that LAST bit of stubborn belly fat

rainbowbow
rainbowbow Posts: 7,489 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi :)

I have been on MFP for around 4 years now. I lift weights 4 days a week. I eat around 1800 calories per day. I get 40c/30p/30f. I generally think i know what i'm doing and i've done plenty of research on diet, exercise, general nutrition, etc.

My question is from any ladies (or men for that matter) who have a 6 pack or visible abs or have trained people in this area; how do i lose that LAST bit of belly fat?!

It seems like no matter what i do that LAST bit right under my belly button NEVER goes away and it's frustrating.


I'm not sure if it's just because i don't have pronounced enough abs (specifically obliques?) or what, but it's infuriating. When i do flex (which none of these are flexed) you can clearly see my top abs, but there is a hardish layer of fat RIGHT under the belly button.


I'd like advice on what i can do to get this remaining area. My bodyfat% is pretty low and i've lost most fat everywhere else, it's just right there! It's to the point where i am just ready to lipo it or something.

I have met my goals on definition in my arms, legs, back, etc. It's only my waist that usually looks "soft".

Any advice?

When bloated
1_zpsaow2hjvx.jpg

side view
2_zpswbuw1eqg.jpg


early morning
3_zps96hajwsc.jpg


I am looking for either training advice or suggestions on changing up my daily diet. Thanks for any helpful feedback!


Replies

  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,489 Member
    bump
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,489 Member
    Also, Inb4 someone says "you cant spot reduce".

    I know that. I'm aware. But gosh dangit, how low must my body fat GO? I am already starting to lose some of that plumpness in my face and cheeks and dont want to look gaunt just to have that last bit gone.
  • Sarasmaintaining
    Sarasmaintaining Posts: 1,027 Member
    Looks pretty gosh darn good to me :) I've got nothing else, sorry lol.
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,489 Member
    Sarasmaintaining wrote: »
    Looks pretty gosh darn good to me :) I've got nothing else, sorry lol.

    It's okay. ;)

    It's difficult to explain how it feels, but the rest of the fat i've lost has been squishy and giggly. This fat seems THICK or hard and i can feel it right over the top of my abs. :(
  • betuel75
    betuel75 Posts: 776 Member
    edited April 2015
    Do you work your abs in those four days a week you lift weights? Everyday im lifting i finish with abs and everyday its a different ab routine. Have you had body fat % tested? Maybe you need to get to a certain bf level before they show. I know this is true for guys.
  • krissyreminisce
    krissyreminisce Posts: 284 Member
    Ironically, that area was the first bit of abdominal fat to go. Then the sides, and then the top down. All that's left is the area right at my belly button. The perfect area to hang over most of my pants. :angry: I don't have anymore weight to lose and my BF% is rather low. I'm not looking for abs, just a flat stomach.

    I hope someone can give you an answer!
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,489 Member
    edited April 2015
    betuel75 wrote: »
    Do you work your abs in those four days a week you lift weights? Everyday im lifting i finish with abs and everyday its a different a different ab routine. Have you had body fat % tested? Maybe you need to get to a certain bf level before they show. I know this is true for guys.

    Im at about 17% bodyfat. According to calipers.*** I am like 15% according to my omron which is probably wildly innacurate. This is comparable to the 11-14% range in men.

    I am sort of weary about dropping lower because i already have a thyroid problem and don't want to cause hormonal problems or lose my period. =/

    I DO train abs, but only -2 time a week. My reasoning behind this is that i am doing compound lifts and other exercises which engage my core, and i really want to avoid the "blocky" looking waist that happens when women train obliques all the time.
  • kikichewie
    kikichewie Posts: 276 Member
    The answer is probably lipo or learning to live with it. Being that lean is virtually impossible to sustain for any length of time. Even competitors usually carry more fat day to day. The reality is that your little bit of softness there is natural, and it's far more attractive than a potentially botched lipo job. Ask Tara Reid. You are being too picky. It's your right, of course.
  • Chieflrg
    Chieflrg Posts: 9,094 Member
    edited April 2015
    I don't see anything from the pics you posted. If it's indeed fat, all you can do it eat at a deficit or possible even bulk up the mid section upper and lower then cut which isn't easy and takes a while. Honestly you look fine though.
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,489 Member
    kikichewie wrote: »
    You are being too picky.

    What's infuriating is from age 7-14 i had a full visible and seperated 6 pack as i was a competitive gymnast.

    it seems like i can never get back to that now that im old and not doing gymnastics. =/

    Also, yes i am picky. :P
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    rainbowbow wrote: »
    Also, Inb4 someone says "you cant spot reduce".

    I know that. I'm aware. But gosh dangit, how low must my body fat GO? I am already starting to lose some of that plumpness in my face and cheeks and dont want to look gaunt just to have that last bit gone.

    Unfortunately your face will thin before you lose the belly fat. Your options are to stay the way you are now and learn to be happy or to keep losing fat and accept that your face will look extra thin for a while.

    You can't compare your adult self to your childhood self. Your hormones are WAY different now.
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,489 Member
    usmcmp wrote: »
    rainbowbow wrote: »
    Also, Inb4 someone says "you cant spot reduce".

    I know that. I'm aware. But gosh dangit, how low must my body fat GO? I am already starting to lose some of that plumpness in my face and cheeks and dont want to look gaunt just to have that last bit gone.

    Unfortunately your face will thin before you lose the belly fat. Your options are to stay the way you are now and learn to be happy or to keep losing fat and accept that your face will look extra thin for a while.

    You can't compare your adult self to your childhood self. Your hormones are WAY different now.

    *looks at your profile photo*

    :'(

    Damn. Hard news is hard to take. I know you're probably right, but dang it all.
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    The first few months of your face being thinner are rough. I personally thought I looked like a skull wrapped in skin. Nobody else thought that. When I started gaining the weight back during my bulk it was hard seeing my face fill out again. You'll adjust to how your face looks and it won't seem gaunt anymore.
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,489 Member
    usmcmp wrote: »
    The first few months of your face being thinner are rough. I personally thought I looked like a skull wrapped in skin. Nobody else thought that. When I started gaining the weight back during my bulk it was hard seeing my face fill out again. You'll adjust to how your face looks and it won't seem gaunt anymore.

    Yeah, i need to see how that works out. "a skull wrapped in skin" had me laughing. That's dead on.

    :lol:
  • betuel75
    betuel75 Posts: 776 Member
    If dropping more body fat may cause you problems then its not worth it just to have visible abs. Also i got used to the gaunt face and actually like it more than when i'm just a few pounds heavier and my face is more filled in.
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    betuel75 wrote: »
    If dropping more body fat may cause you problems then its not worth it just to have visible abs. Also i got used to the gaunt face and actually like it more than when i'm just a few pounds heavier and my face is more filled in.

    I like my face thinner now as well. I hated it at first, but now I can't stand the fuller look.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    What about eating at maintenance and hitting the weights hard??
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    christinev297 wrote: »
    What about eating at maintenance and hitting the weights hard??

    She'll still lose body fat and her face will get thinner. Recomposition doesn't change where the fat comes from.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    usmcmp wrote: »
    christinev297 wrote: »
    What about eating at maintenance and hitting the weights hard??

    She'll still lose body fat and her face will get thinner. Recomposition doesn't change where the fat comes from.

    Dammit lol I'm kinda in the same position as OP, with the thin face and a little bit of belly left.
    I'm watching this thread closely.

  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    You look perfect. No offense intended, but it seems to me your belly fat could be your perception. :smile:
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    SLLRunner wrote: »
    You look perfect. No offense intended, but it seems to me your belly fat could be your perception. :smile:

    oohh yes, yes,Yes. OP your tum looks great to me!
    Most of us see ourselves differently than the people around us do

This discussion has been closed.

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