How to get rid of stubborn stomach fat?

JoeyJxox
JoeyJxox Posts: 2 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
I have quite skinny arms, legs and shoulders but a disproportionate amount of fat on my stomach. I've been healthy eating and exercising recently but all the weight I've lost (approx 8lbs) has pretty much just come off everywhere except my stomach/muffin top! I want to proceed with my diet because I'm determined to get rid of this stupid belly fat once and for all and I know there's no such thing as spot reduction but surely the only way to get rid of a fat stomach it is to continue losing fat? I'm just worried more weight loss will just make my arms and legs look even thinner though and they're pretty boney as it is. I have just invested in dumbells and an 8kg kettlebell to build more muscle so any recommended exercise plans would be great. I'm hoping to improve my stomach within the next month or so - I have a very fitted dress around my waist to wear!! Thank you :)

Replies

  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    I know there's no such thing as spot reduction but surely the only way to get rid of a fat stomach it is to continue losing fat?

    Bingo! Keep eating in a deficit and start lifting, that way you aren't losing muscle and the loss will come from fat. http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1161603/so-you-want-a-nice-stomach
  • VioletRojo
    VioletRojo Posts: 597 Member
    I don't see fat, I see lack of muscles. I would start a strength program. If you do a search, you'll find a thread listing many great programs. I'm sorry I can't provide you a link to it from my phone.
  • JoeyJxox
    JoeyJxox Posts: 2 Member
    Thank you for your replies! Would you recommend I follow a program to build muscle on my arms or my stomach or all over? Is it realistic that I could build much over the course of 5 weeks?
  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    sammydxx wrote: »
    Thank you for your replies! Would you recommend I follow a program to build muscle on my arms or my stomach or all over? Is it realistic that I could build much over the course of 5 weeks?

    No, you are not going to build much muscle in 5 weeks. Building muscle is a long term proposition. A full body workout will get you the most bang for your buck. Search for a thread titled So You Want a Nice Stomach.
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    You don't have stomach fat, you have low amounts of muscle.
    https://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/meet-staci-your-new-powerlifting-super-hero/
  • T1DCarnivoreRunner
    T1DCarnivoreRunner Posts: 11,502 Member
    I'm the exact same way - I have a bit more arm muscle than you, but still not much. My arms hold very little fat while my belly seems to keep most of the fat. This is proven by my last Dexa scan in addition to photos:

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    pkiiip0ztvj4.jpg

    Something I remember reading somewhere (I can't recall where or whether it is true) is that if you grow up - during teens and early 20's - with belly fat, then you will never be able to fully get rid of it. I hope that is incorrect, because my goal is 10% body fat (Dexa in Apr. was 15.8% and I am about the same weight still) and I'm eager to see what I look like when I get there. Unfortunately, as I have gotten closer to goal, that has been proven true.
  • VintageFeline
    VintageFeline Posts: 6,771 Member
    As a male, even if fat is predisposed to the midsection, there should be visible definition everywhere else at 15% and even then not too much in the belly. I know you've had DEXAs regularly which is why I find it quite curious. 10% is lean athlete levels. Anyway, this is off topic but I feel it does need perspective in the context of this topic, OP doesn't have belly fat at all so your self example in reality is unnecessary.

    OP, good advice from others. I wouldn't do a part specific schedule, that's how imbalances happen (unless targeting a large muscle group like glutes). If you are new to lifting go for an established program depending on your preference. They range from bodyweight to heavy. If you pop into the gaining weight subforum there's a great thread on how to pick your program.
  • fitmom4lifemfp
    fitmom4lifemfp Posts: 1,573 Member
    sammydxx wrote: »
    I have quite skinny arms, legs and shoulders but a disproportionate amount of fat on my stomach. I've been healthy eating and exercising recently but all the weight I've lost (approx 8lbs) has pretty much just come off everywhere except my stomach/muffin top! I want to proceed with my diet because I'm determined to get rid of this stupid belly fat once and for all and I know there's no such thing as spot reduction but surely the only way to get rid of a fat stomach it is to continue losing fat? I'm just worried more weight loss will just make my arms and legs look even thinner though and they're pretty boney as it is. I have just invested in dumbells and an 8kg kettlebell to build more muscle so any recommended exercise plans would be great. I'm hoping to improve my stomach within the next month or so - I have a very fitted dress around my waist to wear!! Thank you :)

    I don't see a fat stomach in that picture. I don't see ANY fat. I do see very skinny arms. Start working out.
  • its_whisper
    its_whisper Posts: 112 Member
    How much weight do you need to lose? for me the belly weight was actually one of the first to go. It all depends on how your body is shaped. For example, apple shaped people tend to store fat in their bellies where as pear shaped people store fat in their butt hips and thighs but not their stomach. It also depends on your age. I read once to lose belly fat you need more omega 3 in your diet ( I don't know if this is 100% true) and to work out and build muscle.
  • its_whisper
    its_whisper Posts: 112 Member
    I just saw your pic- you don't have belly fat! you just need to build muscle :)
  • czmiles926
    czmiles926 Posts: 130 Member
    You have a very similar build to me: I also have very thin arms a belly which sticks out. I'm going to start doing a lot more exercise to tone and build muscle as soon as I'm well enough
  • T1DCarnivoreRunner
    T1DCarnivoreRunner Posts: 11,502 Member
    As a male, even if fat is predisposed to the midsection, there should be visible definition everywhere else at 15% and even then not too much in the belly. I know you've had DEXAs regularly which is why I find it quite curious. 10% is lean athlete levels. Anyway, this is off topic but I feel it does need perspective in the context of this topic, OP doesn't have belly fat at all so your self example in reality is unnecessary.

    Right, I appear to be way more than 15.8% because it is concentrated in part of my body. If you look just at my arms (in fact, the left arm showing more in the above photos has 1.2% more fat than the right arm), veins are normally visible and they look quite thin - I'll even acknowledge that the photo I posted makes my arms look more heavy than they do IRL. Meanwhile, my belly is really big and very obvious because it has a higher fat percentage than the arms and elsewhere. The focal point of the picture is a really fat area, which makes me look overall to be really fat. When I'm wearing a shirt well and covering that big fat mass, I appear to be rather thin. because my arms are thin.

    From OP's photo, a similar situation is occurring - look only at each arm and block out the rest. Then look at her belly. There is a big difference between them. Neither appears overly fat, but her arms do appear too thin; the disparity is why she is asking for help. I wish I had the answer, but so far I continue to try losing fat and it just comes from the wrong area.
  • Sloth2016
    Sloth2016 Posts: 838 Member
    edited July 2017
    This caught the interest of Lyle McDonald in one of his articles and he even wrote a complete book about it. Posting the article here for interest: http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/why-is-stubborn-fat-stubborn.html/

    tl;dr: comes down the differences in distribution among different parts of the body of cellular adreno-receptors that govern cells' metabolizing of fat, the distribution varying by gender and genetics. In his book, he recommends a number of strategies, including various supplements with exercise, or combining rigorous exercise (e.g., HIIT) followed by lower intensity exercise (e.g., walk or light jog).
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