Losing Belly Fat with a bad back...

One other thing my trainer recommended one time - just to mix things up a bit - is to do the elliptical with a backward motion. I don't mean turn around on the machine, I just mean move your legs in the opposite direction. It takes a good amount of the pressure off your toes and works your muscles a bit differently. I find it to be much more challenging, too. I don't typically do it for long periods at a time, but it's nice to mix it up.

It's not just on the elliptical that my toes and feet go numb. If I stand too long or walk it will as well. I will try wearing open shoes though, anything that might work is worth trying! I've given up on the elliptical because of the numbness.

I also tried wearing a wrap on my belly to help me lose more water weight, and when I do that the sweat pours off of my midsection. Without it my skin barely even gets damp.

Don't use those wraps, they are pointless and useless. Losing water weight has no purpose, you'll gain it back the second you take a drink of water. You want to lose fat, not water.

I haven't read through all the other posts so I may repeat something. Sorry in advance if I do. I also have spinal stenosis, scolosis, two herniated disks, and a complete collapse of part of my spine. He won't even discuss surgical options with me even though I have so much difficulty moving, bending down, sleeping, etc. If that weren't enough, I have osteoarthritis in my hips bilaterally that will require quarterly steriod injections. Apparently, my doctor thinks I'm too young for any surgery at this pint. Anyway, I spin for cardio. Have you ever tried a spinning class? If you learn to set your bike up correctly, the bike is great because your spine stays straight and your hips are level. I used to love the elliptical but can't do it anymore. The elliptical causes an unevenness in your spine with the up and down motion and I always paid dearly the next day. It's not worth it. Listen to your body because you want to avoid further injury.

With a bad back, one of the main things you have to do is have a strong core. You need gentle core exercises. I would recommend going to see the PT associated with your orthopedic spine surgeon and get educated on the best types of exercises for you. For example, with my back issues, I can't do any spinal twisting, but front and side planks are great for me. The dead bug is also great! You'lll have to google it as I don't know if I can describe it. I know it would be good for you as well. The key is making sure your low spine never lefts up off the floor.

Lastly, I would recommend the pool. Sometimes to ease the pressure on my low back, I will place a pull bouy between my inner thighs. Swimming is excellent cardio as well.

Have you had any epidural spine injections? They relieve the inflammation and take pressure off the nerve, which may help with your numbness.

What I do know is that movement is key so keep it up as much as possible even if you have to take short walks several times a day.

I know how hard it is to be compromised when you want to be active. Express gratitude and give thanks for all that you can do because it could be worse. I have to remind myself of that everyday.

Are your meds making you retain water ? Or not sweat ? I was on topomax and had all that as well as the numb feet. Try 5mins on elliptical & 5mins lifting some weights . It helped me ! Good luck to you !

I also recommend swimming. It does wonders for strengthening your core.

Also, you might want to have your hormones and/or thyroid checked. Sometimes when your levels are off, you retain more water than normal and can cause additional swelling in the abdomen and in your joints. Magnesium/ calcium supplements can help with that as well as epsom salt baths.

I have the same back issue, only I had a spine fusion to correct it. My doctor always told me walking is excellent, and I also have an elliptical and experienced the same numbness at times. My suggestion to you would be do the same amount of time, but break it up throughout the day Ex: 20mins morning 20mins later in the day or however you'd like as long as it's not more then 15-20 mins all at once.

Don't really have any great advice just keep doing what you are doing. If you are losing weight than eventually your belly will start to go away. If you are like me, I carry my extra weight in my belly and looked 6 months pregnant when I started working out. It has taken a year of consistent weight loss and exercise / monitoring my calories to really start to notice my belly going away. I literally had to burn all the fat off all the other parts of my body first and now the belly fat is FINALLY starting to disappear. It is a slow process but I just kept telling myself it has to come off there eventually and now it is...slowly bur surely!! Hang in there and keep your eye on your goal, don't get discouraged : )