stomach is always the last lose...

jpalocy77
jpalocy77 Posts: 114 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I am not looking for the "6 pack ab" I know how difficult it is to achieve in women.. I just want a FLAT or at least CLOSE to a flat stomach.. I feel that is always the last to go. My "girls" shrunk ALOT..my legs and hips have shrunk a MASS amount... I am all tummy left.. I would ask what I should do to start getting some of that to go bye bye.. but i'm guessing patience and exercise and it will come.. it is starting to make me lose faith in my weight loss~!
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Replies

  • thatonepersonfromtheinternet
    thatonepersonfromtheinternet Posts: 136 Member
    I'm in the same position so I can't offer an answer, sorry. Let's hope the other responses help us.
  • TeachTheGirl
    TeachTheGirl Posts: 2,091 Member
    No spot reduction. Just keep plugging away at that fat loss.

    I've basically gotten to the point where I'm adamant the last of my weight is in my stomach and hips and that even if it takes me the next who-cares-how-many years to do it, that's my 'end goal'. =)
  • curvygirl77
    curvygirl77 Posts: 769 Member
    I guess it depends on the person, my midsection went down at a decent rate-- but I was also doing turbofire plus les mills combat ---I think lots of cardio is suppose to help but I'm not really sure---it worked for me
  • m_wilh
    m_wilh Posts: 362 Member
    I'm in the same boat. I've started lifting weights. I've read soooo many articles, books, MFP threads, etc. and most agree that weightlifting is the key to slimming down that mid-section. I've just started the program in the book, The New Rules For Lifting For Women, this week. I'm hoping to see big changes in the near future.
  • curvygirl77
    curvygirl77 Posts: 769 Member
    I do lift and I think it helps, I just supreme 90 workout DVDs ----but I still have continue working on my midsection and weight loss because according to the stupid BMI chart---I'm over weight
  • Jenni129
    Jenni129 Posts: 692 Member
    I have the same problem. When I started gaining the weight back in my 20s, it started in the midsection and hips, so I suppose that will be the last place to lose it. I'm just going to keep losing the fat by counting cals and doing exercise and hope that does it.
  • Pixilox
    Pixilox Posts: 51 Member
    My thighs and tush have gotten smaller but my belly hasn't and that's the part I want to lose most! I'll just keep going and see what happens.
  • jzammetti
    jzammetti Posts: 1,956 Member
    retain a small deficit and lift heavy things - best fat burner around!
  • Agate69
    Agate69 Posts: 349 Member
    Work core muscles. It is the last to go, as a child and 100 pounds, swimming daily, I still did not have flat abs. Genetics.
  • WDEvy
    WDEvy Posts: 814 Member
    I depends on people... My stomach was the first place where I lost most of my weight.
  • Shetchncn1
    Shetchncn1 Posts: 260 Member
    Do your normal routine but add a core routine on top of it. It should help.
  • karenertl
    karenertl Posts: 271 Member
    My butt and belly are harboring the last of the fat I want to lose. I'm thinking of doing squats to keep my butt from getting too flat.
  • russharris23
    russharris23 Posts: 9
    been trying to get my down flat also have been doing a lot of cardio wearing sweatshirts to sweat as much as I can little by little it is going down like someone else said core muscle work is also key
  • simplyciera
    simplyciera Posts: 168 Member
    I've read on forums/blogs that your body type decides where you deposit fat, and when you start losing weight wherever you started gaining last is what starts shrinking first.

    For example, I'm a pear shape; my bust & waist is smaller than my hips. Fat typically goes to my hips and thighs first and then my tummy second. As I've lost, weight has melted off my stomach, but won't budge off my thighs.

    I'd suggest keep doing cardio (HIIT or something) to burn fat and then lift to get muscle tone & definition. Ultimately, love that body. It's the only one you have & you can't change it unless you have money for plastic surgery!
  • SJVZEE
    SJVZEE Posts: 451 Member
    I am not looking for the "6 pack ab" I know how difficult it is to achieve in women.. I just want a FLAT or at least CLOSE to a flat stomach.. I feel that is always the last to go. My "girls" shrunk ALOT..my legs and hips have shrunk a MASS amount... I am all tummy left.. I would ask what I should do to start getting some of that to go bye bye.. but i'm guessing patience and exercise and it will come.. it is starting to make me lose faith in my weight loss~!

    I think a lot of it is how you're shaped. I'm pear shaped and I lost my weight literally starting from face on down. I'm around 50lbs lighter now and have been in maintenance for a few months. I have my ideal body, except for my 'pear thighs'. My stomach is totally flat-saddlebags, not so much lol. But, I realized that losing more weight wouldn't get rid of them (I'm at a bmi of 20 right now), so I've started running to get rid of the last oomph.

    Maybe do something like JM's 30 Day Shred-lots of people have seen great results in their stomach area with that program, or ones that are similar :)
  • rjmudlax13
    rjmudlax13 Posts: 900 Member
    My lower belly and love handles are just hanging on for dear life. It sucks. It really just comes down to reducing body fat though. Lifting weights can help with this, but there is no magic pill or exercise. Just keep lowering bf %.

    Someone told me once that losing body fat is like a melting snowman. LOL. I suppose that means thin equal layers at a time come off. It may look like your belly is not losing any fat, but it is and just looks like it isn't relative to the rest of your body. In other words, you stay the same general shape, but that shape gets smaller one thin layer at a time. Eventually, your bf will reach a level where you start to get that "ideal" physique. This is just my opinion btw. I'm sure it's more complicated than that.

    Ultimately, it comes down to patience, persistence and hard work.

    Don't give up!
  • leebesstoad
    leebesstoad Posts: 1,186 Member
    Reality bites. And that is your reality. And mine. Everyone stores that last bit of adipose tissue someone unique. Some in the front of the stomach. Some as love handles. Some in their hips or thighs. Some in their arms. It just takes time and continued effort. Spot reduction doesn't work. Creams, rubs and wraps only make the manufacturer rich. Just hang in there. It will come. Longer than you (or I) want. But it will come.
  • Alexandra289
    Alexandra289 Posts: 330 Member
    It drives me mad too. I just want a vaguely flat stomach so I can wear a bikini but it's the first place I put on and last place I lose. Right now it's not too bad when I'm standing (and obviously I've chosen a flattering angle for that picture!!) but not a pretty sight when I'm sitting down!
  • A_Fit_Mom
    A_Fit_Mom Posts: 602 Member
    I am the opposite, my belly went down quickly. It is my thighs and legs that shrink last.
  • iNkedFiTmama
    iNkedFiTmama Posts: 277 Member
    waaa.. i'm right there with ya :\ lol
  • Laac68
    Laac68 Posts: 55
    I carry most of my weight in my stomach. When I started to gain weight, my stomach was where it shown the most.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I am not looking for the "6 pack ab" I know how difficult it is to achieve in women.. I just want a FLAT or at least CLOSE to a flat stomach.. I feel that is always the last to go. My "girls" shrunk ALOT..my legs and hips have shrunk a MASS amount... I am all tummy left.. I would ask what I should do to start getting some of that to go bye bye.. but i'm guessing patience and exercise and it will come.. it is starting to make me lose faith in my weight loss~!

    Stomach is the last to go because it is your body's primary fat stores...it's deep storage. This is true for pretty much all mammals...that's why bacon tastes so good...pork belly.

    If you really want a flat tummy, you need to reduce body fat and also work on body composition...the only way to substantially alter body composition is to do resistance training....full body. You'll never have a flat tummy if you don't work those muscles...and I'm not saying do **** tons of situps and what not, that's a waste of time. Due full body workouts with big compound lifts and do some core work on top of that. Just doing cardio and dieting isn't going to do it.

    Also, it takes a lot of patience and a looonnnng time to dig out those deep fat stores.
  • Boogage
    Boogage Posts: 739 Member
    So glad to see this thread. Not 5 minutes ago I was looking in the mirror and feeling depressed about my big mummy tummy :(
    I've never had a flat tummy and have been working my butt off but its still hanging (literally) in there. I was wondering whether there was any point in keeping on trying to get rid of it after 5 big babies but it's nice to know I'm not struggling alone with this so off to workout I go....
  • Mustang_Susie
    Mustang_Susie Posts: 7,045 Member
    Interesting, because I was just thinking about this very thing as I got on the scale this morning.

    I am only a few (think five at the most) pounds from when I was my smallest as an adult.
    I have pictures that show me with a FLAT, I mean ironing board flat, stomach.

    Now I have a nice little round friend that has absolutely no intention of packing up it's toys and going home.

    I've heard over and over that abs are made in the kitchen, lower your bf%, lift heavy, compound strength moves, body recomposition blah, blah, blah...

    Recomposition? Can I switch out my DNA?

    I'm pretty sure the status of my abs is a result of:
    A) pregnancies
    B) age
    C) hormone shifts in peri-menopause
    D) genetics
  • lin7604
    lin7604 Posts: 2,951 Member
    it sucks! i only had 25 lbs to lose and have been at this for just over 1.5 years and i still have lower belly fat i am trying to get rid of. I hit my weight goal but can't slim down the chub!
  • CandiQueen
    CandiQueen Posts: 57
    I have no idea and wish I could help you but I am the opposite. I don't think the belly is the last to go because it has the majority of fat stores, people just lose weight differently. Even when I am 20-30 lbs over my goal weight, my stomach is relatively flat but my hips and thighs are explosive. People just carry weight differently and lose it differently. if its the last place to lose then at least by the time you achieve a flat stomach you won't have any other problem areas.

    Good luck, hard work and exercise, and you're almost there!
  • LolasEpicJourney
    LolasEpicJourney Posts: 1,010 Member
    I have heard first to gain last to lose.
    My stomach has shrunk a lot. Hips bum and thighs are more my trouble area. I have come to terms that I may never have a flat stomach without surgical intervention due to how big I was though.
  • michelledfoster
    michelledfoster Posts: 22
    I am not looking for the "6 pack ab" I know how difficult it is to achieve in women.. I just want a FLAT or at least CLOSE to a flat stomach.. I feel that is always the last to go. My "girls" shrunk ALOT..my legs and hips have shrunk a MASS amount... I am all tummy left.. I would ask what I should do to start getting some of that to go bye bye.. but i'm guessing patience and exercise and it will come.. it is starting to make me lose faith in my weight loss~!

    I think a lot of it is how you're shaped. I'm pear shaped and I lost my weight literally starting from face on down. I'm around 50lbs lighter now and have been in maintenance for a few months. I have my ideal body, except for my 'pear thighs'. My stomach is totally flat-saddlebags, not so much lol. But, I realized that losing more weight wouldn't get rid of them (I'm at a bmi of 20 right now), so I've started running to get rid of the last oomph.

    Maybe do something like JM's 30 Day Shred-lots of people have seen great results in their stomach area with that program, or ones that are similar :)

    I've just started--so I'm definitely no expert--but I have been doing JM "No More Trouble Zones", and I am seeing an all over reduction so far. I am also very lucky in that I carry the extra weight everywhere--not just in one or two trouble spots, so that may make a difference. Try JM's videos, tho, they are so great. But, Bob's "cardio rev" is 10 times harder than any of Jill's videos that Ive done. Love them both ! Good luck to all of us !! Just keep going !!
  • STrooper
    STrooper Posts: 659 Member
    One of the things I've discovered over a longish period of time is once you achieve your target weight (I did last Thanksgiving), your body continues to change even though you may have changed your profile to a maintenance mode. The body fat or body mass continues to shift around.

    As others have suggested doing core strengthening exercises help from the standpoint of toning the underlying muscles. More important is a mix exercises that work all the muscle groups (on different days to give some muscle groups rest).

    While I did lots of walking and hiking (with and without a pack and with and without trekking poles) as my main cardiovascular conditioning, you could still tell there was a (significant) layer of fat that overlay the muscles (stomach, thighs, buttocks). When I added back running (actually a run/walk combination) to my routine the presence of the stomach fat has greatly diminished.

    Maybe that is a guy thing. But the thing that seems true is that when you reach your goal weight, your body is still be changing for a while.
  • lilbearzmom
    lilbearzmom Posts: 600 Member
    Me too. But I'm apple shaped so pretty much ANY extra weight I carry will be in that area. Sucks.

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