We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

I can't get rid of the blob!

Posts: 894 Member
edited October 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
My number one problem area that I hate so greatly is my stomach. I was looking at some before and after pictures that I have on my phone and I am looking at my stomach. From the side I can see it is getting a little better, but from the front it looks like nothing has changed that it is still this giant blob!

I do A LOT of working out with my hips, my abs, and what not. But NOTHING seems to be helping and it is making me a little frustrated! Any ideas on what I could do? What should I work on more to get that stomach flatter. I want to go from flab to flat.

I know it won’t come over night, but I want to see results… Anything for the hips/abs/stomach/butt…ANYTHING please! :frown:

Welcome!

It looks like you're new here. Sign in or register to get started.
«1

Replies

  • Posts: 3,369 Member
    With a starting weight of 200lbs and a goal weight of 132lbs, yeah, it's not going to be obvious in the 1st 9lbs lost. The fact that you CAN see a diff is good. Remember, you are losing it from all over, not just there. You cannot spot reduce. Just keep up the hard work. It will come.

    I've topped out at 190lbs and currently at 176.5. Only with the last 4-5lbs have I've noticed any definition and a flatter stomach from the front.
  • Posts: 8,980 Member
    As long as you're in a routine where you are steadily losing fat and preserving as much muscle as possible, the belly fat will eventually budge. For most people, it's the last to budge.

    For best results, incorporate heavy strength training and keep your deficit to the smallest amount possible that still yields results.
  • Posts: 4,519 Member
    You simply have more fat to lose. Patience.
  • Posts: 2,412 Member
    True, my tummy was the last too go, still have a bit left that is stubborn, but it does go eventually. Don't give up.
  • Posts: 610 Member
    With a starting weight of 200lbs and a goal weight of 132lbs, yeah, it's not going to be obvious in the 1st 9lbs lost. The fact that you CAN see a diff is good. Remember, you are losing it from all over, not just there. You cannot spot reduce. Just keep up the hard work.

    ^^^This^^^ I started at 214 and have a goal of 134. I have 16 lbs to go and my stomach is still my problem area. It has gone way down but it isn't gone. Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred has really helped to shrink it and tone my whole body.
  • Posts: 53 Member
    According to an article I rad in a WebMD magazine today, the only way to get of subcutaneous fat (fat under the skin) was cardio, cardio, and more cardio. They divided participant into 3 groups: cardio only, strength training only, and both. The group cardio only lost the most of this type of fat which is the kind you want to lose. Hope that helps!!
  • Posts: 3,369 Member

    ^^^This^^^ I started at 214 and have a goal of 134. I have 16 lbs to go and my stomach is still my problem area. It has gone way down but it isn't gone. Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred has really helped to shrink it and tone my whole body.

    I can't totally eliminate the tummy (genetics) w/o going ultra low on the bodyfat. But I do lots of pull ups, rows etc.. to get that V thing going. Optical illusion. haha
  • Posts: 8,356 Member
    I hate to say this, but you have only lost 9 pounds. Most people can't see a substantial change until at least 20 pounds. Add to that the fact that the fat will not usually come off first where you would like it to come off. There were times in my weight loss where it would come off my face, or legs, but not my belly. Patience and perseverance is needed. When you get closer to you goal you will see more is gone.
  • Posts: 4,519 Member
    According to an article I rad in a WebMD magazine today, the only way to get of subcutaneous fat (fat under the skin) was cardio, cardio, and more cardio. They divided participant into 3 groups: cardio only, strength training only, and both. The group cardio only lost the most of this type of fat which is the kind you want to lose. Hope that helps!!

    I got lean without cardio. Go figure.
  • Posts: 260 Member
    Off topic..but I love your manatee ticker!
  • Posts: 894 Member
    I know I have only lost 9 pounds and I have a lot more to go.
    I was just looking for some pointers on some exercise that could focus on these areas.
    I have been losing inches, that I can see, but like I said I can only see it in profile pictures not frontal pictures.

    I am just overly self conscious and I want to feel attractive and I know these areas are not making me feel it.
    I guess I will just keep doing what I am doing and eventually it will drop off..
  • Posts: 894 Member
    Off topic..but I love your manatee ticker!

    :heart:
  • Posts: 563 Member
    Also, I guess you're naturally an 'apple' shaped body? (i.e. tend to gain weigh around the middle, thin arms and legs?). So enjoy and celebrate your good bits! :smile:

    I've never had good legs, no matter how thin I've been (I'm an hourglass shape, so folks are jealous of my waist, but I get fat arms and legs). Everyone has good and not to good bits - focus on the good and the changes you have made and just keep going!
  • Posts: 1,134 Member
    As said above for most people the tummy pooch is the last to go. It's the area the body prefers to store fat. I am struggling with losing that last bit of belly fat!

    I thought I'd share this video it's pretty funny>>>

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a2DQC-ghio

    Patience, persistence and consistency conquer all things!
  • Posts: 3,369 Member
    I know I have only lost 9 pounds and I have a lot more to go.
    I was just looking for some pointers on some exercise that could focus on these areas.
    I have been losing inches, that I can see, but like I said I can only see it in profile pictures not frontal pictures.

    I am just overly self conscious and I want to feel attractive and I know these areas are not making me feel it.
    I guess I will just keep doing what I am doing and eventually it will drop off..

    You cannot spot reduce. Just keep plugging along. Do you weight train? If not, consider it.
  • Posts: 79 Member
    I have lost, since 2007, a total of 64 pounds and am trying to take off the last 6 to get to my goal weight. I still have a darn tummy (although it is now much smaller than my chest, rather than the other way around!) and am starting to come to the conclusion that I always will. I work out all the time and try to do waistline whittling stuff, but I am thinking it might be a combo of being a woman/mother and being in mid-life at this point. All I know is my stomach area, and under my arms, are the hardest to tighten up and I have become accepting of that.
  • Posts: 3,369 Member
    I have lost, since 2007, a total of 64 pounds and am trying to take off the last 6 to get to my goal weight. I still have a darn tummy (although it is now much smaller than my chest, rather than the other way around!) and am starting to come to the conclusion that I always will. I work out all the time and try to do waistline whittling stuff, but I am thinking it might be a combo of being a woman/mother and being in mid-life at this point. All I know is my stomach area, and under my arms, are the hardest to tighten up and I have become accepting of that.

    Same here as a guy. But dammit, I've seen some results and I'm going to have abs at least ONCE in my life! Dammit! haha
  • Posts: 894 Member
    Also, I guess you're naturally an 'apple' shaped body? (i.e. tend to gain weigh around the middle, thin arms and legs?). So enjoy and celebrate your good bits! :smile:

    I am pear, and I hate it so much.
    You cannot spot reduce. Just keep plugging along. Do you weight train? If not, consider it.

    I know you can't spot reduce, I was just wondering what some good exercises would be for it. I can only weight train when I get to the gym. I do do the 30day shred with Jillian, but it is not intense with weight as I can get with the gym. Any tips for weight lifting at the gym for this?
  • Try swimming. That's a great way to get more toned.
  • Posts: 203
    Off topic..but I love your manatee ticker!

    Ha! Me too. A Veggie Tales song started playing in my head when I saw it.
  • Posts: 894 Member

    Ha! Me too. A Veggie Tales song started playing in my head when I saw it.

    I am a big fan of the Manatee. They are big and beautiful :smile: They got the blob going on too :laugh:
  • Posts: 3,369 Member

    I am pear, and I hate it so much.

    I know you can't spot reduce, I was just wondering what some good exercises would be for it. I can only weight train when I get to the gym. I do do the 30day shred with Jillian, but it is not intense with weight as I can get with the gym. Any tips for weight lifting at the gym for this?

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/387914-new-rules-of-lifting-for-women?hl=new+rules#posts-5320018
  • Posts: 2,395 Member
    I hate to say this, but you have only lost 9 pounds. Most people can't see a substantial change until at least 20 pounds. Add to that the fact that the fat will not usually come off first where you would like it to come off. There were times in my weight loss where it would come off my face, or legs, but not my belly. Patience and perseverance is needed. When you get closer to you goal you will see more is gone.

    Rather than focus on what she has lost...wy not give input on specific exercises...that is what she's asking.
  • Posts: 894 Member

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/387914-new-rules-of-lifting-for-women?hl=new+rules#posts-5320018

    thanks
  • Posts: 1,134 Member
    I think the best ab exercises are planks and generally remembering to tighten your core as you do other exercises. I've started wearing a bright bracelet and when I see it, it reminds me to think about my posture and pull in my gut.
  • Posts: 894 Member

    Rather than focus on what she has lost...wy not give input on specific exercises...that is what she's asking.

    Thank you so much for the support BigDaddy
  • Posts: 894 Member
    I think the best ab exercises are planks and generally remembering to tighten your core as you do other exercises. I've started wearing a bright bracelet and when I see it, it reminds me to think about my posture and pull in my gut.

    I have recently started doing planks, they are hella hard! But thanks for your word for this! I will try to do them more now! Thank you!
  • Posts: 246 Member
    If you know you can't spot reduce then why are you looking for exercises to spot reduce? I'm confused.

    All I have to say is, it takes patience and discipline. For me, my stomach fat has been the last thing to disappear.

    In fact, in order of what I lost it went like this...fingers (yeah..I had fat fingers), face & chin, thighs and butt, lastly stomach. (I never had arm or back fat)

    Just stick with it, eat healthy, and do lots of cardio and weight training. You can get there but it may take some time.
  • Posts: 724 Member


    I thought I'd share this video it's pretty funny>>>

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a2DQC-ghio

    Patience, persistence and consistency conquer all things!
    That is very good! :laugh:
  • Posts: 894 Member
    If you know you can't spot reduce then why are you looking for exercises to spot reduce? I'm confused.

    I am not looking to spot reduce.
    I am just looking for exercises that can help with that area that I might be missing in my normal workouts. I do nearly two hours of workouts a day and I want a little more help on that section. That is all I want
This discussion has been closed.