I am almost at my goal weight but belly is still fat

Waggoner83
Waggoner83 Posts: 112 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I am 7lbs away from my healthy goal weight and my belly still hang over my jeans when I sit down. I dont have this problem when I stand up. Will this go away and what is it that I need to do? I normally run 20 miles or more a week. I just started back going to the gym yesterday. I lost all weight from jogging and running in my community.

Replies

  • dirtydirtysouf
    dirtydirtysouf Posts: 26 Member
    depends on how much weight you have lost, it could be sagging skin. if this is the cause your skin will catch up and "shrink" down some depending on your body. if the running has stopped your weight loss try looking into weight lifting to help get some of that "fat" off and keep the muscle.
  • DirrtyH
    DirrtyH Posts: 664 Member
    Ooh, ooh, I know this one!
    You have to start lifting.
  • TomfromNY
    TomfromNY Posts: 100 Member
    Ooh, ooh, I know this one!
    You have to start lifting.
    this
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Pretty much everyone is going to have some belly hanging over when they are sitting or bending over...even super lean people.

    Also, what's your BF%...some arbitrary weight is pretty much irrelevant.
  • hearthemelody
    hearthemelody Posts: 1,025 Member
    Ooh, ooh, I know this one!
    You have to start lifting.
    this

    This
  • Waggoner83
    Waggoner83 Posts: 112 Member
    Lifting how much? Will sit ups help? My stomach feel like a jello wall but I feel hardening behind the fat. Is this a long process to go away? I am pretty consistant and dont give up on nothing.
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    Pretty much everyone is going to have some belly hanging over when they are sitting or bending over...even super lean people.

    Also, what's your BF%...some arbitrary weight is pretty much irrelevant.

    Echo on both comments.
  • CallMeCupcakeDammit
    CallMeCupcakeDammit Posts: 9,377 Member
    Look into New Rules of Lifting, Starting Strength, StrongLifts 5x5, or All Pro: A Beginner's Routine (on bb.com) as a starting point. Sit ups won't get rid of the fat on your belly, they'll just strengthen the muscles underneath.
  • Waggoner83
    Waggoner83 Posts: 112 Member
    I guess I should have added that I have a 1 year old and 11 year old, so my belly has been stretched out twice.
  • dirtydirtysouf
    dirtydirtysouf Posts: 26 Member
    Lifting how much? Will sit ups help? My stomach feel like a jello wall but I feel hardening behind the fat. Is this a long process to go away? I am pretty consistant and dont give up on nothing.

    sit ups will not just make the fat go away in that area. A good lifting plan like Starting Strength, Stronglift 5x5 or 5/3/1. or cleaning up your diet even more will help you get to the 8% BF and under area.
  • CallMeCupcakeDammit
    CallMeCupcakeDammit Posts: 9,377 Member
    I guess I should have added that I have a 1 year old and 11 year old, so my belly has been stretched out twice.

    If it's mostly skin, you'll have to let time do its thing. Moisturizing is supposed to help. It can take a couple of years to go back as much as it's going to (from what I've heard from others).
  • carrysa
    carrysa Posts: 119 Member
    its strength training such as lifting and honestly its mostly about your diet. you can work out as much as you want but if your diet is poor you won't get the stomach you want. Abs are made in the kitchen. I think strenth/cardio plus a very healthy diet wil get what you want to achieve in the most efficient time along with being the healthiest form to lose weight. Good luck to you.
  • Cheeky_and_Geeky
    Cheeky_and_Geeky Posts: 984 Member
    Look into New Rules of Lifting, Starting Strength, StrongLifts 5x5, or All Pro: A Beginner's Routine (on bb.com) as a starting point. Sit ups won't get rid of the fat on your belly, they'll just strengthen the muscles underneath.

    ^^^This. I have a 2 year old & ever since I started adding strength training 3X week, I've seen some great improvements in my tummy area. My skin is definitely stretched out. I've been overweight a good portion of my life so I've got skin hanging just about everywhere. Since you had a baby recently, it may take quite a while for that skin to start tightening up again. Mine has tightened very little & I'm planning on having another! Get to your goal weight, start strength training at least 3X week, then work from there. Great job on losing the baby weight!

    http://www.fitnessblender.com/v/full-length-workouts/?str=&time_min=&time_max=&cal_min=&cal_max=&type[]=3i&equipment[]=17
  • brittanysmith3110567
    brittanysmith3110567 Posts: 1
    If your at your goal weight, no longer focus on weight loss. Start focusing on body toning! :) Toning takes strong dedication to working out nearly every day and still eating healthy, fiber, oatmeal, veggies, whole wheat. No butter, sodas, excess cakes etc. Jogging/running is a great toner, for belly during workout try to flex (suck in) those abs. Also what works great is a workout ball, Like a giant medicine ball that weights allot less (2-3 lbs) use it to do crunches. Lay on back, put ball between feet, lift & grab ball with hands, extend hands above your head & tap ball to the floor, lift the ball back up & raise legs, grab ball again with feet and lower legs (holding ball) to floor, lift legs w ball up & grab again with hands...works your abs soo much better than with "crunches"..regular crunches are nearly pointless on benefits vs time & effort. Good Luck!
  • Waggoner83
    Waggoner83 Posts: 112 Member
    its strength training such as lifting and honestly its mostly about your diet. you can work out as much as you want but if your diet is poor you won't get the stomach you want. Abs are made in the kitchen. I think strenth/cardio plus a very healthy diet wil get what you want to achieve in the most efficient time along with being the healthiest form to lose weight. Good luck to you.
  • Waggoner83
    Waggoner83 Posts: 112 Member
    I have a very poor diet I guest because I eat what my family eats. I just do alot of portion control. I also tend to eat snacks a couple of days out of the week not heavy snacks, but light snacks without portion control.
  • carrysa
    carrysa Posts: 119 Member
    I have a very poor diet I guest because I eat what my family eats. I just do alot of portion control. I also tend to eat snacks a couple of days out of the week not heavy snacks, but light snacks without portion control.


    Well yes portioning will definitely help you. I know it's probably harder to eat a better diet if you're eating what the family does but its all up to you. I eat healthy 6 days a week and i also have snacks throughout the day which you need BUT they need to be healthy snacks and ones that will keep you more full as well. I eat bfast snack lunch snack then dinner.I take one day a week to eat what i want or one meal a week. that way I can kind of get my cravings out of the way. I work out 5 to 6 days a week just doing 30 day shred videos...however what works for me might not work for someone else you have to see what works for you. I do believe mixing in strenth training with your cardio will be very beneficial to achieving more of what you want. Try buying healthier snacks if you know you're going to snack!...You can do whatever you want to. It's all in the mind. Your body can go through limits you couldn't even imagine! Good luck
  • Waggoner83
    Waggoner83 Posts: 112 Member
    I have a very poor diet I guest because I eat what my family eats. I just do alot of portion control. I also tend to eat snacks a couple of days out of the week not heavy snacks, but light snacks without portion control.


    Well yes portioning will definitely help you. I know it's probably harder to eat a better diet if you're eating what the family does but its all up to you. I eat healthy 6 days a week and i also have snacks throughout the day which you need BUT they need to be healthy snacks and ones that will keep you more full as well. I eat bfast snack lunch snack then dinner.I take one day a week to eat what i want or one meal a week. that way I can kind of get my cravings out of the way. I work out 5 to 6 days a week just doing 30 day shred videos...however what works for me might not work for someone else you have to see what works for you. I do believe mixing in strenth training with your cardio will be very beneficial to achieving more of what you want. Try buying healthier snacks if you know you're going to snack!...You can do whatever you want to. It's all in the mind. Your body can go through limits you couldn't even imagine! Good luck

Categories