tons of cario to reduce overall body fat. Jillian Michaels has a killer abs DVD I've heard is good (never tried it, though).
  • Beautifulsoull
    Beautifulsoull Posts: 136
    Planks will help tighten up your core muscles plus the whole body. But weight lifting is going to be your best bet.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,428 MFP Moderator
    Based on your current calorie intake, it's going to be hard. More than likely, you are losing a lot of muscle because most days you are barely taking in 1200 calories. If you want a lean and tight body, you need to fuel your muscle to you maintain it. Also, don't worry about the weight goal, cutting weight isnt what makes you look good, it's all about fat loss. Unfortunately, 120 is on the lower end of an acceptable weight for that height, so it's quite possible you will need to do a bulk phase to gain more muscle and fill out the skin. I would seriously start having a calorie deficit around 1/2 lb per week or eating 20% below your TDEE, i would also make it higher in protein to maintain whatever muscle you have left.

    The next thing I would do is drop the extra cardio. At this point since Xtrain has cardio in it, extra cardio will just end up burning more calories and increase the chances of more muscle loss. You will be fine with just doing the program as designed, which probably includes eating more calories (around 1800 by my calculations).

    Essentially, it's all about lowering your body fat and maintaining your muscle.
  • sarahstrezo
    sarahstrezo Posts: 568 Member
    I think you'll see great results with weight training. Heavy weight training.

    I'm 5'5" and now about 127lbs. It's taking so long for that last bit of fat to leave my mid section. Unfortunately, it's my very last area to lose and it just might be yours.
    The fastest and best results I have seen have been due to eating at a very, very slight deficit (currently 12%) and lifting heavy, 3 times per week. And time....it just takes time.
  • meghan6867
    meghan6867 Posts: 388 Member
    Weight training, 100%.

    For real. I'm almost same weight as you (a little heavier actually). I've really gotten leaner and stronger with weight training... especially around my middle.
  • erinsueburns
    erinsueburns Posts: 865 Member
    My best answer. Maybe. BUT some of that looks like loose skin instead of fat.

    And we are about the same height, feel free to check out my pictures (I think they are public?) But it took strength training and for me actually gaining weight to pull my dangle belly (that's what I call it) back in. That picture of me in my underwear is the end of January with about 3-4 months of strength training. I am no where close to goal, and now am going to the gym to do more serious weight lifting BECAUSE even body weight was giving me improvements that I wasn't seeing with other methods. I want those improvements to increase :) But for the more on point thing to, you, I have actually gained five pounds which sounds bad, BUT pants that I couldn't even button properly without massive tummy tamer appliances are now buttonable and comfortable. That's right - at five pounds heavier than my lowest weight my tummy has gotten smaller.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,428 MFP Moderator
    I really think you lake great personally. But for supplements, you might try a good thermogenic and do a fair amount of cardio. Also it never hurts to do some good core and abdominal workouts. For the supplements I'm currently taking Musclepharm's Shred matrix and it's working out good, but you take 6 pills a day which means the bottle doesn't last but three weeks. I have heard really good things about BSN's hyper shred, I will be trying that next. I hope this info was useful, and good luck! let me know how it goes!

    Pills will not provide any greater results. And more cardio will just lead to greater muscle loss.. bad advice IMHO.
  • darrylhoag
    darrylhoag Posts: 2
    It's the alcohol. If I don't drink beer my belly shrinks almost immediately. It's a tough one to stop though. You said you wanted to stay away from it as much as you can so it sounds like that is really that last hurdle. Hope that didn't come across negative, just experience talking.
  • scottdeeby
    scottdeeby Posts: 95 Member
    losing 20 lbs is a great achievement.
  • sarahstrezo
    sarahstrezo Posts: 568 Member
    Oh...and just peaking at your diary....I think you need to eat more. Probably quite a bit more.
  • Sid1988
    Sid1988 Posts: 170 Member
    My best answer. Maybe. BUT some of that looks like loose skin instead of fat.

    And we are about the same height, feel free to check out my pictures (I think they are public?) But it took strength training and for me actually gaining weight to pull my dangle belly (that's what I call it) back in. That picture of me in my underwear is the end of January with about 3-4 months of strength training. I am no where close to goal, and now am going to the gym to do more serious weight lifting BECAUSE even body weight was giving me improvements that I wasn't seeing with other methods. I want those improvements to increase :) But for the more on point thing to, you, I have actually gained five pounds which sounds bad, BUT pants that I couldn't even button properly without massive tummy tamer appliances are now buttonable and comfortable. That's right - at five pounds heavier than my lowest weight my tummy has gotten smaller.

    when you say loos skin, does that mean it will never go unless i sell everthing i own and get surgery? if i'm sounding silly, i just have absolutely no idea! thanks.
  • Sid1988
    Sid1988 Posts: 170 Member
    Thanks everyone :) alot of the advice is weight training.

    any specific things i should be doing? how much should i aim to be lifting?

    i use 3kg dumbells for my xtrain dvd but i assume they are not heavy enough? what kg should i up to?
  • RobinV_Seattle
    RobinV_Seattle Posts: 191 Member

    when you say loos skin, does that mean it will never go unless i sell everthing i own and get surgery? if i'm sounding silly, i just have absolutely no idea! thanks.

    Not necessarily. If you work on building muscle simultaneously with fat loss, that will help. Plus, as young as you are, your skin is naturally elastic. It may take a little while, but if you treat it properly, it will likely rebound!
  • erinsueburns
    erinsueburns Posts: 865 Member

    when you say loos skin, does that mean it will never go unless i sell everthing i own and get surgery? if i'm sounding silly, i just have absolutely no idea! thanks.

    Not necessarily. If you work on building muscle simultaneously with fat loss, that will help. Plus, as young as you are, your skin is naturally elastic. It may take a little while, but if you treat it properly, it will likely rebound!

    Yes this! Time is a great healer of skin for many people.
  • sarahstrezo
    sarahstrezo Posts: 568 Member
    I honestly don't think loose skin is your problem. Just my opinion though ;)

    When I say lifting heavy...I mean, going into the weight room of the gym and lifting a weight that's heavy enough that you can only do 5-7 reps at a time. Stronglifts and New Rules Of Lifting For Women are great places to start.

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