flat belly without lifting. possible?

I want a flat belly. Period. I don't want a six pack. I am already lean all over except my gut. It wiggles and jiggles and is the only part of my body that the fat is stuck on. I've read several posts of lifting and all the benefits, but honestly is that what will give me what I want? I've tried lifting for about 1-2 months and find I don't enjoy it and have stopped. Any advice?
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Replies

  • fivethreeone
    fivethreeone Posts: 8,196 Member
    You can get a flat belly without lifting. It all comes down to body fat percentage. As you lose body fat , it will go away.

    I and many others have gotten a flat stomach from lifting paired with a decrease in body fat, so that is one way to go about it. What kind of lifting were you doing?
  • Apocalypz
    Apocalypz Posts: 155 Member
    Lifting builds muscle. Muscle helps "keep your fat where it should be". Let's make this more simple -- exercise is good for you. Once you get in the swing of things, you'll find its' benefits. Eating healthily and exercise will help you accomplish your goals.

    So the question stands: "How important are your goals?"
  • Dol10
    Dol10 Posts: 48 Member
    It's either your body fat percentage or excess skin if you're already at a low percentage.

    Lifting won't exactly help.. maybe lower your bf%, but it takes a caloric deficit to do that.
  • No_Finish_Line
    No_Finish_Line Posts: 3,661 Member
    it sounds like you want to lose fat but not build and muscle (tone)

    yes, not lifting weights can help with lol

    as long as your still eating at a defecit.

    you could also incorperate lifts that dont utilize the core as much as others, but you said you don't like it so...
  • CitizenXVIII
    CitizenXVIII Posts: 117 Member
    Belly must be your body's preferred place to store energy. Just gonna have to drop your total body fat %, lifting will help, but a calorie deficit is all that's required.
  • ValGogo
    ValGogo Posts: 2,168 Member
    I want a flat belly. Period. I don't want a six pack. I am already lean all over except my gut. It wiggles and jiggles and is the only part of my body that the fat is stuck on. I've read several posts of lifting and all the benefits, but honestly is that what will give me what I want? I've tried lifting for about 1-2 months and find I don't enjoy it and have stopped. Any advice?

    you have to....awww forget it. I have to punch out and go home.
  • Galatea_Stone
    Galatea_Stone Posts: 2,037 Member
    Yeah.. listen to the string bean up there... *rollseyes*

    Did you just use an ad hominem to discredit otherwise sound advice?

    How does this make what you say trustworthy?

    OP, it is about body fat percent. Eat at a deficit and try to do some strength training to retain muscle. Can you get abs without it? Sure. There are runners out there with abs. There are swimmers out there with abs. But lifting is the best way to preserve lean mass and lose fat while eating at a deficit. Also, protein. Make sure you're getting adequate protein.
  • fivethreeone
    fivethreeone Posts: 8,196 Member
    Yeah.. listen to the string bean up there... *rollseyes*

    I'd appreciate it if you didn't talk about me like I'm not in the room.
  • _John_
    _John_ Posts: 8,646 Member
    Yeah.. listen to the string bean up there... *rollseyes*

    I've wanted to do this to SO many people here, particularly in the diet and nutrition boards, but it is still a douche move...
  • da_bears1008
    da_bears1008 Posts: 354
    Yeah.. listen to the string bean up there... *rollseyes*

    hF3252042
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    I want a flat belly. Period. I don't want a six pack. I am already lean all over except my gut. It wiggles and jiggles and is the only part of my body that the fat is stuck on. I've read several posts of lifting and all the benefits, but honestly is that what will give me what I want? I've tried lifting for about 1-2 months and find I don't enjoy it and have stopped. Any advice?

    you have to....awww forget it. I have to punch out and go home.

    Is that a euphemism? Because sometimes I like to "punch out" before I head home too. Glad I'm not the only one
  • MireyGal76
    MireyGal76 Posts: 7,334 Member
    Eat at a deficit and do some form of exercise. You don't have to lift weights, but I do recommend some core exercises. Planks and leg raises work wonder for the core and are also great for your back.

    Ensure you are strengthening your muscles so that you are not losing muscle tone.
    I have a six pack because I have low body fat and have built those muscles through exercise.

    If I increased my body fat percentage, the six pack wouldn't be so obvious.

    Do you need to lift to get a flat belly? No. I didn't.
    Can you lift and not get a six pack? Yes, there are many women here who are lifters who don't have visible abs.

    Like everyone else has said... it's all depending on your goals.


    ETA to say... but hey... based on Dol10's response above, maybe you shouldn't listen to my advice because I have a visible six pack and you don't want one of those, ergo my advice is irrelevant. :laugh:
  • You can get a flat belly without lifting. It all comes down to body fat percentage. As you lose body fat , it will go away.

    I and many others have gotten a flat stomach from lifting paired with a decrease in body fat, so that is one way to go about it. What kind of lifting were you doing?

    I believe they are called compound moves. Squats with 65 pounds ( started with 15 pounds) deadlifts 80 also started with 15 and bench press which is only 25 :blushing:
  • albayin
    albayin Posts: 2,524 Member
    I am pear shape and always have flat stomach, but sort of soft until I started lifting heavy. My stomach starts getting stronger and firmer, like a rock now. :)
  • albayin
    albayin Posts: 2,524 Member
    and another siliver lining I just noticed today is with hard rock stomach, I have no problem walking in high heels...because my balance is improved too~
  • FitMe758
    FitMe758 Posts: 177 Member
    Yeah.. listen to the string bean up there... *rollseyes*

    No need to call names, Walter.
  • FitMe758
    FitMe758 Posts: 177 Member
    Lifting builds muscle. Muscle helps "keep your fat where it should be". Let's make this more simple -- exercise is good for you. Once you get in the swing of things, you'll find its' benefits. Eating healthily and exercise will help you accomplish your goals.

    So the question stands: "How important are your goals?"

    "How important are your goals" is totally irrelevant.

    Lifting is NOT crucial to a flat belly. Just look at the physiques of Olympic power lifters and the competitors of Iron Man competitions. They Lift. Heavy. A Lot. and the great majority do not have a flat belly.

    A flat belly happens when the body fat percentage is low enough.
    Yes, weight lifting can help, but it is not a *crucial* part of cutting body fat.
    To lose fat you must be at a caloric deficit. Lifting while in a deficit helps retain lean muscle mass, but it does not build flat abs.
  • TheStephil
    TheStephil Posts: 858 Member
    Yeah.. listen to the string bean up there... *rollseyes*

    Yes, listen to someone who has a similar body type to what you desire. People on the boards that are "string beans", skinny, fit, etc. are full of useful knowledge because most of the time they have been there and done that and know what they are talking about. This isn't always the case but you shouldn't be snarky to someone over their body type.
  • Ty everyone. It sucks to be an "apple" cause all the fat is on my belly.
  • albayin
    albayin Posts: 2,524 Member
    Ty everyone. It sucks to be an "apple" cause all the fat is on my belly.

    I notice that many personal trainers have straight body type...assume they have tendency to be apple? you can do it. just keep working on it..
  • sunshine1082
    sunshine1082 Posts: 85 Member
    Yeah.. listen to the string bean up there... *rollseyes*

    A lot of people here complain about rude and unnecessary comments, but I think this is the first time I have ever actually seen a rude and unnecessary comment. Seriously, there was no need for that.
  • Ty everyone. It sucks to be an "apple" cause all the fat is on my belly.

    I notice that many personal trainers have straight body type...assume they have tendency to be apple? you can do it. just keep working on it..

    Can I get there without lifting?
  • albayin
    albayin Posts: 2,524 Member
    Ty everyone. It sucks to be an "apple" cause all the fat is on my belly.

    I notice that many personal trainers have straight body type...assume they have tendency to be apple? you can do it. just keep working on it..

    Can I get there without lifting?

    I am no expert but have seen my "apple“ friends slimmed down by running but their belly is also the last place to go...
  • Joanne_Moniz
    Joanne_Moniz Posts: 347 Member
    I want a flat belly. Period. I don't want a six pack. I am already lean all over except my gut. It wiggles and jiggles and is the only part of my body that the fat is stuck on. I've read several posts of lifting and all the benefits, but honestly is that what will give me what I want? I've tried lifting for about 1-2 months and find I don't enjoy it and have stopped. Any advice?

    Fat in the abdominal area is often a sign of too much sugar in the diet. Check and see how many grams of sugar you are consuming. It is hidden all over the place.

    Joanne Moniz
    The Skinny on Obesity
  • Sunbrooke
    Sunbrooke Posts: 632 Member
    If you haven't done so already, make sure that your posture is correct. Your posture affects how you appear, but also how your muscle develops, since it determines and how you use your body.
  • fivethreeone
    fivethreeone Posts: 8,196 Member
    I want a flat belly. Period. I don't want a six pack. I am already lean all over except my gut. It wiggles and jiggles and is the only part of my body that the fat is stuck on. I've read several posts of lifting and all the benefits, but honestly is that what will give me what I want? I've tried lifting for about 1-2 months and find I don't enjoy it and have stopped. Any advice?

    Fat in the abdominal area is often a sign of too much sugar in the diet. Check and see how many grams of sugar you are consuming. It is hidden all over the place.

    Joanne Moniz
    The Skinny on Obesity

    No.
  • HerkMeOff
    HerkMeOff Posts: 1,002 Member
    I want a flat belly. Period. I don't want a six pack. I am already lean all over except my gut. It wiggles and jiggles and is the only part of my body that the fat is stuck on. I've read several posts of lifting and all the benefits, but honestly is that what will give me what I want? I've tried lifting for about 1-2 months and find I don't enjoy it and have stopped. Any advice?

    Fat in the abdominal area is often a sign of too much sugar in the diet. Check and see how many grams of sugar you are consuming. It is hidden all over the place.

    Joanne Moniz
    The Skinny on Obesity

    Oh you...
  • ihateroses
    ihateroses Posts: 893 Member
    What don't you like about weight lifting? Just curious.

    A flat belly can be made in the kitchen by cleaning up your diet.
  • zoeysasha37
    zoeysasha37 Posts: 7,088 Member
    Hey, I had this problem and tried so many things. Different things work for different people and I was lucky enough to find one that worked for me. I lost 18 pounds in one month without much exercise and it's been a life changer. I'm a little embarrassed to post my before and after photos here but if anyone actually cares to hear what I've been doing then I'd be happy to help in any way. Just shoot me an email at evan.harland.us[at]gmail.com and I'll show you my before and after photos, and tell you about how things are going for me with the stuff I've tried. I wish someone would have helped me out when I was struggling to find a solution so if I can help you then it would make my day.

    Evan9h, it's against board rules to post your email address, we all know your trying to sell weight loss products, which is not allowed on mfp.
  • macchiatto
    macchiatto Posts: 2,890 Member
    Ty everyone. It sucks to be an "apple" cause all the fat is on my belly.

    I hear you. That's how I am, too. Having gotten below my original goal weight, I am now a string bean with a jiggly belly. :p