Seeking flat stomach success stories (and pics)!!!
Happyoceangirl
Posts: 1,993 Member
It just occurred to me that maybe, just maybe, it IS possible to achieve a stomach that is tight, toned and slim...... I always thought those results were for "other people" and that no matter what I do, I'm destined to carry any extra weight in my middle. Today I realized, wait!!! "Other people" get those results because they worked for it, right? So if I work (correctly) for it, I can get those results too!!
I'm at a healthy weight for my height, I'm in decent shape, do regular cardio exercise and am adding in resistance training, and yet, the belly fat remains. By faithfully doing some targeted exercise, my core has strengthened quite a bit, and while my midsection has toned up, there's still too much excess fat. Doing planks yesterday, there was this hanging column of fat (2-3 inches wide) down the middle of my stomach. I suppose that's better than when my entire stomach hung down, but .... it's not pretty people. And it's not just "extra skin". In any other position, the pinch and grab test confirms that this stubborn fat is filling the skin.
I suspect that getting the results I want will come down to a dietary commitment that I haven't been willing to make. So I'm doing my research!
Please, share your story, along with pictures. I'm especially interested to hear from those of you who had stubborn belly fat and can give evidence of a significant transformation. Let us know how you did it - 1) what exercises, how often, 2) what dietary guidelines and commitments you made, and 3) what it has taken to maintain your results. Also, any motivational or inspirational tips for maintaining stamina to reach the goal would be greatly appreciated!
I'm at a healthy weight for my height, I'm in decent shape, do regular cardio exercise and am adding in resistance training, and yet, the belly fat remains. By faithfully doing some targeted exercise, my core has strengthened quite a bit, and while my midsection has toned up, there's still too much excess fat. Doing planks yesterday, there was this hanging column of fat (2-3 inches wide) down the middle of my stomach. I suppose that's better than when my entire stomach hung down, but .... it's not pretty people. And it's not just "extra skin". In any other position, the pinch and grab test confirms that this stubborn fat is filling the skin.
I suspect that getting the results I want will come down to a dietary commitment that I haven't been willing to make. So I'm doing my research!
Please, share your story, along with pictures. I'm especially interested to hear from those of you who had stubborn belly fat and can give evidence of a significant transformation. Let us know how you did it - 1) what exercises, how often, 2) what dietary guidelines and commitments you made, and 3) what it has taken to maintain your results. Also, any motivational or inspirational tips for maintaining stamina to reach the goal would be greatly appreciated!
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Replies
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oohhhh......I am interested in this too!0
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I agree and am interested in knowing as well! From what I've heard it's all about what you are eating... but don't really know what that is supposed to be LOL0
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Great thread!!0
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ditto.. i want to know it is actually possible!!!!0
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I'm interested too. I have that same column of fat problem. I thought once I was in the 120s it would go away. Obviously not.0
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Would love to hear some! After 2 c-sections...I'm gonna have issues when it gets to that point, once I lose the weight.0
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I totally understand. I am working hard daily on cardio, abs including planks daily. I think that if we just keep working on it eventually we will see the results..WE CAN DO THIS!!!
I LOVE TO HATE PLANKS!0 -
I'm interested too. I have that same column of fat problem. I thought once I was in the 120s it would go away. Obviously not.
Sorry you suffer from it, but on the other hand, I'm relieved to know it's not just me! I'm like "WTF"?"" Hard to know how to describe it exactly.
Alright you MFP'ers with toned tummies - we need help! Pronto!
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I know I am a guy and most posters on this thread are ladies. But I figured the math would probably be the same. I am about half way through my journey of losing belly fat. I fell out of shape a few years back and let myself go as you will see in first picture. The last picture is today. So far I have lost many inches. I didn't do measurements before I started losing but I have lost at least 4 inches off of my belly since I have been measuring. I have done this through a combination of weight training and a lot of cardio. I run, bike, swim, and use the elliptical. I weight lift at least 3 times a week and I make sure I exercise every day. Along with counting calories I am pleased with the results so far. The main thing is understanding that you have to lose the fat from everywhere and not just the belly. Good luck with all of your journeys.
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I can tell you from past & present experience that DIET is a huge factor! :flowerforyou:
When I exercise like crazy and eat only very healthy small portions, BELLY FAT can still be an issue. :sad: :brokenheart:
At least for me & my body type, the foods to AVOID are:
** DAIRY (NO milk, yoghurt, cheese, ice cream), eggs OK
** WHEAT/GRAINS (NO pasta, bread, muffins etc.) except small amounts of brown rice, quinoa, amaranth)
** SUGAR (NO candy, soda, pastries, cakes etc.) small amounts of good chocolate OK
** PROCESSED FOODS (anything in a package, can or bag... except veggies!)
** FRIED/FAST FOODS (fries, burgers, hot dogs etc.)
** ALCOHOL (wine, beer, mixed drinks)
So what's left??? :laugh:
Meats, veggies, fruit, nuts & seeds, healthy oils. Works for me boys & girls!
SUGAR & ALCOHOL are probably the biggest belly fat makers.
Best of luck all!!!
:flowerforyou: :drinker: 0 -
I'm interested too. I have that same column of fat problem. I thought once I was in the 120s it would go away. Obviously not.
Sorry you suffer from it, but on the other hand, I'm relieved to know it's not just me! I'm like "WTF"?"" Hard to know how to describe it exactly.
Alright you MFP'ers with toned tummies - we need help! Pronto!
Lol, I have never heard it called a column of fat but it makes perfect sense!! I love it :P
I, too, suffer from this COF disorder... Glad I'm not the only one!! Hopefully someone hear can hook us up with the answers..0 -
Great posts! I am curious as well!0
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I know I am a guy and most posters on this thread are ladies. But I figured the math would probably be the same. I am about half way through my journey of losing belly fat. I fell out of shape a few years back and let myself go as you will see in first picture. The last picture is today. So far I have lost many inches. I didn't do measurements before I started losing but I have lost at least 4 inches off of my belly since I have been measuring. I have done this through a combination of weight training and a lot of cardio. I run, bike, swim, and use the elliptical. I weight lift at least 3 times a week and I make sure I exercise every day. Along with counting calories I am pleased with the results so far. The main thing is understanding that you have to lose the fat from everywhere and not just the belly. Good luck with all of your journeys.
Thanks for chiming in - you're looking GREAT! :flowerforyou: Your belly is definitely trimming down. With your diet, do you restrict any nutrients? Or are you mainly watching calories? Also, sounds like a varied workout has been helpful in overall fat loss.
The point you made about losing fat from everywhere is accurate, and I realize that. I guess the frustration (and reason for asking) is that the fat seems to be so much more stubborn in the mid-section. :grumble:
Now would be a good time to share "the paper towel theory" that I read here on MFP (can't properly attribute the source b/c i don't remember). Losing fat is like using up a roll of paper towels. At first, when the roll is full, it's barely noticeable when a few sheets are removed. As you get toward the end of the roll, removal of a single paper towel makes a visible difference in the size of the roll. Same with fat loss.
Sigh. :ohwell: Maybe I need patience as I'm slowly nearing the "end of my roll" (literally!) BUT I really want to speed this up.
Thank you for your photos and your tips.0 -
I want to hear these too! I HATE doing planks for the same reason :frown:0
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Great job Nate!!! Looking Good Man!!! :flowerforyou: :drinker:0
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I don't know if I have EVER had the "flat stomach"...even growing up and I played 3 sports in high school and college softball too. Maybe I did, but I think I've always had a dissatisfaction with my stomach. Now after 2 kids...will it be possible? I am just as curious as the rest of you. I've been pretty committed to a healthy diet since January...trying to eat all the super-foods daily, non-processed stuff, veggies and whole grains - and I've lost about 6lbs (finally past the plateau I was at!). My husband says he notices a difference in my mid-section (believe it or not he told me, thinking it was a compliment, that my "over-hang" was smaller). And I'm down a pants size so I know that I've gotten smaller...but I STILL feel a flabby pooch on my stomach...even though I know there are abs under there! I guess we just have to keep plugging away - and I'm thinking that I will have to stop the mini-splurges (cookie or chocolate) - it's probably going straight to my belly!0
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I watch calories, however it is important that the calories you are eating are good calories. Sodium is a killer. I also make sure to eat back my workout calories so that my body will process fat faster.0
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Just wishful thinking but, maybe we should do a plank in front of a mirror. Maybe it just looks worse cause we are looking down at it...I'm interested too. I have that same column of fat problem. I thought once I was in the 120s it would go away. Obviously not.
Sorry you suffer from it, but on the other hand, I'm relieved to know it's not just me! I'm like "WTF"?"" Hard to know how to describe it exactly.
Alright you MFP'ers with toned tummies - we need help! Pronto!
Lol, I have never heard it called a column of fat but it makes perfect sense!! I love it :P
I, too, suffer from this COF disorder... Glad I'm not the only one!! Hopefully someone hear can hook us up with the answers..0 -
ok, so it might not be SUPER flat, but considering i've never had any muscle tone in my life and had given up on that dream completely after having my son, i'm pretty happy with where i'm at now. i still get excited when i can see muscles in there. ha!
i do my best to use my 1200 calories wisely, and i do jillian michales 30day shred 3-6 times a week. i've started trying to add in a little jogging when i can get outside before it gets dark, but thats a work in progress since i HATE jogging. hoping i can learn to love it!
Before:
Now:
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back when i had a super flat stomach that felt hard when you touched it.
Eating Habits:
*Limited Alcohol,
*Ate several small portions through out the day, including greek yogurt, salads loaded with veggies and grilled chicken, stayed away from carbs for the most part.
Exercise:
Tu/Th - Spinning for 1 hour and Insanity workouts
Wed/Sat - Boot Camp Style work outs and Ran 6 miles
Monday/Friday - Personal Training mixed with Lifting and Cardio Intervals
As you can see I used to work out A LOT. So I think its about eating clean and working really hard! I wouldn't go so extreme now just because it's so hard to maintain that lifestyle. I didn't have that much time for anything else.0 -
back when i had a super flat stomach that felt hard when you touched it.
Eating Habits:
*Limited Alcohol,
*Ate several small portions through out the day, including greek yogurt, salads loaded with veggies and grilled chicken, stayed away from carbs for the most part.
Exercise:
Tu/Th - Spinning for 1 hour and Insanity workouts
Wed/Sat - Boot Camp Style work outs and Ran 6 miles
Monday/Friday - Personal Training mixed with Lifting and Cardio Intervals
As you can see I used to work out A LOT. So I think its about eating clean and working really hard! I wouldn't go so extreme now just because it's so hard to maintain that lifestyle. I didn't have that much time for anything else.
Back when I was a size 6 and had my 6 pk abs this is exactly what I was doing. I was at the gym 6 days a week for about 3-4 hours a day...Sometiems I would spend ALL day Saturday there too..VERY difficult lifestyle to maintain... Miss the body but don't miss the workout/eating routine!0 -
A previous poster hit the nail on the head. You have to do a combination of cardio and weight training. Yes, you still need to do ab work, but in reality, you should only be doing them 3 days a week. When you work them, work them hard. By adding weight training, your body will build lean muscle, and what does lean muscle do? It burns fat. So, even if you are squating with 30lbs, your are not only toning your legs, but helping to burn fat all over you body.
I had a flat stomach up until my 9lb 8oz baby girl and my 11lb 1 oz baby boy. Yes, I had HUGE babies. My lower stomach looks like a map of a large city from all of the stretch marks, but, minus the excess skin from the giant boy and 2 c-sections, my stomach is flat. My hip bones poke out. Now, with that being said....MY THIGHS look like a ski hill filled with moguls...grrrr :mad:
Your body will loose fat in reverse of how your body put it on. So if you put the fat on your belly first and last on your thighs, it is going to loose the thigh fat first, then the belly fat.
Bottom line, keep up the good work and you will get the results you deserve!0 -
I think I kinda got good results with what I did...always a fatty now a flatty!!!
first get rid of too much sugar and sodium in diet, then run your butt off hard!! and then shred with jillian michaels!!
my before and afters are in my pro if you care to see!!...0 -
I think I kinda got good results with what I did...always a fatty now a flatty!!!
first get rid of too much sugar and sodium in diet, then run your butt off hard!! and then shred with jillian michaels!!
my before and afters are in my pro if you care to see!!...
holy smokes, way to go!!!!0 -
back when i had a super flat stomach that felt hard when you touched it.
Eating Habits:
*Limited Alcohol,
*Ate several small portions through out the day, including greek yogurt, salads loaded with veggies and grilled chicken, stayed away from carbs for the most part.
Exercise:
Tu/Th - Spinning for 1 hour and Insanity workouts
Wed/Sat - Boot Camp Style work outs and Ran 6 miles
Monday/Friday - Personal Training mixed with Lifting and Cardio Intervals
As you can see I used to work out A LOT. So I think its about eating clean and working really hard! I wouldn't go so extreme now just because it's so hard to maintain that lifestyle. I didn't have that much time for anything else.
Thanks for this... I'm starting to accept that it will take major determination. How's your stomach now? Since you're not going so hard core??
Also, I was just wondering about greek yogurt because I discovered some that is SOOOOOOOOOOOO good, and yet it has sugar, and someone else on here mentioned cutting out dairy. I am a sugar-a-holic and that's the biggest challenge for me. I also like me some fast food (gotta be real here), but I think I could cut that out if I get fixated on a goal.0 -
I'm interested too. I have that same column of fat problem. I thought once I was in the 120s it would go away. Obviously not.
Sorry you suffer from it, but on the other hand, I'm relieved to know it's not just me! I'm like "WTF"?"" Hard to know how to describe it exactly.
Alright you MFP'ers with toned tummies - we need help! Pronto!
Lol, I have never heard it called a column of fat but it makes perfect sense!! I love it :P
I, too, suffer from this COF disorder... Glad I'm not the only one!! Hopefully someone hear can hook us up with the answers..
"COF Disorder" :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: It's never been amusing to me before now. Thanks for the laugh.0 -
Just wishful thinking but, maybe we should do a plank in front of a mirror. Maybe it just looks worse cause we are looking down at it...I'm interested too. I have that same column of fat problem. I thought once I was in the 120s it would go away. Obviously not.
Sorry you suffer from it, but on the other hand, I'm relieved to know it's not just me! I'm like "WTF"?"" Hard to know how to describe it exactly.
Alright you MFP'ers with toned tummies - we need help! Pronto!
Lol, I have never heard it called a column of fat but it makes perfect sense!! I love it :P
I, too, suffer from this COF disorder... Glad I'm not the only one!! Hopefully someone hear can hook us up with the answers..
Going to do this now - will report back. I am not optimistic. Maybe we should start a thread "Correcting COF Disorder"0 -
Personally i think that the obvious solution for your rippeling stomach flabs are more chocolate cake!!! Trust me im a doctor..0
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I can tell you from past & present experience that DIET is a huge factor! :flowerforyou:
When I exercise like crazy and eat only very healthy small portions, BELLY FAT can still be an issue. :sad: :brokenheart:
At least for me & my body type, the foods to AVOID are:
** DAIRY (NO milk, yoghurt, cheese, ice cream), eggs OK
** WHEAT/GRAINS (NO pasta, bread, muffins etc.) except small amounts of brown rice, quinoa, amaranth)
** SUGAR (NO candy, soda, pastries, cakes etc.) small amounts of good chocolate OK
** PROCESSED FOODS (anything in a package, can or bag... except veggies!)
** FRIED/FAST FOODS (fries, burgers, hot dogs etc.)
** ALCOHOL (wine, beer, mixed drinks)
So what's left??? :laugh:
Meats, veggies, fruit, nuts & seeds, healthy oils. Works for me boys & girls!
SUGAR & ALCOHOL are probably the biggest belly fat makers.
Best of luck all!!! :flowerforyou: :drinker:
Thank you for this honest but un-inviting report. Question for you: say you have a cheat meal or decide on ice cream for dessert after you have achieved this toned tummy through blood, sweat and tears. What happens then? Does a COF instantly appear? Do you get bloated for a day or two but then get your hot bod back? I guess I'm curious how much you can let the diet slide once you "get there". 0 -
Just my two cents, but I've been doing a lot of research into this cause I'm in the same boat. Apparently, it's not so much a question of your weight, but your body fat percentage. So you may be perfectly within your normal weight (which for a lot of us around here is great!), but you aren't at the appropriate weight to get that rock hard stomach.
My understanding is that to get great stomach/abs, you need to be at at least 15% body fat, possibly closer to 10%. Now that's coming from a guy, but I'm sure there are similar translations to women as well.0
This discussion has been closed.
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