Belly Area

ErinsAvon
ErinsAvon Posts: 72 Member
edited November 10 in Health and Weight Loss
I am generally pretty happy when it comes to my body, and the journey it is on. Except for my big belly! It is the place that doesn't want to shrink. I am doing core exercises, but they do not seem to be helping. It's the whole belly area, from the bottom of my ribs to the top of my pelvis, over my hips. People probably think I look pregnant. I had a c-section with my last 2 pregnancies, and blame that for the apron flab. With all the exercising I am doing I feel like i should be seeing more results in this section of my body. On top of that I know this is the area that effects heart issues. What diet and or exercise tips can anyone recommend to me?

Replies

  • Gosser
    Gosser Posts: 178 Member
    Try giving up all wheat products for a month, if it disappears you know to avoid wheat (it is known to cause the distended stomach)
  • pa_jorg
    pa_jorg Posts: 4,404 Member
    I was once told by a trainer that if you are losing weight slowly and in a healthy manner, you will firm up from the top down and bottom up, unfortunately leaving your belly for last. Focus on your other progress and you'll soon see a difference in your midsection.
  • arealg
    arealg Posts: 9
    I'm going through the same thing..minus having children. lol I felt that no matter how hard i excercised I wasnt seeing a difference! Until I started doing Group classes at the local gym. I do pilates once a week, and a weight and abs class once a week..I've only been doing it for about 3 weeks now and finally I am seeing a difference! Don't get too discouraged. You have to be motivated and stay motivated. You can do it! Just 2-3 days a week work on your core for an hour and I promise you, it will pay off! It may take awhile to get to your ideal goal (it's taking awhile for me) but dont give up!
  • ErinsAvon
    ErinsAvon Posts: 72 Member
    I was once told by a trainer that if you are losing weight slowly and in a healthy manner, you will firm up from the top down and bottom up, unfortunately leaving your belly for last. Focus on your other progress and you'll soon see a difference in your midsection.

    I sure hope this is true. cause I have definitely lost from my upper body, and my hips. I have been taking measurement, so I know things are moving, and I am getting a lot more muscle tone.

    areaig- I added a boot camp class to my weekly routine 4 weeks ago, even though it is a full body class, it is still more core than i was doing before. i will also try adding more to what I am already doing here at home, unfortunately my budget will not allow for me to add more classes.
  • ErinsAvon
    ErinsAvon Posts: 72 Member
    Try giving up all wheat products for a month, if it disappears you know to avoid wheat (it is known to cause the distended stomach)

    I could cut back, but I doubt if I could completely cut them out. I do not seem to have any type of irregularity. I take a daily probiotic, and make sure I get enough fiber in my diet. It is something for me to think about for sure, thanks. :wink:
  • bizco
    bizco Posts: 1,949 Member
    Flat/firm abs are made in the kitchen and it will be the last place you lose the excess fat. Clean diet is most important.

    Continue with your core/ab exercises to strengthen the muscles under the fat. Once you lose the fat the little beauties will reveal themselves.
  • dinosnopro
    dinosnopro Posts: 2,177 Member
    the general rule is first on last off, as long as you are losing weight I would not wory about it it will come off it just takes time. if you are stagnant with your weight then it may be diet related and you may have to adjust your calories (unless you are allergic to wheat products)
  • Ashleysh22
    Ashleysh22 Posts: 204 Member
    the most important thing to losing belly fat is what you are eating - NOT core exercises. core exercises will develop the muscles beneath the fat but not help you get rid of the fat. General cardio is best for general fat loss. but you MUST be eating the right foods. make sure you are selecting healthy foods - lots of vegetables. and drink plenty of water to get rid of excess salt
  • annajawea
    annajawea Posts: 1
    Looking to get rid of belly area too....I had a c-section 13 months ago and just seems like belly won't go away....I've been doing 30 min cardio every day and then weights after that for about 20-30 min....also some crunches on a fitness ball but maybe need to change it up some...
  • lizard053
    lizard053 Posts: 2,344 Member
    Try to reduce your stress levels. High stress frequently can cause extra belly fat.
    Bloating from a food sensitivity can do this too. Cut out one type of food for 2 weeks. If the bloating goes down, you have an allergy or sensitivity. Keep going until you can identify them all. I can't have yeast (but fine with wheat), nor much in the way of dairy. I've only been doing it since the beginning of this year, so I still have a long way to go!
    Drink more water. This will help flush excess water weight that may be accumulating in your belly. It sounds silly, but it really works!
  • poustotah
    poustotah Posts: 1,121 Member
    I've had 4 kids. After kid 3, I lost 90 lbs and I had a nice 6 pack. The interesting thing - I never did any core-focused exercises. I at right and I focused on my form while strength training.
  • Jillk1023
    Jillk1023 Posts: 121 Member
    bump
  • KemaVA
    KemaVA Posts: 81 Member
    the general rule is first on last off, as long as you are losing weight I would not wory about it it will come off it just takes time.

    ^^THIS

    I lose weight in my stomach :bigsmile: and chest :huh: first ... :grumble: hips and thighs last .
  • kimbux
    kimbux Posts: 154 Member
    Flat/firm abs are made in the kitchen and it will be the last place you lose the excess fat. Clean diet is most important.

    Continue with your core/ab exercises to strengthen the muscles under the fat. Once you lose the fat the little beauties will reveal themselves.

    ^^^^ This is your answer ^^^^
    Abs ARE made in teh kitchen.... you can do all the crunches, etc you want but until you change your diet to eat 'clean', you will never see your abs.
  • angela828
    angela828 Posts: 498 Member
    PILATES! i did it from about November to beginning of January - big difference in my belly area! i stopped the pilates and noticed it was becoming flabby and big again so i started it up again at the beginning of February and already I notice a difference. I'm not looking for "washboard abs" or whatever but I would like a more firmer flatter belly and pilates is doing the trick (again!) can't wait to see how I'll look in a few months! pilates also helps with thighs. my thighs have gone down considerably (and i come from a family of people with BIG thighs!)
  • PJFonz
    PJFonz Posts: 41 Member
    Flat/firm abs are made in the kitchen and it will be the last place you lose the excess fat. Clean diet is most important.

    Continue with your core/ab exercises to strengthen the muscles under the fat. Once you lose the fat the little beauties will reveal themselves.

    ^^^^ This is your answer ^^^^
    Abs ARE made in teh kitchen.... you can do all the crunches, etc you want but until you change your diet to eat 'clean', you will never see your abs.


    Can you explain what you mean by "eating clean" ?
  • KimKramer
    KimKramer Posts: 44
    PILATES! i did it from about November to beginning of January - big difference in my belly area! i stopped the pilates and noticed it was becoming flabby and big again so i started it up again at the beginning of February and already I notice a difference. I'm not looking for "washboard abs" or whatever but I would like a more firmer flatter belly and pilates is doing the trick (again!) can't wait to see how I'll look in a few months! pilates also helps with thighs. my thighs have gone down considerably (and i come from a family of people with BIG thighs!)

    Do you use a Windsor Pilates dvd?!?! I am now definitely intrigued to give Pilates another go around, tried it like 10yrs ago and didnt notice much!
  • bizco
    bizco Posts: 1,949 Member
    Flat/firm abs are made in the kitchen and it will be the last place you lose the excess fat. Clean diet is most important.

    Continue with your core/ab exercises to strengthen the muscles under the fat. Once you lose the fat the little beauties will reveal themselves.

    ^^^^ This is your answer ^^^^
    Abs ARE made in teh kitchen.... you can do all the crunches, etc you want but until you change your diet to eat 'clean', you will never see your abs.


    Can you explain what you mean by "eating clean" ?
    Whole foods made from scratch. Yes, you have to cook.

    Most foods found in the perimeter of the store. Fresh produce, lean meat, fish/seafood, dairy, eggs. Avoid most foods found in the aisles.

    No prepared/processed/boxed/packaged/canned foods. There are a few exceptions, for example canned tomatoes, canned beans (black, pinto, kidney, garbanzo, etc), frozen fruit & vegetables as long as there's no sugar added; among other exceptions. Look at the ingredient list. If you don't recognize it, you can't grow it, or raise it (chickens, cows, etc.), it's not clean eating.

    And of course, avoid or severely limit all sweets/desserts, soda pop and alcohol.
  • angela828
    angela828 Posts: 498 Member
    PILATES! i did it from about November to beginning of January - big difference in my belly area! i stopped the pilates and noticed it was becoming flabby and big again so i started it up again at the beginning of February and already I notice a difference. I'm not looking for "washboard abs" or whatever but I would like a more firmer flatter belly and pilates is doing the trick (again!) can't wait to see how I'll look in a few months! pilates also helps with thighs. my thighs have gone down considerably (and i come from a family of people with BIG thighs!)

    Do you use a Windsor Pilates dvd?!?! I am now definitely intrigued to give Pilates another go around, tried it like 10yrs ago and didnt notice much!

    I do a couple crunch pilates workouts and pick your weight loss pilates on netflix instant streaming!
  • ErinsAvon
    ErinsAvon Posts: 72 Member
    Flat/firm abs are made in the kitchen and it will be the last place you lose the excess fat. Clean diet is most important.

    Continue with your core/ab exercises to strengthen the muscles under the fat. Once you lose the fat the little beauties will reveal themselves.

    Abs ARE made in teh kitchen.... you can do all the crunches, etc you want but until you change your diet to eat 'clean', you will never see your abs.


    Can you explain what you mean by "eating clean" ?
    Whole foods made from scratch. Yes, you have to cook.

    Most foods found in the perimeter of the store. Fresh produce, lean meat, fish/seafood, dairy, eggs. Avoid most foods found in the aisles.

    No prepared/processed/boxed/packaged/canned foods. There are a few exceptions, for example canned tomatoes, canned beans (black, pinto, kidney, garbanzo, etc), frozen fruit & vegetables as long as there's no sugar added; among other exceptions. Look at the ingredient list. If you don't recognize it, you can't grow it, or raise it (chickens, cows, etc.), it's not clean eating.

    And of course, avoid or severely limit all sweets/desserts, soda pop and alcohol.

    If this is true, I have for the most part been doing this aside from the wheat/ Bread items.... If I buy anything prepared it is usually very mildly prepared, like Hummus, or Yogurt I make 95% of my family's meals from scratch myself, and that is the majority of what I eat, unless there is a bagel and cream cream thrown in there.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories