How to get rid of belly/pooch flab? [w/pic]
plutoniansmash
Posts: 23
Hello everyone! I've been on my lifestyle/weight loss quest for about three months now, going on four. I've successfully lost about 20 pounds (I went about a month and a half before I started using MFP) but my biggest problem area isn't doing much in the shrinking arena. I've always had a HUGE pooch that sits right at my gut and I have no idea what to do to get rid of it! I've only seen like one other woman my size that's had one - it just seems so uncommon. 
It makes it very difficult to find clothing that looks good - shirts look terrible unless I have pants that fit all the way up to my waist (which are incredibly hard to find in the juniors section!) and dresses have to have a waist band in the precisely right spot otherwise I look pregnant.
I'm 20 years old, and my current weight is approximately 154.
On to the picture! Apologies for the messy room.
Any advice would be appreciated!! I would love suggestions that DON'T involve a gym, however, as I will no longer have access to one in about a week.
It makes it very difficult to find clothing that looks good - shirts look terrible unless I have pants that fit all the way up to my waist (which are incredibly hard to find in the juniors section!) and dresses have to have a waist band in the precisely right spot otherwise I look pregnant.I'm 20 years old, and my current weight is approximately 154.
On to the picture! Apologies for the messy room.
Any advice would be appreciated!! I would love suggestions that DON'T involve a gym, however, as I will no longer have access to one in about a week.
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Replies
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I don't have much good advice, except for spoil yourself and go for a good fitting pair of jeans from Nordstrom. I would have never said that 5 years ago, but recently I got some Big Star jeans, about $100, and they are worth EVERY penny. They sit higher on the waist but not super high like grandma pants. They are super slimming.
Good luck, I know how bad it sucks to be self conscious about your belly!0 -
Hello Plutoniansmash! Unfortunately there isn't a way to target body fat in a specific area of your body. That is the most popular fitness myth. As you lean out your body will empty the fat cells in that area. If you have every had a c-section your muscles might not tighten back up like they were before the surgery. Also, if you have lost a bunch of weight you could be left with extra skin. If this is the case then getting it removed by a surgeon is the only option. Keep eating clean and burning calories with high intensity workouts and your body will keep changing. I hope this helps some....Have a good one!0
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My only suggestion is to try pilates. Every exercise in pilates focuses on your core, with several exercises targeting your lower abs. You could probably find a video to use at home for less than $10.0
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I got rid of mines with lots of cardio. Unfortunately, that's one of the areas fat loves to hang out the most. Lots of lower back, upper ab and lower ab exercises with lots of cardio. Good luck. You can get it done.0
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wow i commend you for posting that pic. i couldnt do it. i have the same problem area and i HATE it. it just hangs there. lol but it has shrunk since i lost 40 lbs but its still there. i do backwards sit ups and they burn that area you shoud try those. and if you find something that works faster and better pls share it with me. lol0
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hi.
two possible options that would work (especially in combined) are start belly dancing and do nutritional juice fasting. There's a dvd called belly dancing for ab sculpting that I got on ebay...and for nutritional information and fasting format there's a book called staying healthy with the seasons by elson haas.
best on your journey0 -
Well it looks like extra skin.Im assuming youve tried situps etc? I used to be your size a long time ago.Well,this isnt the best thing cause it comes back if you dont keep working at it but when I was in my 20s I had a breast reduction and liposuction in my abdomen.Maybe just a tuck for you? Hope your not offended.I think you look good all over and its like loose skin from what I can tell.0
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Well, I think cardio is what you have to do (and lots of it), and the add extra ab-focused exercises. I'm thin and have a poochy tummy (had 3 kids) and mine has gone down alot, Its still a work in progress though.0
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Cardio. I know you said you won't have access to a gym - so I would invest in a good cardio workout dvd (heard great things about JM 30 day shred). Unfortunately, our bodies lose fat from where THEY want to lose it and not where WE want them to lose it from.
I've been running and doing circuit training and have seen a great change in my belly. Is it perfectly flat? Nope - but it is way smaller than it used to be.
Just keep going.0 -
Someone posted this link yesterday and seems like its very effective try them out and it's free:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywJqdtmhhv0&feature=channel
Good Luck!!! :-)0 -
Karamae- At the moment I'm working on borrowed jeans!! My friend gave me 11 pairs (I kid you not, 11) of jeans she was getting rid of... I don't want to buy new jeans until I'm at my goal weight, which is about another 20lbs away. But when I get there I will definitely be splurging!
Florida - I'm not sure if it's skin or not, it's so hard to tell.
It's definitely more loose and flabby down there than it was before, but I'm not sure how to measure how much fat is still hanging out.
Beetle - Pilates is a fantastic suggestion!
I was thinking about picking up some dvds for when my gym access is cut off, so I will def look into that!
Gilbrod - Ugh, cardio, my favorite. :P I've been planning on upping my ab exercises... I guess now is the time to do it!
FGFG - Haha, thanks. It's easy for me to share on the internet, but I would never show someone in person!!
Dio - Belly dancing is another fantastic dvd suggestion! Will definitely look into that as well! I'm not a fan of fasting though.. My body is doing well on my current eating regime and I don't want to throw it off by making a dramatic change like that.
Kparks - Not offended at all!! I'm glad to hear it looks mostly like loose skin, actually. I can't afford a tummy tuck (I'm about to go to Liverpool lol) but it's something to consider in the future if I can't get rid of it the old-fashioned way.
Melissa - Oh, cardio, my not-bff. Haha.
Chevy - I'm planning on buying the 30 day shred! It'll be the first dvd I buy!
Thank you all for your comments and support! 0 -
I agree with melissarunner. If you go to a gym, ask a trainer which machines focus on the abdominal muscles or what exercises you need to be doing.0
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bump!0
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Have you had an exam to rule out any possible medical causes?0
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Loly - I'm about to lose gym access.
NotGoddess - No, I haven't, but I have a variety of stomach/digestive problems. I've had this since basically puberty, haha.0 -
I commend you for reaching out!!!
You will lose it, I know you can!! Mind over matter - think it will be done and it will be done. By you!!!
Congratulations on your journey thus far - continue and know we are 100% behind you!!0 -
I wish I could figure out how to down load picture to show you that I have the same concern (due to surgery) and have had a great reduction without much loss on the scale or in inches. There is a very old DVD called Callanetis by Calian Pincney who states in her review that "my only competition is plastic surgery". She is amazing yesterday I read that someone picked this DVD up at the second hand store for a little over a buck.0
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I had exactly the same thing. Exactly. It is excess skin, and you can build the best 6 pack in the world, and still have it.. I had a tummy tuck, with no regrets.....one suggestion if you do. Get your weight where you want it and don't gain. It will show up as back slab! Which is what happened to me --- I have a flat tummy now, but gained and got these enormous muffins on my backside....0
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I have this too, but mine is from a surgery scar. I have been doing JIllian MIchaels DVDs and it has been shrinking. I bet in the last 32 pounds I have lost half of it. I did 30 day shred, Ripped in 30, and now do No More Trouble Zones and Burn Fat, Boost Metabolism. I can't afford a gym either, and since I have a scar there I wonder if mine will ever truly go away.0
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I have EXACTLY the same, and am a similar weight to you. When I lose weight, I lose it all over, but that SHAPE which I hate, stays the same. Its really depressing to have lost loads of weight and feel much healthier, but still look bulgy in clothes!
Don't know what they are called, but those ab exercises where you lift your legs up feel like they are helping a bit, and I like the idea of pilates. Any other suggestions very welcome!0 -
I'll be following this thread for sure. I'm 6 weeks post hysterectomy and have this same problem. This is my second incision in this area. It seems the more I lose, the more it "hangs".0
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Mine isn't surgery related, thankfully/unfortunately. I'm thankful I've never had surgery, but unfortunately I have no other reason for it to be there!!
I bought a few dvds off of amazon last night (JM 30ds, a pilates, and a kickboxing/yoga one a friend recommended) so once those arrive I'll be starting them hardcore!
It's sad to hear that chances are it's mostly excess skin... I can't imagine that's cheap, and finding someone willing to do one on a 20-year-old doesn't sound too likely haha. We'll have to see though!0 -
Hi! I have basically the same thing...the more fat that is burned, the more it will shrink....I lost 30 pounds last year and it was still there...not as big, but still apparent. One thing I've found that works is a CORSET/GIRDLE. It not only makes you look instantly 15 pounds lighter, but it also strengthens those muscles in the abdominal region and gives shape back to the skin. The more often you wear it, the more your body will take it's shape. Because of the constriction, it makes you eat less, too. It's not the most comfortable thing in the world, but once you get used to it, it's hard NOT to wear it. This is the one I have
----> http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002JLFMNI/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
You wear a bra with it and it even gives you a good lift Check it out, it might work for you. 0 -
Hey, lady! This response is quite late, however, I would like to share with everyone else in need of an answer to your question - if you yourself have already reached your goal! I have struggled with a pooch myself and found these remedies to have OUTSTANDING results. I am not a fan of working out - although I do - so I have found ways of maintaining my weight through other solutions, if I don't have time to workout. My MAIN secret to a flat stomache will be the last mentioned.
1). Im sure you all know to eat every three hours
2). 80% of your health/weight is what you eat: In other words, no matter how hard you workout, if you do not have a clean eating diet you WILL NOT reach your goal.
3). Cardio, not abs: Before you even think about doing abs you need to do cardio. You already have abs, you need to burn the fat off first and THEN start thinking about abs. I know it sounds exausting - it is! - but you will not reach your goal by not at LEAST trying this.
4). Eating clean: My main secret of how I IMMEDIATELY started losing that extra little pooch is eating Gluten-free. It sounds expensive, I know. But all you have to do is cut bread out of your diet, thus making your budget SMALLER. Yes, certain foods are expensive but there is no need to buy gluten free cake, bread, etc. Keep in mind, just because it's gluten free doesnt mean it's healthy; stick with raw foods, and cut bread out of your diet0 -
Have you had an exam to rule out any possible medical causes?
that came to my mind as well. perhaps a hernia?0
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