advice on shaping stomach, w/o cutting calories / weight

cynical_one

Hello, I've got a question regarding exercise / eating habits... I've only been counting calories for about 1.5 weeks now, but I went to the doctor today to get an accurate height / weight measurement. The doc told me that my weight / bmi was 'perfect' for my height.... I'm 30 yrs old, male, 5'9, and I weigh about 140 lbs (I think 137 w/o clothes), my bmi was at 20. The problem is I feel like I could stand to lose about an inch around my waste ('true' waist line,above the belly button is 33 in i think); I've got the standard beer-gut i guess, which i'm pretty good at (but tired of) concealing. I plan on cutting the alcohol down drastically, but my diet is already pretty good (lean meats w/ lots of veg). I was basically just wondering if anyone had suggestions regarding toning up my stomach. The doc. told me that I should not be cutting calories, and I don't really want to weigh much less than 140 (maybe 135?), is the only way to firm up your stomach through cutting calories? Or should i just make sure that they're the 'right' calories and workout more? More focus on cardio or crunches and stuff? Any help would be appreciated.

MensEtSalvere2013

losing belly fat is the hardest. To help get mine in better shape I ate eat more veggies, fruits, and nuts such as walnuts and almonds. It is also important to add good fats such as peanut butter, olive oil, and avocado. cutting down on carbs also helps. For exercise of my abdomen I do things such as leg lifts and ab planks. Cardio will also help with fat loss in general and belly fat loss as well. I hope this helps, good luck!

jayrae87

You can't really isolate areas to burn fat, but I've heard that strength training can help you burn fat and build muscle simultaneously. You would probably end up gaining weight in muscle, but losing the gut. You would just want to make sure you're eating the right diet for this.

http://www.eatright.org/Public/content.aspx?id=11633

PrettyCoolCat

@jayrae87 is correct. You cannot isolate areas of your body to burn Fat. Fat is essentially "Stored Energy" and your body will burn it from where it wants when you need the energy. Some people store their last bit of fat in the Legs.. Some in the Chest, Most (Especially Men) In the abdominal region and lower back. The only true way to see your abs is to lower bodyfat %. Your BMI / BF% your doctor said is at 20%. He is correct, This is Healthy. But this is healthy by what the average measurement of "Health" Is. Seeing your 6 pack is beyond that. You have to expend more energy. This can be done by cutting calories in the diet, or Taking part in a Physical Fitness Workout Regimen inside the Gym using Compound exercises and expending energy that way.

Good luck on your goals.

supermodelchic

Try using weights when doing ab exercises, weighted cable crunches are a good example, you can add weight as you get stronger, also dumbells grab some 30lbs stand up straight and go side to side up and down your body. , I do lots of weighted exercises for my ab's and I seem to get good results..I also eat a high protein diet..

cynical_one

sounds good. thank you all for the advice!