Can't get rid of my belly... HELP!

Hello :) I'm 23, 5ft 8" and weigh 10st 3lb. I have slim arms, legs, but my belly just won't go!! I've got the eating healthily sorted but even with stomach crunches it won't shift. I'm either going about it the wrong way or not trying hard enough... Anyone had similar problems or have any tips? I know the stomach is probably the hardest area to get rid of fat for most people but it is getting so frustrating and feel like giving up! Any advise would be much appreciated :) thanks!!

Replies

  • Mitzigan94
    Mitzigan94 Posts: 393 Member
    Hello :) I'm 23, 5ft 8" and weigh 10st 3lb. I have slim arms, legs, but my belly just won't go!! I've got the eating healthily sorted but even with stomach crunches it won't shift. I'm either going about it the wrong way or not trying hard enough... Anyone had similar problems or have any tips? I know the stomach is probably the hardest area to get rid of fat for most people but it is getting so frustrating and feel like giving up! Any advise would be much appreciated :) thanks!!
  • Mitzigan94
    Mitzigan94 Posts: 393 Member
    Hello :) I'm 23, 5ft 8" and weigh 10st 3lb. I have slim arms, legs, but my belly just won't go!! I've got the eating healthily sorted but even with stomach crunches it won't shift. I'm either going about it the wrong way or not trying hard enough... Anyone had similar problems or have any tips? I know the stomach is probably the hardest area to get rid of fat for most people but it is getting so frustrating and feel like giving up! Any advise would be much appreciated :) thanks!!

    Have you tried rowing exercises or body arm ergometers? It helps with the back fat and the bely.
  • HLSalter
    HLSalter Posts: 260
    I've found Pilates to be great for toning my stomach. Maybe give that a go?
  • Nicolette04
    Nicolette04 Posts: 82 Member
    Unfortunately you can't spot reduce fat. You need to have a calorie deficit to lose the extra fat. And I personally believe that doing strength training will help you lose the fat and tone your body. :)
  • maegmez
    maegmez Posts: 341 Member
    From what I understand, you can't target fat. You sound like an apple and hold your fat on your tummy. Since that is where you store most of your fat, it will be the last to go. Just keep going!
  • PapaverSomniferum
    PapaverSomniferum Posts: 2,670 Member
    I've had a big fat belly my whole life. I even managed to diet and exercise down to a bmi of 18 once----still had a huge fat belly.

    You can't spot reduce.

    There's always plastic surgery.
  • retirehappy
    retirehappy Posts: 3,519 Member
    Check what you are eating are you eating the simple carbs that can bloat you? White bread and other over processed wheat products. I am amazed at the difference in one month of cutting out wheat. I never went for sugary stuff, I like fruit and dark chocolate when I want a sweet treat. I lost 10 lbs in a month, which is amazing for my body. I still have a whys to go but I think this will work for me.

    YMMV but checking what you are eating might help.

    Also just about all the fitness gurus say crunches do not work. Ask on the Exercise board, I am sure there are lots of people over there that have overcome the belly fat.
  • WannabeStressFree
    WannabeStressFree Posts: 340 Member
    I started to do strength training, pilates might help as well, or overall circuit training.
  • krhn
    krhn Posts: 781 Member
    Doing abdominal related exercises won't necessarily help you cut down the belly fat but instead make it look even more bloated on the outside since you are packing on muscle in that region meaning more size to it, crucially it means you still need to lower your body fat percentage and hope that your body will target that regn of fat loss next. Good luck... I also in a same position as you, the damn belly is stubborn I tell ya!
  • rjmudlax13
    rjmudlax13 Posts: 900 Member
    1) You cannot spot reduce.

    2) You need to maintain a calorie deficit in order to lose the body fat. Persistence is key here. It may take a lot longer than you want it to, but you can eventually get there. Also, make sure you are logging your calories accurately. Read the "In place of roadmap" thread for more info on calories, etc.

    3) Lift weights in order to maintain your muscle while in a deficit. No, you will not get bulky, only sexy.

    ETA: Spelling fails
  • JenniferPlus2
    JenniferPlus2 Posts: 119 Member
    IMO you may be too hard on yourself. In your pictures you look awesome. Just maintain a healthy diet and make exercise, especially strength training a part of your routine and you will always look awesome and healthy and just how you are meant to look. :bigsmile:
  • DanaDark
    DanaDark Posts: 2,187 Member
    I would suggest an exercise routine 2X or 3X a week that incorporates strength training (lifting HEAVY weights) and HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training).

    Those two combined seem to have an overall good track record of fighting the bulge.