Stubborn belly flab

cclala
cclala Posts: 190 Member
edited September 23 in Health and Weight Loss
I have been training like a mad woman and eating very well for about 2 months now. I've lost about eight pounds and am right around where I'd like to be, weight-wise. Maybe 5 more to go. However, my stomach is still squishy mcjiggleton, despite all the huge improvement I see elsewhere.

What gives? I avoid refined carbs, and sugar. (Once a week I might indulge.) I do yoga constantly, generally holding the plank for even longer than the instructor even requests. I do sit ups, arms, and cardio all the time. Do I need to lose more weight to see an improvement here? Cut out my one measly treat meal a week? Wait until the 6 month mark to see the belly disappear? The thing is I don't want to lose too much more weight, at least not from the other areas--just from the belly!

I'm confused because it seems first one needs to lose the flab, then tone underneath. All the situps in the world won't do anything if there's a layer of fat, right? But I don't want the rest of my body to get too much thinner, so what do I do?

Replies

  • rachel5576
    rachel5576 Posts: 429 Member
    bump, i have the same issue and concerns anxious for answers.
  • gecho
    gecho Posts: 426 Member
    I'll bump this 2!:happy: im in the same boat
  • christinemorgester
    christinemorgester Posts: 15
    I'm at about the exact same place as you! I'm starting to do much more core work, hoping that'll helps as well as going to go back to jazzercise and zumba instead of just my regular treadmill, stairs and eliptical. There's a lot of full body toning that goes on in those classes. My trainer did comment that sugar and salt are something to really watch when we're at this stage. Maybe someone has some tips for both of us!
  • clairebeej
    clairebeej Posts: 16
    Hula Hoop! :) Get that jiggle trimmed down in no time! I'm actually serious. Pilates will help too - yes, the 6-pack abs don't really show if there's flab on top but if you're doing things that target that area, it will definitely help. Lengthening your torso with pilates and yoga will definitely make a difference to tightening that problem area.

    Trampolining is really good at targetting the tummy too.
  • ctchicky
    ctchicky Posts: 13
    Hi! I'm not a doctor, but I have the same flab problem. I've been told that if you continue the ab exercises (crunches, etc) that it will strengthen the ab muscles and make them tighter, eventually giving you a firmer stomach. I don't think it will disappear 100% but it's worth a try. Good luck!
  • thomasmarnold
    thomasmarnold Posts: 64
    I have gotten to within 8 pounds of my goal weight and all I have left as far as fat is my little belly jiggle. My trainer tells me to be patient, she says the belly is the last thing to go. But even though I have lost many many inches off of my belly (and other places) , I still have that little bit of wiggle that I can't seem to lose. I do crunches, I do sit ups, I do planks, I do it all. I eat right, I stay under my cals, I burn an assinine amount of calories 3 days a week but the belly still haunts me. I would do anything to lose that last 4 inches or so of belly fat..... I am sorry, I wish I had an answer for you.

    Tom
  • NatalieBrooke88
    NatalieBrooke88 Posts: 240 Member
    Unfortunately, it sounds like you are like myself and was "blessed" with an apple shape body- causing you to naturally store extra fat in your abdominal region. All that can get rid of this fat, is, as you know- diet and exercise. Stay devoted and you will get there. Amp up your cardio a few days of the week. I highly recommend HIIT training. I tell all my clients to do it- Google it or contact me for more info.

    Heres to apples everywhere..
  • SarahR1984
    SarahR1984 Posts: 212
    I don't really have any tips, I'm just starting. My belly is my trouble spot as well. I think some of it is from having two kids though...I'm not sure how to fix it either!
  • NatalieBrooke88
    NatalieBrooke88 Posts: 240 Member
    I guess to dually make my point- you cannot tighten up flab. You can only tighten up the abs underneath, but to make the abs show you have to diet and maintain a strict cardio regimen.
  • runpiggyrun
    runpiggyrun Posts: 30
    Oh dear...My trainer explained that your belly with never be 100% flat, especially after children or weightloss. I have had four children and yo yo'd for years and have 3-4 stone excess, so I have a belly problem. I know I can lose it but I know I will have hanging skin and it will never be as taught as it used to be pre-kids. Doing all the crunches in the world wont change that. If anyone comes up with an answer that will make a belly flat I will be first in line. Good luck :)
  • Hillary1234
    Hillary1234 Posts: 17
    hi!! It took me forever to tone and lose the pooch that ive had ever since high school but it did eventually happen. People have their trouble spots that dont ever seem to go away but you'll get there just keep doing what your doing because it will come off...no surgery required. Good luck!



    <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/weight-loss-ticker"><img border="0" src="http://tickers.myfitnesspal.com/ticker/show/322/2654/3222654.png&quot; /></a><p style="text-align:center;width:420px;"><small>Created by MyFitnessPal - <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com">Nutrition Facts</a> For Foods</small></p>
  • rachmaree
    rachmaree Posts: 782 Member
    From what I have read on this topic (and I have read a lot!) apart from the obvious- being careful about sugars, etc, for the cardio most of the info recommends High Intensity Interval Training. (HIIT), where you do short bursts of high intensity followed by a recovery period.
    At the moment I am trying to up my cardio to a point where I feel comfortable about starting HIIT. My husband and I plan to start after the school break and our holiday to Australia. We have ordered interval timers and will pick them up while we are there.
    Here is an 8 week plan you can check out:

    http://www.losebellyfatworkout.com/category/week1

    Good luck!
  • Hillary1234
    Hillary1234 Posts: 17
    3222654.png
    Created by MyFitnessPal.com - Free Weight Loss Tools
  • cclala
    cclala Posts: 190 Member
    Thanks everyone, I'll keep at it. It's a bit disheartening but this is about more than how we look....my new lifestyle is about my insides more than anything, so in moments like this perhaps it's best to focus on that!
  • Sherri71
    Sherri71 Posts: 208 Member
    Daily cardio and eating healthy. Situps and core exercises will develop the muscles and make your abs stronger, but as another member said, you have to get rid of the fat on top of the muscle for the abs to show. This will take some time, but keep at it and it WILL eventually happen - eat healthy and strive for 5-6 one hour sessions of cardio every day.
  • amysj303
    amysj303 Posts: 5,086 Member
    I was just going to start a thread for those at or near goal weight who are working on toning the mid-section, it is a popular problem. I have no children, and I weigh 110 lbs, but I want to see abs!
    I just started intervals but I know I can't out-train my bad diet-sugars, alchohol and carbs are my weakness, even when I eat 1200 cals/day.
    I look forward to hearing others' tips and tricks for losing belly fat, but I know there really aren't any tips and tricks!
  • JoanHolly
    JoanHolly Posts: 46 Member
    I had a baby last may. And have lost 60 lbs since then. About 10 lbs ago I was happy with my weight except I still had a bit of a belly. I figured that this is just my body now that i have had a baby a small price to pay for my beautiful son. I have lost about 10 more lbs since then and suddenly my belly is almost completely gone. It seems for me it is just the last fat to go.... So it is possible to get rid of it if you keep working. I dont think it is possible to spot reduce fat... Just keep watching your diet and exercise and it will come off. Good luck!
  • Teemo
    Teemo Posts: 338
    I have been training like a mad woman and eating very well for about 2 months now. I've lost about eight pounds and am right around where I'd like to be, weight-wise. Maybe 5 more to go. However, my stomach is still squishy mcjiggleton, despite all the huge improvement I see elsewhere. [paragraph cut] I'm confused because it seems first one needs to lose the flab, then tone underneath. All the situps in the world won't do anything if there's a layer of fat, right? But I don't want the rest of my body to get too much thinner, so what do I do?

    There really isn't a good solution, unfortunately, since from a natural perspective it makes no sense to NOT have fat in the belly. Since the fat around your midsection is almost always the last to go, the only way to lose it is to continue losing fat from all over.
    All the situps in the world will contribute to a strong core and all the benefits that brings, including better posture. But you're right; the situps won't do very much to get rid of the stubborn belly flab.
    I have gotten to within 8 pounds of my goal weight and all I have left as far as fat is my little belly jiggle. My trainer tells me to be patient, she says the belly is the last thing to go. But even though I have lost many many inches off of my belly (and other places) , I still have that little bit of wiggle that I can't seem to lose. I do crunches, I do sit ups, I do planks, I do it all. I eat right, I stay under my cals, I burn an assinine amount of calories 3 days a week but the belly still haunts me. I would do anything to lose that last 4 inches or so of belly fat..... I am sorry, I wish I had an answer for you.

    Tom

    Stick at it! Have you or your trainer taken your bodyfat measurement yet? Once you get to around 11-14% overall (for guys) most of the wiggle is gone... though I almost always have love handles. :laugh:
  • efahey
    efahey Posts: 33 Member
    i agree! i hula hoop regularly and you can see results FAST! when i was getting started i ordered a hoop and instructional DVD from http://www.hoopgirl.com/ but you can always make your own hoop http://www.jasonunbound.com/hoops.html and then look up tutorials on youtube! youtube user FireSandra has lots of really good ones <3 happy hooping!!

    xo erin
  • darrenw74
    darrenw74 Posts: 86 Member
    Daily cardio and eating healthy. Situps and core exercises will develop the muscles and make your abs stronger, but as another member said, you have to get rid of the fat on top of the muscle for the abs to show. This will take some time, but keep at it and it WILL eventually happen - eat healthy and strive for 5-6 one hour sessions of cardio every day.

    5-6 a day? That's some serious cardio :noway:
  • runpiggyrun
    runpiggyrun Posts: 30
    Daily cardio and eating healthy. Situps and core exercises will develop the muscles and make your abs stronger, but as another member said, you have to get rid of the fat on top of the muscle for the abs to show. This will take some time, but keep at it and it WILL eventually happen - eat healthy and strive for 5-6 one hour sessions of cardio every day.

    5-6 a day? That's some serious cardio :noway:

    That is some cardio. Somehow I doubt most normal people wont have 5-6 hours a day, due to work and kids. I run 3-4 times a week and swim 1 maybe twice if I am lucky but I work long hospital shifts and have 4 children. But Im sure if I had 5-6 hours to train a day I would be very toned, skinny and have a flat belly ;-/
  • brit49
    brit49 Posts: 461 Member
    Hula Hoop! :) Get that jiggle trimmed down in no time! I'm actually serious. Pilates will help too - yes, the 6-pack abs don't really show if there's flab on top but if you're doing things that target that area, it will definitely help. Lengthening your torso with pilates and yoga will definitely make a difference to tightening that problem area.

    Trampolining is really good at targetting the tummy too.










    I do hula hoops Im not that good, but Im going to stick with it, the tummy has to go
  • dawnmichelea
    dawnmichelea Posts: 112 Member
    Have any of you read up on the flat belly diet? I don't follow ANY "diets", (because I just do all things in moderation and balance), but I've read many diet plans and I'll borrow bits and pieces that make sense to me. Flat Belly's MUFA addition to every meal makes sense to me, so I have simply made sure that I have a healthy fat included every time I eat (again, its about balance and moderation), and its worked wonderfully! My stomach is flat as a pancake! :flowerforyou:
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