For all of you with awesome, flat stomachs... (and everyone

marchegt
marchegt Posts: 156 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Hi all!

I have been a MFP member for a few years now, and I love it. I stopped logging a few months ago, stopped working out, stopped eating as well as I had been (all this after reaching my goal weight, well, UNDER my goal weight at 124lbs last June). I stopped because I entered Teacher's College, got stressed out, blah blah blah who cares right?

Anyway, back in June I kicked processed foods for about a month- my diet consisted of chicken, fish, veggies, BROWN rice, nuts, beans, fruit, almond butter and almond milk, rye bread and occasionally rye crackers, protein powder... No white bread, no pasta, no chips, no granola bars, no sugar (other than fruit), no red meat, blah blah blah again. I also exercised every single day, either on the elliptical, running outside, strength training or doing JM 30DS. I could do this because I was jobless!

That month, I lost my belly fat. Like gone. My abs existed! Now for those of you with wicked rock hard abs, mine did not look like yours, but they were better than they have ever been (my picture is from mid-june last year). I have always had issues with stomach fat, I am just someone who carries my fat there.

So while being in school, I have decided to start my great eating habits again, and I am trying to get back into a routine (been eating WAY healthy for about 3 weeks- same diet as above). The truth is, I can't work out every day and I can't be as strict with my diet, I need to allow myself some pasta or some chocolate every now and then or I will binge (as I may have done on Saturday night!lol)

I know you can't choose to burn fat off your stomach, so if that is what you are going to say don't worry, I am aware :) I am just wondering, for those of you with awesome abs, what's your trick? What is your eating and workout routine? Do any of you find that the stomach is where you carry your fat? Even when I was little people used to tell me I looked like a pregnant 5 year old. It would make me incredibly sad to know the only way I can look the way I did last summer is with a seriously restricted diet and over an hour of exercise every single day (there is just no time)!

Any advice, words of comfort, workout routines?

Oh, about me :)
I am 24 (recently... and I feel old!)
I weigh about 130lbs
I am in Teacher's College (and have an interview coming up! very stressful!)
I am a giant ball of stress (in my boyfriends words! lol... everything worries me or makes me anxious or makes me feel like I need to work 10x harder to be prepared)

Thanks all :)

Replies

  • marchegt
    marchegt Posts: 156 Member
    Anyone?
  • smbirth
    smbirth Posts: 10 Member
    No advice, as I too carry ALL of my excess weight in my belly. About 25 pounds worth. It is awful. And I love, love carbs. ARGHHH Just getting back to MFP. I am 5'5", 150 pounds. Skinny arms and legs and a belly!!! A true apple shape.

    I will be watching this thread. I hope we get some responses.
  • marchegt
    marchegt Posts: 156 Member
    Hey smbirth! Thanks for the response at least :) I was about the same as you when I started!! 155lbs, 5'6... belllllyyyfatttt. And I looooooove carbs and I've found the only way to reduce my belly fat has been working out EVERY day and cutting out all those delicious carbs (except for brown rice). How boring!!

    just looking to see how others battle the belly bulge! Feel free to add me as a friend :)
  • luvmypwds
    luvmypwds Posts: 81
    I have a flat belly and no belly fat, but that's only b/c I carry very little fat. I'm 5'8" and 112.5 pounds. But I've always been pretty small, and no I am not anorexic or anything like that. My parents are both very skinny so part of it is genetics. But what has been keeping my abs firm and toned (as opposed to just skinny and flabby) is pilates. I do an hour about 5 times a week.
  • MeowserKitty
    MeowserKitty Posts: 185
    I'm with ya 5'5 and 115 lbs, still a little pooch. Meh. But ya know what, I figure, with my lifestyle, I'm gonna have that little pooch, because being a crazy exerciser and eater is not something I could maintain
  • mes1119
    mes1119 Posts: 1,082 Member
    I have the same problem. I do know stress plays a large role in weight gain, ESPECIALLY along the midsection due to hormones and such. Maybe try yoga or hiking (the outdoors makes me feel at ease) to reduce your stress.

    I'm not at my goal weight yet, but when I was a few years ago, I only had abs because I was probably way lighter than I should have been. Some bodies pack weight in different areas. I personally hold all of mine in my shoulders, back and stomach so I feel your pain.

    I think limiting starchy carbs helps with belly fat for a lot of people. As well as limiting alcohol (oh no! :laugh: ).
  • ahinski
    ahinski Posts: 200 Member
    I know you said you can't workout every day, but if you could just find a half hour or so 5 days a week, giving "Chalene Extreme" a try might be a good option.

    However, a thin waistline starts in the kitchen. You can be obese and have a six pack...but no one will know it if it's hiding behind fat from eating too much. That's why I think Chalene Extreme might be good for you. Sounds like you have a pretty good handle on how to eat properly (and also treat yourself from time to time), but need a workout program that won't take too much time. Check it out on TeamBeachBody.com

    I never actually did Chalene Extreme, but I'm doing P90X and my roommate is doing Chalene Extreme. They seem very similar but CL takes up less time..

    Good luck at Teacher's College! I was there in November for a workshop. I completed Turbo Fire (also by Chalene Johnson) while doing my student teaching with first graders. It was hard to find the time for the workouts and I had to skip sometimes, but it was a GREAT stress reliever.
  • akiramezu
    akiramezu Posts: 278
    Abs and Flat stomach = great diet and thats all it is
    not a billion situps and crunches.
    If you eat healthy, lean meats and vegetables and fruits.
    No soft drinks, junk food etc, you can retain a flat stomach and great abs. =]
  • SergeantSunshine_reused
    SergeantSunshine_reused Posts: 5,382 Member
    Just need a consistent calorie deficit. I have a flat stomach and my abs are wanting to peek through any time now. I eat plenty, some healthy and some junk, and do compound lifts at the gym.
  • marchegt
    marchegt Posts: 156 Member
    I have the same problem. I do know stress plays a large role in weight gain, ESPECIALLY along the midsection due to hormones and such. Maybe try yoga or hiking (the outdoors makes me feel at ease) to reduce your stress.

    I'm not at my goal weight yet, but when I was a few years ago, I only had abs because I was probably way lighter than I should have been. Some bodies pack weight in different areas. I personally hold all of mine in my shoulders, back and stomach so I feel your pain.

    I think limiting starchy carbs helps with belly fat for a lot of people. As well as limiting alcohol (oh no! :laugh: ).

    I didn`t know stress played a role especially in the mid section!! Yoga sounds great, and I do find that when it is nice out and I can run outdoors I feel much better, cannot wait for Spring weather!! Thanks for your input :)
  • Mdin1029
    Mdin1029 Posts: 456 Member
    I'm in a similar place as you. I agree with the person who said yoga. Plank poses work out abs but more importantly stress is relieved by this, which is especially important for us teachers :). I just started this week and am really enjoying it.
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