Belly Fat...please help me

mama_mia3
mama_mia3 Posts: 66
edited September 24 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm going to try and describe myself the best I can to give you some what of a grotesque image of my belly fat. I have a massive fatty over hang...not your typical muffin top, but maybe a muffin top that has exploded and drooped over like that flubber snot looking stuff my kids get at the toy store. If I wanted to, I could hide things under the flab that just hangs there...after showering, I have to lift it up to dry. gross, I know...which is why I stop here and won't go into further detail about summer months and sweat.

How the hell to I get rid of it. The crunches I do target my upper abs and obliques, but I dont know what to do to target the lower abdominals, which is where all the flab is hangin out with the forces of gravity. Its a big effin party down there between those two. This is my BIGGEST problem area. Literally. I can eat all the best foods possible until I die, but I fear I will ALWAYS have this flabby, gross, overhang of a stomach. If I were brave I would show you pictures, but I'm not. I don't want to show those until I have an after picture of a flatter, less gross stomach...I dont necessarily want a six pack, just something I dont have to lift up anymore when I get out of the shower! anybody else know what I'm talking about?? I need help. I'll do anything anyone can suggest to start working on it.
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Replies

  • melissatacker
    melissatacker Posts: 91 Member
    I also would like to know how to get rid of lower belly fat! The only idea I have been able to come up with is a tummy tuck-which is the last resort for me as with any surgery is for me! But if it doesn't come off with diet and exercise, it looks to be my only option :)
  • gunnarpalm
    gunnarpalm Posts: 59 Member
    Hi, The bad news is the belly fat is the last thing for many to go. the best advice I can say is slow and steady, don't get frustrated it will go away. I have fought that my whole life and after months of continual exercise and eating right, not just quick dieting that won't work, I am getting there., I lost 25 pounds and over 4 inches from my waist.

    Do you have an exercise routine that you do on a 5 to 6 day a week basis? Don't just target the belly fat, work your whole body. Cardio workouts are great for losing weight. Also watch what you eat, balance your protein, fat and carbs. And make sure you are getting the right nutrition, potassium, iron and all the rest.

    You can do it, using MFP definitely helps. Good luck, drop my an email if you have any specific questions about anything i just said..
  • CuteMommy88
    CuteMommy88 Posts: 538 Member
    Ok first of all you need to focus on losing the excess weight, that will make it smaller once it starts to get smaller you can start trying to tone it. I have the Jillian Michaels 6 week 6 pack dvd and i have only been doing in a couple of days and i can already see a difference!! Good luck with everything!!
  • 194Days
    194Days Posts: 16
    this is probably not what you want to hear, but you don't get to decide where you lose the weight - your body does. :smile: just keep on track and overtime you will get smaller and your body will have no choice but to use the energy stored in your belly

    my belly tends to be the first to go, it's my legs that are at a standstill... just remember, it's no reason to stop being healthy! :drinker:
  • RaeannePemberton
    RaeannePemberton Posts: 382 Member
    cardio, core conditioning, and reducing body fat percentage.... there is no magic cure. i'm with you and i refuse surgery! after losing 100+ lbs... it will take a long time but i'm in it for the long haul!
  • introvert
    introvert Posts: 28 Member
    There isn't an exercise, miracle supplement or any one thing in particular that will fix this. It takes patience, consistency and work. Crunches are a major starting point. Cardio and nutrition make up the bulk of the rest. Genetics have a lot to do with body composition.. In the end, an over all lower body fat percentage is what will get you want you want.

    The good news is.. If that body area tends to be the first to store fat.. It'll also be the first to lose it as well. Remember to persevere and good luck!
  • RTricia
    RTricia Posts: 720
    http://jorgecruise.com/

    Jorge Cruise - I'm trying to implement more fiber and more abdominal exercises ... he says at least eight minutes a day.
  • RTricia
    RTricia Posts: 720
    http://jorgecruise.com/

    Jorge Cruise - I'm trying to implement more fiber and more abdominal exercises ... he says at least eight minutes a day.
  • 5grn9
    5grn9 Posts: 36
    That is my problem as well, my body seems so "different" My legs, arms, face-all little but then I have this large mid-section. I have no waist at all (never really have) I guess that is just my body shape, but much worse since having kids!!!! I just can't seem to loose weight in the midsection. I work out at least 5-6days a week, eat healthy but it won't budge! So I am curious at the posts that may follow here!!
  • BrattyLori
    BrattyLori Posts: 101 Member
    Oh LORDY - I hear you on the belly fat problem! If I wear a big coat, I can pass for "Not Too Fat" BUT - I have this huge blooby belly and people ask me ALLLLL THE TIME when my baby is due. I'm so used to it that it doesnt even hurt my feelings anymore! I just say, "Oh - Im not preg, I've jsut lot a bunch of weight and my fat stomach is the last to go. Dont be embarassed."

    So, all my people tell me the same thing that all these good people are saying: diet (bye bye sugar, especially), exercise and patience. Altho, on Heavy, all those girls are having their fat cut off and calling it "removing excess skin" rather than a tummy tuck. AND they're having it done while they still weigh over 200. Which seems like its too soon but what do I know? I look pregnant and they dont!

    Good luck! I'm sure you're a fabulous babe!
    BrattyLori
  • yalisa0424
    yalisa0424 Posts: 173 Member
    Honestly, cardio is the way to go. However, if what you have hanign is loose skin, unfortunately, there is no way to get rid of it except through surgery.
  • hroush
    hroush Posts: 2,073 Member
    Hate to tell you but your abs are not your big fat burning muscle groups, you need to work your legs (especially) and arms. In general, you need to work and strengthen your entire body (more muscles you work the more muscles you have burning fat). Cardio is a great fat burner and can take you most of the way, but only with strength training can you finish (but that's further down the road). Think of it this way, your abs can only get so flat with training, the fat above the muscles will still be there (and slouching). You have to go through the arduous task of burning off the fat so you can see those abs that you've been working on.

    If you need reassurance, take before pics if you haven't already. Then lose 10 - 20 pounds and take another pic. I believe you'll be pleasantly surprised.
  • BrattyLori
    BrattyLori Posts: 101 Member
    Oh yeah - one more thing, Mama Mia and everyone else: Do NOT do anything that makes you feel humiliated. Posting photos of your fat belly will make you feel bad about yourself. Doing stuff like that is a thing of the past. From now on, you're going to respect yourself and treat yourself like a dear friend that you protect and wont tolerate ANYone talking crap about (especially yourself!) You wouldnt EVER say stuff like that to ME, "Your disgusting stomach looks like play bloop from the toy store - its disgusting." Right? And you don't even KNOW me. So - move away from being mean to my new friend Moma Mia!

    Got it? <3
  • antisocialista
    antisocialista Posts: 17
    I'm going through the same thing. I lost 22 lbs in the last 6 weeks, all of which came off pretty uniformly, and a lot of the inches lost were around my ribcage. I'm not complaining about 22 lbs... but HELLO, what about my abdomen? Not much going on there.

    I have 40 lbs to go, and honestly I wonder if I'm still going to need a tummy tuck at the end, no matter how much weight I lose. Crunches can only correct so much, since toning muscle doesn't really affect stubborn fat and loose skin.

    I guess it's a decision you have to make when you've done all you can do and you're at your ideal weight.
  • Kate_UK
    Kate_UK Posts: 1,299 Member
    Is it fat or mianly skin? All the advice thats posted above is good and will help to reduce that fat under the skin, but if its stretched out skin the only way to get rid of it all is a tummy tuck. I don't want to be the bringer of bad news, but my stomach is the same. I put on 4.5 stone (63lbs) when pregnant and my stomach now has more stretch marks than normal skin - honestly thats not an exageration. I've lost most of the fat under it now , and it does look much better than it once did, and when I tuck it under my clothes its not too noticable. But I'm still left and I'm left with horrible stretch marks and a pouch of skin that will never go without surgery, and thats just not an option.
  • cherrieruns
    cherrieruns Posts: 342 Member
    like many others have said already. The way to a firmer/flatter belly is healthy eating, cardio, strength training and ab work. The myth that we can spot tone is just that a myth. Keep working on losing the bodyfat and the belly fat will go with it. It takes awhile and because all want things yesterday it can be frustating but hang in there.
  • melissatacker
    melissatacker Posts: 91 Member
    I am with most people, I hate the thought of having to get a surgery, but as someone mentioned about having surgery when still needing to lose a lot of weight-sometimes a tummy tuck will actually boost one's self confidence and give them an extra push to keep losing weight. Also, having a tummy tuck might rid them of enough weight to make them feel better physically as well and help get them moving more. Everyone is different, and this is just my two cents :happy:
  • 33nessy
    33nessy Posts: 104
    just keep losing and everything will shrink....my last thing to go too as i have had 4 children in quick succession and my gut hasnt had time to recoperate. it is coming down though as the rest of me slowly shrinks too. dont go for a quick fix.....slow and staedy wins the race....easier for your body too rather than a fast dramatic weight loss
  • Mrs_McFadden
    Mrs_McFadden Posts: 1,139
    I'm really shocked that no one has mentioned the possibility that your abdominal muscles may be separated!
    Idk- I'm not a doctor but I have recently been pregnant so I have read about this a bit- and you may want to get a doctor to look at your abdomen and make sure that you're not just having a cosmetic issue.
    I say this b/c if your abdomen is separated- there are some exercises you shouldn't do or you will further damage your muscles.
  • Mads1997
    Mads1997 Posts: 1,494 Member
    mama_mia3 can I ask how much weight in total you have lost.

    This is my biggest fear about losing the weight.
  • mama_mia3
    mama_mia3 Posts: 66
    Honestly, cardio is the way to go. However, if what you have hanign is loose skin, unfortunately, there is no way to get rid of it except through surgery.


    NO. I would be mildly happy with loose skin. and then I'd just go buy alot of painters tape. (lol). Seriously thought, it's 100% lard with skin, stretch marks and 3 c-section scars.

    I should probably add that I am in this for the long haul. There's no quick fix to my body...it took 10 years to pack it on so it's not going away easily. I have a goal set to be down 75 lbs by Jan. 27, 2012...a year from when I started here on MFP. Then once that happens I'm giving myself another year to tone up and lose another 30 - 40 to be close to where I once was 15 years ago - (my profile pic reminds me that that version of myself is still in there somewhere under all this).

    Keep the suggestions coming. Even the "you're not going to like to hear this..." lol. I do appreciate all of them so far!!
  • shreddin_mama
    shreddin_mama Posts: 1,076 Member
    bump

    i dream of a flat belly
  • sabrehunter
    sabrehunter Posts: 6 Member
    get a fit ball/swiss ball and start developing your core - I have noticed a huge difference from just doing that
    I too have a 'pouch' from babies and fear that it will never go away - but don't wait until you have lost the weight to tone - imagine how many abdominal exercise you can fit in in a year?

    you will have more success with cardio + strength training; add exercises that develop your lower abs - there are heaps out there bicycle crunches are pretty good

    my motto is muscle burns more than fat - so even if you can't see the muscle you are developing through weights - it's under there burning away
  • mama_mia3
    mama_mia3 Posts: 66
    mama_mia3 can I ask how much weight in total you have lost.

    This is my biggest fear about losing the weight.


    In 3 weeks, I've lost 10 lbs. Sorry if the profile pic is deceiving anybody, but I've put that up there for myself to stare at every time I log in. That was a skinnier me and I'd like to be close to that again!!
  • BrattyLori
    BrattyLori Posts: 101 Member
    Hey! Good point about surgery pumping up self esteem!
  • amyrc12
    amyrc12 Posts: 183 Member
    Oh yeah - one more thing, Mama Mia and everyone else: Do NOT do anything that makes you feel humiliated. Posting photos of your fat belly will make you feel bad about yourself. Doing stuff like that is a thing of the past. From now on, you're going to respect yourself and treat yourself like a dear friend that you protect and wont tolerate ANYone talking crap about (especially yourself!) You wouldnt EVER say stuff like that to ME, "Your disgusting stomach looks like play bloop from the toy store - its disgusting." Right? And you don't even KNOW me. So - move away from being mean to my new friend Moma Mia!

    Got it? <3

    Just want to say that i love this!! It is the kind of attitude that breeds success!! Very well said sunshine!
  • danniwhit
    danniwhit Posts: 63 Member
    I have been doing 30 min of cardio boxing, and between 20-45 minutes of zumba pretty much daily for the past 2 weeks, and core yoga and my husband has noticed weight loss mostly in my stomach/lower stomach area. What exercise are you doing most of? I highly recommend cardio boxing and zumba, maybe I am crazy but my stomach feels very worked out after each!
  • punkrockmama
    punkrockmama Posts: 142 Member
    I've heard HIIT (AND CLEAN EATING!!!) can really get the job done!! Search the forums on here, as there's been tons of posts and debate--all of which can cover it much better than I could!
    I'm giving it a try and noticed an immediate increase in weight loss. In fact, I'm pretty sure that using HIIT during running is what got me over a plateau I was experiencing.

    Seriously check it out. The studies sound pretty promising.

    Oh. And good luck. And remember that if you find the cure, you HAVE to share it!!!!
  • BOGmama2010
    BOGmama2010 Posts: 599 Member
    Hate to tell you but your abs are not your big fat burning muscle groups, you need to work your legs (especially) and arms. In general, you need to work and strengthen your entire body (more muscles you work the more muscles you have burning fat). Cardio is a great fat burner and can take you most of the way, but only with strength training can you finish (but that's further down the road). Think of it this way, your abs can only get so flat with training, the fat above the muscles will still be there (and slouching). You have to go through the arduous task of burning off the fat so you can see those abs that you've been working on.

    If you need reassurance, take before pics if you haven't already. Then lose 10 - 20 pounds and take another pic. I believe you'll be pleasantly surprised.

    Totally agree! Great post. You have got to do strength training and work on building muscle so that it continues to burn calories after your workout (cardio workouts are great burners, but the burn doesn't last for long after you finish).

    My belly is the last thing to go (well that and the back of my arms) and I have lost 30 lbs. I can see it going down though as I add more muscle overall to my body. I also eat a diet that I have found really limits my overall bloating too. That helps my stomach to not be so distended.
  • angelicpiece101
    angelicpiece101 Posts: 40 Member
    You asked for exercises that would help tone and work your lower abs....well the BEST thing i've ever done and tried is called the Bender ball.....they sell them at walmart or you can get them online http://www.benderball.com/ the great thing about the bender ball is that it lifts up the lower body and positions you perfectly to tone the lower abs....TRUST me you'll feel it and like the results. Its going to be a long journey, but if your asking for a great workout for your lower abs this is what Id DEF recommend. As this is one of my areas that I try to focus on while doing abs. And, if you get going on it and want some more tips on things to use it with to push you further just let me know! of coarse weight loss is going to be key in loosing a good part of it too so dont give up on that either! good luck!
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