Targeting areas...

Faericn_Rising
Faericn_Rising Posts: 235
in Health and Weight Loss
Ok... So i have been doing a lot of cardio, dancing and walks mostly.... and my legs look AMAZING. I dont even know whose thighs these are....

However, while i see my belly fat shrinking, and that spare tire area deflating somewhat, i think i want to try and 'target' my stomach and lower abdomen.

How do you do that? Can i do that? I heard doing 1000 crunches will still burn fat from your whole body, not just the muscle group covered in fat.

And i can do 1000 cals of cardio in a day if i want, and while i wont love it ill do it... but i dont think i can do many crunches, maybe sit ups, if i stick my toes under the couch... maybe...

Now, this is NOT my body, mine is MUCH smaller, but i still dont dare post my own fats to a public place. :-) However, the area in red, is what i want to focus on, to catch it up to my awesome legs, and ever shrinking upper body....

rolls.jpg

Sorry for the picture, but this is exactly how my fat is distributed, with the indentation across the belly button, (prolly from wearing too small jeans my entire early life... ) and again, while this isnt my own body, i have the same distribution and need to know how to go about evening out.

Thoughts? If i can, do this? Even when i was in onederland i had this... again, much smaller, but it was still there.... i want it gone!

Replies

  • djames92
    djames92 Posts: 990 Member
    the big problem with that is that you cant target fat loss you just have to work for it. one thing that might help you is that cardio isnt the best at burning fat it just burns calories one thing you could try is lifting rather then running. try doing some squats and leglifts to start if your legs are already in shape but dont leave out you upper body. and dont worry about getting to muscular because its actually very hard for women to build excessive muscle so lifting wont make you "manly".
  • Erienneb
    Erienneb Posts: 592 Member
    I have the same problem, indentations and all, as gross as that is.
    I have, and have always had, fantastic legs and arms. My ankles are so small they look odd on my body.
    You can't target. My stomach is shrinking, but slowly, and that's just how it is. Your body doesn't know "oh take the fat from here" it just knows "remove fat from somewhere". Every body carries weight and loses weight different. I feel your pain though, it's very frustrating.
  • tacticalhippie
    tacticalhippie Posts: 596 Member
    it gets better.
    you can't target areas.
    but after i posted something about trying to lose in my thighs without being all skeleton-ish... weight lifting was suggested.
  • withchaco
    withchaco Posts: 1,026 Member
    I know exactly what you mean about your body shrinking yet still having the same problems. The problem areas are still there, although smaller. I'm having the same issue!

    Unfortunately, there is no way to lose fat from a specific body part. You just have to keep losing fat and eventually it will come off -- even the most stubborn part. I know I won't have a flabby belly when I bring my body fat % down to 18% or so.
  • LoraF83
    LoraF83 Posts: 15,694 Member
    You can specifically work areas of the body more than others (surely you've seen body builders with huge arms and tiny legs), but you can't spot reduce fat.

    Your stomach fat will disappear eventually. You just have to keep losing weight and reducing your body fat percentage. We are genetically predisposed to carry weight in different areas of our body - you (like a lot of women) are unlucky in that your body is programmed to store a lot of it around your midsection. So, this is likely to be the last place you lose fat from. For me, I carry more extra fat on my back than anywhere else. So, while my legs and arms look a lot better, I still have "chunkiness" above my bra band. It sucks, and I don't like it, but all I can do is keep losing weight.

    Crunches and ab work won't help you. They will give you a stronger core, which is a plus, but they won't necessarily reduce your fat there. Just keep losing weight. Take up strength training for an added boost - if you do compound lifting, it works your whole body.
  • ParaSempreAmor11
    ParaSempreAmor11 Posts: 105 Member
    i use to do cardio but now i dont do cardio anymore literally all i do is
    squats
    crunches
    lunges
    donkey kickbacks
    bicycle crunches
    sumo squats
    split squats
    i do 100 each everyday before i go to bed and i must say in one week my stomach looks like it has gotten smaller and lifted by that i mean the lower part is getting smaller and starting to lift. that is ALL i do..
    DO NOT i STRONGLY advise you to NOT weigh yourself because you will gain muscle meaning you will gain weight but that is good weight but you will see a big difference in your body :)
  • invisibubble
    invisibubble Posts: 662 Member
    Weights and resistance, yes. I have the indentation too, but it used to be HUGE. It did shrink through cardio and diet quite a bit (I had a lot to lose) but I've noticed significant improvement since making my workouts 50-70% resistance. (I need cardio for panic attacks and stuff, helps me, and it burns fat well which is good)
    Compound exercises are supposed to help (stuff like bent over rows, squats, chest presses) and spot reduction is not possible.
    I'd say keep doing cardio and gradually incorporate strength. They're both important at this stage.
    And make sure your macros are good, especially on workout days. You'll need decent amounts of carbs and fats for energy and recovery, respectively.

    Edited for a typo.
  • ladytinkerbell99
    ladytinkerbell99 Posts: 970 Member
    bump
  • RainbootsToBikinis
    RainbootsToBikinis Posts: 465 Member
    Cardio makes you a smaller version of you. Weight lifting is the way to change your shape. bodybuilding.com has some great introductory programs, including Jamie Eason's Live Fit Trainer, which I can highly recommend.
  • invisibubble
    invisibubble Posts: 662 Member
    Balls, meant to say carbs and PROTEINS, not carbs and fats. Eh, sorry.
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    Can't target fat loss.

    Moderate calorie deficit and patience.

    Weight lifting to help with hormonal process driving fat loss. The bigger muscle groups the better- more muscle used, more hormonal release. Squats, Deadlifts, Overhead Press, Dips, Chin/Pull ups, Bench Press, & Lunges for the win. Abs are small muscle, and get used as stabilizers for most of these lifts. Don't waste precious gym time training your abs- it won't help your belly fat loss one iota. Do however much or little cardio as you like,

    Start with Stronglifts 5x5 if you need a good beginner free program.
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    Can't target fat loss.

    Moderate calorie deficit and patience.

    Weight lifting to help with hormonal process driving fat loss. The bigger muscle groups the better- more muscle used, more hormonal release. Squats, Deadlifts, Overhead Press, Dips, Chin/Pull ups, Bench Press, & Lunges for the win. Abs are small muscle, and get used as stabilizers for most of these lifts. Don't waste precious gym time training your abs- it won't help your belly fat loss one iota. Do however much or little cardio as you like,

    Start with Stronglifts 5x5 if you need a good beginner free program.

    What this delightful young lady said.

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