Losing weight, but still have a gut

I've lost 26 pounds since April, and I feel great. But I still have a gut! I've been eating healthier foods, recording everything, straying from fatty foods. I've been doing some cardio (30 minutes elliptical/amt) 3 to 5 times a week. Any specific exercises for the gut? I've heard sit ups and what not, really don't do the trick. Advice?
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Replies

  • Awkward30
    Awkward30 Posts: 1,927 Member
    Sorry, no way to spot reduce, and men frequently lose last from the tummy. Although that is pretty much genetically determined. Just gotta keep doing what you're doing and you'll get there eventually!
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    I would add some strength training to the cardio. That will help with body fat in general. But no one gets to pick where they lose their fat. Just keep on truckin. (And personally, I like sit-ups. :smile: )
  • chiera88
    chiera88 Posts: 155
    just have to wait it out :( i've been trying to lose my gut too. otherwise i look great! lol
  • thewang
    thewang Posts: 71 Member
    strength training is a must - work on your core

    Planks kill me, but have helped me lose around the middle.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    A slight caloric deficit (a weekly weight loss goal of 0.5 to 1.0 lb/week depending on how much you have to lose), heavy lifting strength training program, adequate protein intake, and time.

    Cardio is not needed to lose fat, cardio just allows you to eat more and maintain the same caloric deficit as you can achieve by diet alone. That said cardio has a host of benefits, but fat loss is not one of them, while strength training will help retain the muscle you already have, and without it a large % of your loss will come from lean muscle.
  • mickey_weathers
    mickey_weathers Posts: 17 Member
    Beachbody Workout, or Ripped in 30 workouts.......
  • mellabyte
    mellabyte Posts: 193 Member
    Same boat. My gub is one of the last things to go I guess. It wave at me, all stubbornly. >_<

    Spot reducing is a myth though. Keep on doing what you're doing (plus up the strength training) and it'll start going when there's no other fat left for your burning to kill off. :) (I've also received advice about severely cutting carbs and saturated fats to help it along.)
  • saxmaniac
    saxmaniac Posts: 1,133 Member
    You can't spot-reduce your gut fat. But, good posture, de-flabbing the abs, keeping your core engaged certainly can take a few inches of size off. Having some decent core strength (some situps, but can you do a 2 minute plank?) will teach your muscles how to do that. Same goes for pullups, they will teach your shoulders where to properly rest.

    See my pic - that's my core engaged. If I walk around slump-shouldered without engaging it, I look way fatter.
  • jonilynn70
    jonilynn70 Posts: 145 Member
    They say muscle burns fat faster so I would make sure you incorporate all over strength training in your routine weekly.
  • acstansell
    acstansell Posts: 567 Member
    When I was intervalling regularly, my stomach was noticeably smaller. You could take up running.

    Edit: I noticed you said you were doing cardio on an eliptical, so I apologize. I did notice that I was doing better (as weird as it sounds) doing intervals than straight running. Maybe increase the incline or hardness of the eliptical rather than the speed.
  • marie_cressman
    marie_cressman Posts: 980 Member
    I would agree with the strength training. I have noticed a difference in my belly since working with weights. Now, I still have 22lbs I'd like to lose so my tummy isn't flat, but it's definitely smaller than it used to be! ;)
  • havetubawilltravel
    havetubawilltravel Posts: 649 Member
    Personal experience: get a kayak. I bought a used kayak, and paddled 3 or 4 times a week for about 30 minutes at a time, on flat water (lake, pond, slow stream). I wasn't dieting, just looking to tone up, and in ninety days, I lost no weight but took FOUR INCHES off my waist.
  • fatamerica
    fatamerica Posts: 7 Member
    Sorry, no way to spot reduce, and men frequently lose last from the tummy. Although that is pretty much genetically determined. Just gotta keep doing what you're doing and you'll get there eventually!

    Indeed.
  • gameny
    gameny Posts: 5 Member
    I feel your pain. I lost some weight but still have a gut. I have begun doing some situps and crunches along with cardio/strength training. There has been some reduction of gut. Do not forget to strengthen your core. (You will burn more calories at rest). Time is the answer...Keep at it and it will reduce. Good Luck...
  • bonniecarbs
    bonniecarbs Posts: 446 Member
    There are several good tips on here that say using strength training, and one person said to 'work your abs". I'm no professional like a lot of people are, but I hope you dont accept people telling you what you "can't do" with your body. Saying that you cant spot reduce and then saying "this" will take off a few inches, doesnt sound solid. Call it what you want to, if you can take off some inches, thats what you want, right. I really wish people would stop preaching "you cant spot reduce", and offer some suggestions instead, like strength training and core working. You will get there, hey I did! I spot reduced my belly with extra work and emphasis on the belly.
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    tumblr_m8jtw0i6YB1qffloyo1_500.jpg
  • Bronx_Montgomery
    Bronx_Montgomery Posts: 2,284 Member
    I was having the same problem too. I still have somewhat of a gut but not much as I use to. What I did was for a few month cut out beer especially on the weekends. Also if you look at my dairy you can see that I keep my foods simple with a lot of protein and vegetables. It helps. Also make sure you are doing different variations of ab exercises.
  • IronmanPanda
    IronmanPanda Posts: 2,083 Member
    Tae Bo
  • postrockandcats
    postrockandcats Posts: 1,145 Member
    I've heard many people, both here and elsewhere, say that they didn't loose the tummy until the very last. So, keep it up! You're halfway there and it will be gone soon enough. As will mine!
  • starracer23
    starracer23 Posts: 1,011 Member
    Try some HIIT cardio...it's a great fat burner!
  • MassiveDelta
    MassiveDelta Posts: 3,271 Member
    Tae Bo

    In conjunction with a tape worm ...those are the results you desire
  • reyna99
    reyna99 Posts: 489 Member
    I've been on this journey for over a year and my gut is my problem area...give it time....That is my goal NO SITTING GUT!

    and remember

    You get abs in the kitchen!
  • 1holegrouper
    1holegrouper Posts: 323 Member
    OK. I have just been through this myself. Sure, there is no such thing as spot reducing BUT, when you finally reveal your abs you want something respectable to be there so make sure you do regular ab work! Now how to peel the layers off this onion:

    It takes a lot of patience, commitment and even a good sense of humor for most guys to get through this stage; unless you are less than 25 years old or genetically gifted- all sorts of those on this forum, God bless 'em, lol.

    Its 90% about what you eat. You may think your diet is good and healthy but this is likely NOT the case if you want to reveal your abs. I'm talking about 1) finding an optimal window of how many net calories a day you should be taking in. Not to much, not too little 2) eating like a rabbit (greens, greens and then more greens), no sugars, no dairy, no gluten, no starches, no grains, no alcohol, little fruit, precise portions of good fats, lean fish or lean poultry, etc. (this sounds radical but this is what it really takes- at least for me) 3) consider plateau busting strategies like; carb cycling, Intermittent Fasting ("Eat Stop Eat" is a great book), 4) changing up your exercise routine (both strength and cardio and flexibility) and 5) overhaul or review your suppliments and 6) making sure you are getting enough sleep.

    Its a true project but you can do it.
  • Marll
    Marll Posts: 904 Member
    I've lost 26 pounds since April, and I feel great. But I still have a gut! I've been eating healthier foods, recording everything, straying from fatty foods. I've been doing some cardio (30 minutes elliptical/amt) 3 to 5 times a week. Any specific exercises for the gut? I've heard sit ups and what not, really don't do the trick. Advice?

    Your problem is right there....eat more fat and get off grains and you'll loose your gut in no time. Situps will do nothing to trim your waistline at all.
  • erickirb
    erickirb Posts: 12,294 Member
    OK. I have just been through this myself. Sure, there is no such thing as spot reducing BUT, when you finally reveal your abs you want something respectable to be there so make sure you do regular ab work! Now how to peel the layers off this onion:

    It takes a lot of patience, commitment and even a good sense of humor for most guys to get through this stage; unless you are less than 25 years old or genetically gifted- all sorts of those on this forum, God bless 'em, lol.

    Its 90% about what you eat. You may think your diet is good and healthy but this is likely NOT the case if you want to reveal your abs. I'm talking about 1) finding an optimal window of how many net calories a day you should be taking in. Not to much, not too little 2) eating like a rabbit (greens, greens and then more greens), no sugars, no dairy, no gluten, no starches, no grains, no alcohol, little fruit, precise portions of good fats, lean fish or lean poultry, etc. (this sounds radical but this is what it really takes- at least for me) 3) consider plateau busting strategies like; carb cycling, Intermittent Fasting ("Eat Stop Eat" is a great book), 4) changing up your exercise routine (both strength and cardio and flexibility) and 5) overhaul or review your suppliments and 6) making sure you are getting enough sleep.

    Its a true project but you can do it.

    Most people have great abs under the fat without doing any direct ab work. If you do cardio and compound lifting your abs are getting worked and unless you want them to pop out (like a body builder) there is no need for isolation ab exercises.
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    There are several good tips on here that say using strength training, and one person said to 'work your abs". I'm no professional like a lot of people are, but I hope you dont accept people telling you what you "can't do" with your body. Saying that you cant spot reduce and then saying "this" will take off a few inches, doesnt sound solid. Call it what you want to, if you can take off some inches, thats what you want, right. I really wish people would stop preaching "you cant spot reduce", and offer some suggestions instead, like strength training and core working. You will get there, hey I did! I spot reduced my belly with extra work and emphasis on the belly.

    True. A lot of people on here will flame-out when they see a certain keyword. Then they go into all-out robot war, contradicting themselves and each other, then comes the name-calling and the sarcastic memes. Doing the right exercises for your body type makes a huge difference.
  • MzMiller1215
    MzMiller1215 Posts: 633 Member
    I have the same issue but, I've had 4 children so my stomach just wants to store fat. In your case, if you are not doing weights, you should start to incorporate that in your workouts and focus on core workouts as well. If you eat a lot of sugar, be sure to cut that as well. Unfortunately, you aren't going to be able to spot reduce weight loss but, you can help it improve with some tweaking.

    Good luck.
  • MB_Positif
    MB_Positif Posts: 8,897 Member
    Just keep on eating well and doing what you are doing, it will go down! That said, I tried to view your diary and it isn't public. It would probably be good for you to have some people critique your diary to see if there's anything that might be making it tough for the gut to go down. Some people have issues with grains that cause stomach bloat. Could be sodium, fiber, etc.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    once i started to concentrate on strength training in my legs, i noticed my gut disappearing more and more.
  • chachita7
    chachita7 Posts: 996 Member
    STRENGTH TRAIN!!!! only solution :)