Belly Fat

Trying to lose fat is like trying to dry out a sponge, you can't dry a corner while the rest of the sponge is still weight. Can't spot reduce. Strength training will help increase metabolism, but you just have to keep losing fat overall to lose the stomach.

First things first, you look pretty lean already.... so congratulations! :glasses:

Since it's early winter and there's plenty of time before beach season, I suggest a bulking-cutting cycle. For the next 3 months, stop cutting calories and also increase your protein intake. Do lots of ab and leg exercises WITH EXTRA RESISTANCE (not just bodyweight). You can change your body composition (increase muscle, decrease fat) doing this. Increasing your leg mass will also make your stomach appear smaller. Aesthetic fitness is not about having the "perfect body" because we're all made just a little different. Instead, it's about creating illusions that complement your own body type. And for your body type (smallish waist, endo-mesomorph) having muscular legs and glutes is the right move.

Around early March, go back to a calorie deficit ("cutting"). Your increased muscle mass will do two things for you:
* Will make it easier to cut calories because you can actually eat more food and still be in a deficit. A pound of fat requires 2 calories a day, while a pound of muscle requires 6 calories. So if you have more muscle, you can eat more every day and not gain weight.
* Your abs will show through because they are now bigger. This gives the appearance of a flatter, toned, in-shape stomach. Don't worry, you won't look like a body builder unless you spend more than two hours a day in the gym and eat a crazy amount of food.

These are tried-and-true methods used by fitness models, swimsuit models, and bodybuilding gurus. But don't just take my word for it, ready about bulking and cutting.

First things first, you look pretty lean already.... so congratulations! :glasses:

Since it's early winter and there's plenty of time before beach season, I suggest a bulking-cutting cycle. For the next 3 months, stop cutting calories and also increase your protein intake. Do lots of ab and leg exercises WITH EXTRA RESISTANCE (not just bodyweight). You can change your body composition (increase muscle, decrease fat) doing this. Increasing your leg mass will also make your stomach appear smaller. Aesthetic fitness is not about having the "perfect body" because we're all made just a little different. Instead, it's about creating illusions that complement your own body type. And for your body type (smallish waist, endo-mesomorph) having muscular legs and glutes is the right move.

Around early March, go back to a calorie deficit ("cutting"). Your increased muscle mass will do two things for you:
* Will make it easier to cut calories because you can actually eat more food and still be in a deficit. A pound of fat requires 2 calories a day, while a pound of muscle requires 6 calories. So if you have more muscle, you can eat more every day and not gain weight.
* Your abs will show through because they are now bigger. This gives the appearance of a flatter, toned, in-shape stomach. Don't worry, you won't look like a body builder unless you spend more than two hours a day in the gym and eat a crazy amount of food.

These are tried-and-true methods used by fitness models, swimsuit models, and bodybuilding gurus. But don't just take my word for it, ready about bulking and cutting.

She joined today. I'm willing to bet that she doesn't have the fitness knowledge to begin to pull off what you suggested with the minimal information you supplied (she was asking for spot reduction afterall, that says a lot).

*Go to bodybuilding.com and pick out a free workout. I'd suggest one I like, but you need to find one you'll stick with.
*Continue to eat at a slight calorie deficit (set your goal on here to .5 or 1 pound per week loss).

Just because she just joined MFP doesn't mean she hasn't been roaming around on here and has no knowledge of weight management...Just sayin'...Don't judge the book by...