Tell me how to lose my fat belly.

[momophile]

Besides laying off the M&Ms...

Seriously, what should I do? Crunches, situps, yoga - what?

[pitohui]

1. are you otherwise at your correct weight?

then if you are a candidate for liposuction, that's the way to go

exercise will develop muscle which does not make for a particularly flat belly

maybe i shouldn't reveal this, but corseting works too -- it's why women were shaped differently in times gone by -- but i don't know if it will work if you didn't start pretty young

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

3. Yes, because plastic surgery is clearly the way to go over

proper diet and exercise. For someone so concerned over other people's health constantly, you should really look at the complications that can arise from liposuction. That's some dangerous advice there.

:eyes:

[bicentennial_baby]

5. Jeebus, don't kill the woman!

:P

C'mon man, I'm *so* into corseting....It's soooooo 19th century :D

[WhollyHeretic]

12. A little internal organ damage is a small price to pay

:D

[LostinVA]

86. Smooshed innards are the new Atkins

[philosophie_en_rose]

123. It depends what the "fat" really is.

If it's real fat, then exercise and diet are the way to go. It would be hard work, but would pay off eventually.

But if it's really loose skin, there's no help for that but surgery. I have a cousin that had extremely loose belly skin after having twins. I don't think it bothers her that much, but no amount of crunches will shrink that skin.

[momophile]

4. according to the charts online, I am in the okay range

but yours is good advice to remember - I don't want too much muscle either

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

11. You are a woman. You will *not* add too much muscle.

It's a shame that so many women are scared of weight-training because they don't want to get too muscular. Genetically, almost no women can build what they would consider "too much muscle."

And liposuction is really shitty advice, along with not recommending exercise.

This is a really good website on women's exercise.

http://stumptuous.com/cms/index.php

[momophile]

16. thanks for the webpage

it even has a spot for lower back pain and exercise, which is what I would need.
:hi:

[pitohui]

32. i weight train

however we're not being honest with the lady if we pretend that exercise trims the waist if she's already at her correct weight for her size -- many women have a tiny pot (or else what they feel are fatty thighs) even if they are underweight which i hope even haruka can agree underweight is a threat to women's health

i don't think i'm going to apologize for giving her credit for having enough intelligence that she has already heard of diet and exercise and telling her the honest truth

i have a 26 inch weight and i suspect i'm twice your age so i probably know a bit whereof i speak

having a tiny waist is rarely something that happens naturally, we are kidding ourselves if we believe that women naturally look like those ladies in the comic books

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

36. Knowing that diet & exercise is the answer and following through are

two different things. And it's amazing how many people are fairly clueless about diet and exercise.

It's insanely irresponsible to suggest dangerous surgery or corsetting, in lieu of exercise. Just because you're middle-aged and claim to have a tiny waist, doesn't make it right for you to dispense dangerous advice.

[pitohui]

43. see post 41 but here's a summary just for you

so very well tell her to eat less and exercise more, it won't do any good, but a billion other people have already told her the same thing and the nail that sticks up gets hammered down...so don't be the nail that sticks up!

i guess if only original information and genuine personal experience was posted, the internet would be a much smaller place

my experience was real, it was genuine, and it was original

the other experiences on this thread are mostly parroted bits of nonsense, the media has been telling women to stop eating for 40 years and it has managed to kill plenty of them with that advice in that time, but it still won't spot reduce the chubby belly of a woman who is already at her correct weight!

my advice is nowhere near as harmful as the advice given, several times in this thread, for a normal weight woman to eat less

[bicentennial_baby]

48. No one's telling her to stop eating!

Just to eat differently, and in control...Big f'n difference...She's the one who mentioned the M&Ms y'know...And I don't see any bad advice here, other than yours...Surgery and ugh, corseting are *not* her only possible successful options. Just b/c something *may* have worked for you does not mean it's a good idea for anyone else...

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

50. Please kindly point out where I told her to eat less.

I told her to clean up her diet. She should cut out the crap, but certainly not starve herself. Hell, with an active lifestyle she could eat more calories than she can consume now and not gain weight. Those calories should just come from nutritious foods, such as lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, etc. She'd be more satiated overall, because you get more volume of food for the calories.

I would never advocate starvation diets, because those sabotage your metabolism permanently.

[LostinVA]

88. And, as haruka knows from her martial arts activities and boating,

You have to eat to be healthy... you have to EAT to lose weight. You have to eat to be active. You just have to eat correctly and decently clean.

[LostinVA]

89. "even Haruka" -- bwaah

[lildreamer316]

58. Thanks, haruka...

the site looks helpful.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

70. you are exactly right.

my weightlifting coach told the women the exact same thing you said. even mentioning that it was contrary to everything they thought about what weights would do to them - like "bulk" them up. which it won't.

in fact, he told them the best exercise for girls is the squat. it works virtually every muscle group at the same time. cuts into the legs, the butt, shoulders, arms, abs, back. all of it gets cut.

[LostinVA]

90. Squats are great

Try to use a squat cage or even a squat machine in lieu of a Smith Machine. The Smith Machine can mess up your back because you usually can't keep proper form.

I do rather heavy lower body weight training for my running, and it certainly hasn't "bulked me up" -- it's done the opposite.

Good for your coach!!!

[idgiehkt]

122. yeah, I get this attitude from women still

It's completely retarded and it just drives me nuts, and then you try to explain about testosterone and they look at you like they don't believe you. Any exercise that works your glutes, quads and hamstrings and builds them up will help you lose weight because those are the largest muscles in the body. I much prefer lunges to squats just because they are alot more fun and don't use weights (I don't) but I am short so I don't like too much muscle on my legs, or I should say too much bulk. As someone above mentioned I haven't had any success with the Smith machine, don't see the point in it at all, or hack squats which just kill my knees for some reason. I don't really think a woman needs much in the way of weights except a couple sets of dumbbells to be fit, you don't need to belong to a gym.

[LostinVA]

87. Totally listen to Haruka -- this drives me bonkers

Unless you start taking 'roids, you WILL NOT BULK UP!!! Weight training is ESSENTIAL for women's skeletal health -- you'll appreciate it as you age.

Run from any "trainer" telling you this, or urging you to use those little pink and purple plastic weights. OMG.

[bigwillq]

9. Lipo is not the way to go.

Surgery should only be done as a last resort, imo. There are too many complications to just throw yourself on the table to take rid of a little flab.

Exercise, diet, exercise, portion control are all better alternatives to surgery, imo.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

14. Corsetting? This is your sick idea of a joke, right?

Yay, internal damage!

[bigwillq]

19. Oh my

I think someone took a funny pill tonight.

:crazy:

Corset????? :eyes:

[pitohui]

35. no but it probably isn't something you should try at home

to be honest i almost posted without that crucial piece of information but what the hell


maybe accepting the fact that most women have a roll is the way to go, but in case it isn't -- yeah it has worked for a few of us out here

nature intended women to have a belly, if she's really miserable about it, she probably doesn't have 5 hours a day to spend being "trained" a la uma thurman

[LostinVA]

91. Nobody's told her to train five hours a day

I suggested three days a week for 50 minutes.

And, people aren't supposed to have a "roll." Belly fat is not healthy. Fat and a natural loosening from aging aren't the same thing. I certainly don't have abs like Pink, but I don't have a "roll," either. Of course, if I keep on eating Halloween candy mini Snickers, I probably will.

[WhollyHeretic]

20. I cannot believe I actually read that

:crazy:

Maybe suggestions of foot-binding will be next.

[pitohui]

44. i took the road less traveled and it made all the difference

the definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing and expecting a different result

diet/exercise has been prescribed for 40 years and women overall are getting fatter!

did it ever occur to anyone that she posted the question because she actually wanted to hear something besides the same tired old cant?

[bigwillq]

51. Yeah, but a corset?

:eyes:

:shrug:

[lildreamer316]

68. Bigwillg..

corseting, or waist training as it is mostly called in modern times, is carefully done and something that is learned.....also the key point; it is voluntarily undertaken by women, and men, who educate themselves to the risks and rewards. Sometimes (with apologies to the above poster) it is part of a fetish.
There is not nearly as much risk today to one's internal organs, because it is something that is not hastily done or a societal norm/expectation.
The body wraps that are becoming so common sort of accomplish the same thing, you just don't wear them around all day,and the effects don't last nearly as long.
You can also relate it to those native tribal customs of piercing and lengthening of necks, tongues and earlobes...the good thing here is that it is totally and completely up to the person doing the corseting.
I understand your concerns...but ultimately, you have to expect the OP to rely on her own good judgment and what is comfortable for her. I'm confident she'll find a way that works for her in good time.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

52. And in those 40 years, Americans have become less active and consume

more calories on average, even though they've been taught the importance of proper diet & exercise.

That's why Americans are getting fatter. It's not diet & exercise; it's the lack of diet and exercise.

[bigwillq]

56. And because less people are wearing corsets...

so we look fatter too! :)

[SlavesandBulldozers]

71. i think she should try bloodletting, personally.

it takes the demons out of her blood that cause the phantoms in her stomach to swell. it's all very complicated but if we get her on a good bleeding regimen now she'll be looking fine in that bikini by next summer.

There, now we've both armed her with some updated material.

[LostinVA]

92. Agreed -- her humors are messed up

I have some leeches she can borrow. "Vlad" can suck the most blood.

I would suggest cupping, but "Vanity Fair" says that's out this year, so...

[LostinVA]

85. Jeebus

Because corseting and often dangerous surgery is way better than cutting down on sugar and exercising three times a week.

[qnr]

2. Only eat green M&Ms and other foods. Green foods have no calories

:hi:

[momophile]

7. this is an answer I can live with

oh, and thanks for kicking my thread earlier - I noticed!

:hi:

[mark414]

6. sit ups

lots and lots of sit ups

but don't just do the standard up down up down up down

do sit ups where you lean to the left, lean to the right, hold weights in your hands while doing sit ups, work all those damn muscles

[momophile]

10. will they hurt my back?

:shrug:

[LostinVA]

93. Doesn't work -- she can't spot reduce

She has to do cardio in conjunction with abs/core work. And, lots and lots of situps don't work any better than some ab stuff done correctly.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

8. You can't spot-reduce.

Fat comes off in sheets, not clumps. There's no way to specifically lose fat from one area of your body.

However, the best way to lose weight is to eat a clean diet, and do both cardio and weight-training.

Cardio will burn calories immediately, but doesn't effectively raise your metabolism over the long-term. Lifting weights will add muscle, which burns more calories at rest than fat does, so your metabolism will be elevated even at rest.

Don't pay attention to the scale, pay attention to how things fit. You can be burning fat and putting on muscle, and actually gain a little bit of weight. Meanwhile, your clothes will be getting looser.

[NewWaveChick1981]

15. Listen to haruka. She knows what she's talking about.

:D :hi: Exercise (including weight training and cardio) has helped me more than anything else (except, of course, eating right!). I'm still working on myself, but I'm physically stronger and healthier than I've ever been. :) Quick fixes and "spot reduction" don't work, and they can even make things worse. Oh, and I have some muscle definition in my arms and shoulders, but you'd never know by looking at me that I am as strong as I am.

Most people are looking for a magic bullet, but it doesn't exist. If you want a good start, though, try either Weight Watchers or South Beach Diet for weight control and step up the exercise. Start with something as simple as walking for 30 minutes three to four times a week and work up from there. :) And Pilates has some excellent abdominal moves.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

18. Yeah, Pilates is really good. I had to take it in college.

It would totally kick my ass.

[Evoman]

34. Really good advice haruka.

Weight lifting is so important....it not only increase metabolism, but studies have shown it reduces the effects of osteoporosis (a problem for many women) and increases bone density.

[LostinVA]

94. And, think of this re: building muscle

The more muscle you build, the more calories you;'ll burn EVEN IF YOU'RE JUST SITTING STILL! That's right, you can be watching "Lost" and be burning the little devils up...

And, DON"T pay attention to the scale. I probably weight very close now to what I did a18 months ago, but I'm way smaller where my clothing size is concerned. Muscle weighs quite a bit more than fat -- it's denser.

[Squatch]

13. You must use the "science" of the "Glycemic Advantage"

or "Glycemic Index", depending on which commercial you watch.

[dolo amber]

17. And get a Cortisol blocker

:thumbsup:

[LostinVA]

95. You laugh, but that really works

It's based on a diabetic thing. Look at the good stuff on the index: whole grains, good vegetables and fruit, etc.

[youthere]

21. No carbonated beverages, and cut back on caffeine.

[LostinVA]

96. I drink huge amounts of caffeine -- and water

[Fleshdancer]

22. water + cardio + frequent and smaller meals.

The easiest first step IMO is to increase your water intake. The second easiest step is to get moving at least 30 minutes each day. Take a walk, go for a bike ride, dance, rollerblade, etc. The 4th step which is easy for some and hard for others is to eat smaller portions 5-6 times per day. For long term effects, throw in weight lifting as well since more muscle mass means more calories burned since muscle burns more than fat.

It was said already but I want to emphasize the fact that spot reducing is a fairytale.

[Drum]

23. Walk away from it.

No seriously!

Begin with walks, then long walks, then hilly walks, then fast walks. Try to establish the habit during your walks of pulling your spine upward, realigning your torso's musculature so it's supportive (of your back muscles) and engaging your abs. Increase the duration and effort of your walks, so that you become warm and get a little sweat going...eventually you may get to where you want to throw a few books into a backpack for added resistance.

Push-ups, even if you just start with a few at a time---blasting yourself into soreness may frustrate, and make you wanna give up. Don't. During standard and variations-on pushups, the abdominal muscles must be supported, and are thus worked "for free."

Swim. Get lots of sleep. Drink lots of water and fluids. Get regular: fiber!

All of these simple things can bring you real results and well-being, which is the springboard for any more arduous training program. Starting small means results.

Good luck!

[momophile]

25. I love the idea of swimming

too bad I haven't been able to fit in my bathing suit since having a child.

water - damn, I try and try and it's never enough.

I guess I should get out and push that stroller - too bad I hate my neighborhood. Maybe tomorrow we'll load up in the car and go to a different neighborhood.

and I constantly fight the fiber thing too. I've had problems for twenty years now but I take papaya enzymes nightly to help and my cereal is packed with it.

Great ideas! Maybe I will push that stroller tomorrow...

[LostinVA]

97. Buy a bigger suit -- who cares? You shouldn't

Swimming is great exercise, and isn't weight bearing. Unfortunately, I cant' swim well enough to do laps, so I trail run -- which I love. You like to swim, which is a great start -- do something YOU LIKE.

[FooFootheSnoo]

24. I have the same problem

I lost 35 lbs. several years ago(down to 104). I did it sensibly. It took me a year to lose the weight, I worked out, ate right, etc. Anyway, I did lose a lot of flab of my stomach, but I never got a flat stomach. (I didn't do an Atkins or South Beach type diet and I have heard those are good for reducing belly flab.) Sometimes it's just genetics. In my case, I've just accepted that I'll never have a flat stomach. Keep your overall health in mind. When you start working out, enjoy how the other areas of your body are toning up as well. We "apples" tend to have great legs and butts!!

[momophile]

26. question for another apple

does your butt stick out? my back seems to have a big arch making my butt and my belly stick out more. when I look in the mirror I look wierd to me.

[FooFootheSnoo]

29. since I had my daughter it does

I used to have a really small butt, but a couple of months after she was born I was walking past a mirror and caught a side view of myself and said "holy hell, what's that big thing following me around?"LOL

My posture doesn't sound like yours. Actually, mine's kind of the opposite. I walked around hunched over for years thinking that helped cover my gut. Yoga really helped me with my posture and developed muscles I didn't even know existed. I'm sure you don't look weird!! Everyone is insecure about something, but in reality, most people don't even notice. Good luck!!

[SlavesandBulldozers]

72. you can do side bends or situps

but please don't lose that butt.

;)

[Drum]

30. sorry, not an apple, but couldn't help overhearing...

muscular imbalance---resulting in altered posture---makes this happen. In short, your lower back muscles sound like they're stronger and tighter than the "front" muscles...very common in our culture of driving and sitting too much. Stretch your back muscles (easiest after a little exercise, definitely easier after a long hot bath or shower.) and remember to be conscious of upward-pull in your posture when standing and walking. This can change things, but takes time and returning your awareness to how your body moves and operates.

Folks upthread mentioned Pilates exercises---they are wise posters. Motivating his research, Joe Pilates was keenly interested in re-establishing a proper balance in all of the "core" muscles of the torso.

For the record, though, I find a little swayback awfully cute in the meantime. ;)

[momophile]

37. I have pilates dvds somewhere around here...

guess it's time to find them...

[bicentennial_baby]

31. You need to pull your lower spine inwards

It's hard to explain, I learned it in Ballet, so many years ago...You're walking/standing sway-backed, which is causing your bum and belly to protrude. If you tuck the lower spine inwards, towards you pelvis, you will be straighter. Also, roll your shoulders up and then back, allowing the shoulder blades to settle into place naturally. Do it slow and easy, and you'll feel when it's right. Above all, take yoga...It will teach you all of these things :)

[VelmaD]

27. I lost 150 pounds...

so I'm pretty qualified to talk about this subject. Get control of your calories and ensure that you burn more calories every day than you consume. I lost the weight by cutting back on calories consumed, changing my diet to eat more lean meats and veggies...but still less overall calories, and exercising 4 times a week for at least 45 minutes.

Start small though. I made little changes to my lifestyle and diet one at a time so I never overwhelmed myself. You can do it. :)

[dpbrown]

28. Best way to flatten is to start walking

Walk five miles a day and you'll get rid of all the subcutaneous fat that leads to fat belly.

[Evoman]

33. The only ways to lose fat are

1)Eating less

2)Excercising a lot

3)Surgery.

Crunches and situps wont help you much..unless your supplementing them with high-intensity cardio/fat losing excercise. You will just add muscle under the fat...it doesn't hurt to do that. I mean, it helps your posture, your flexibility and your strength. But if you want to see abs, or have a flat tummy, you gotta burn off more calories than you take in. Hard I know....but its really the only way.

And don't worry about getting bulky. My gf works out quite a lot and she NEVER has looked bulky or muscular. I don't know why so many women are so afraid of weight training...it increases your strength, and makes you look lean and good. Unless your a genetic freak, you never have to worry about becoming one of those muscle mag chicks. The best looking girls at the gym are the one who weight train, with no exceptions. Muscle also increases your metabolism, making weight loss easier. Studies have also shown it to decrease the risks of osteoporosis and increases bone density. You can't lose!


on edit: Doh..I should read the whole thread before I post. Many people said the same thing I did!

[pitohui]

41. but she isn't overweight

we established upthread that she ISN'T overweight, it's a spot problem

this is how many go down the path to anorexia, because women are meant to have a little padding on their tummies and/or thighs and if they keep eating less even when they're at normal weight because they hate their thighs/tummies they end up severely underweight

there is a lot of awful terrible advice on this thread

the most sensible thing is, if she's at the right weight, to accept herself and get the right undergarments

if she can't accept herself, the most practical thing is liposuction

i do not know if corseting works on someone who has already had a child, its main advantage is that it's cheap and lends itself to all sorts of kinky sidelines and it CAN work for some women

eating less -- a total waste of time and energy if she's already at her correct weight and can even be harmful!

oh well, it's hell being the lone voice of experience in a world that wants to hear only received wisdom

so very well tell her to eat less and exercise more, it won't do any good, but a billion other people have already told her the same thing and the nail that sticks up gets hammered down...so don't be the nail that sticks up!

i guess if only original information and genuine personal experience was posted, the internet would be a much smaller place

[Evoman]

46. Yeah, I realized that

I didn't read the whole thread...stupid me, lol. But still, if she wants to lose belly fat, my post still stands. If she followed my advice, she would gain weight anyways....working out builds muscle.

On edit: No need to get snarky...I take my own advice, thank you very much. Building muscle can only help...like I said, there are many advantages to weight training. And there is nothing wrong with improving yourself..if I had taken the "be yourself, accept yourself" advice that people gave me when I was 6 ft and 150, I would never have gone to the gym and improved myself. I owe a lot of my success to improving my appearance. You can't improve your self-esteem or your life by just "being yourself" anyways.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

47. A healthy diet and exercise are not dangerous.

Very few people develop eating disorders or exercise bulimia, as a result of it.

Even if she's within the proper weight range on the charts, there is nothing wrong with consuming a healthier diet and getting proper exercise, which she will lose some fat (and put on some muscle) doing.

If you think that recommending dangerous surgery and corsetting over proper health is being the lone voice of wisdom & experience, then you seriously need to get your head checked out.

While you're doing that, check out these links...

http://www.healthandage.com/html/articles/3003.html
http://www.waspcreations.com/faq.htm

[bicentennial_baby]

49. That 2nd link scares me...

19"...17" waists?! :wtf:

:scared:

[momophile]

53. it's true - I'm not overweight

and pretty much the rest of my body seems okay (okay, I also hate my thighs, but not near as much!).

My stomach is definitely bigger since having a baby - I gained a lot of weight - 40 pounds. But now a year later my stomach is still very flabby.

I appreciate all that you've said because I actually do eat pretty well and don't drink sodas or eat fast food but maybe once every few weeks. I don't exercise much, and when I try to use our ski-thingy (cross country thingy), my back hurts way too much. Sadly, I don't feel like I have the time or the money for the gym, but maybe I need to rethink that and maybe ask for that for Christmas.

I have to consider all that has been said here, but I do appreciate an honest response even if it isn't the accepted one.

:hi:

[SlavesandBulldozers]

73. you hate your thighs. oh, it's thaaaaaat old chestnut.

isn't that right up there with liking shoes and needing new moisturizers all the time? I mean, youre a girl, can't you just learn to love to hate your thighs or something?

;)

[momophile]

75. you're making a mockery of my thread!

way to go!

:hi:

[SlavesandBulldozers]

77. i am not.

that just struck a chord. it brought back great memories of my ex, who would always say stuff like that even though she was the most beautiful person I'd ever seen.

:)

[LostinVA]

101. The ski thingies are hard to use, especially if you're short

A nice, brisk walk of 40-50 minutes is way better for you.

[RetroLounge]

62. "this is how many go down the path to anorexia"

Anorexia from Diet and Exercise? :wtf:

RL

[LeftyMom]

64. Yes. If you eat well or excersise regularly, you're an anorexic.

If you promote a healthy lifestyle, you're causing young women to starve themselves to death.

She gets off on this crazy tangent all the time. :eyes:

[RetroLounge]

76. It all you Militant, Radical, Vegan's fault...

:rofl:

RL

[LeftyMom]

80. Yep and we're all anorexic

Even that one big guy. :D Really.

[LostinVA]

116. That's what soy whipped cream does to a person

[LostinVA]

103. I know

I usually ignore it, but the OP really wants good advice, and I'm afraid these posts may be confusing her.

[LostinVA]

102. Didn't you know that???

Why, I guess my healthy diet and proper exercise is leading me down the road to an eating disoredr... wtf?????? I think it's the opposite, don't you? It shows you a healthy woman has some "meat" on her bones.... or "tofu" for the noncarnies.

[calico1]

109. Oh shut up and get yourself one of these:

:rofl:

[LostinVA]

110. You're right -- I have just done a 180

I just threw out my trail runners, canceled my gym membership,a nd unearthed the Halloween candy.... now, it's off to shop online for a lip dude and a corset!

[LostinVA]

100. There's a lot of excellent, HEALTHY advice on this thread

I haven't seen ONE frigging post that was bad advice -- except for your "lipo and corset" thing.

She's isn't overweight per se, but she has a roll on her belly -- belly fat is unhealthy, and means she is not living healthy.

NONE of this advice leads to anorexia -- it's the opposite: eat healthy and enough, exercise to live longer and better, do some weights for good bone health/density, etc. Why are YOU trying to unempower her by telling her it's bad advice? WTF????

I overlook alot of your nuttierposts, but this time, you are being dangerous in your "advice."

WHO THE HELL HAS TOLD HER TOE AT LESS???? No one. We've told her to eat clean, and eat proper portions. Dieting makes you GAIN weight... we all know that, no one has told her to do that.

OF COURSE EATING PROPERLY AND EXERCISING PROPERLY WORKS. It only doesn't if you live on the Planet Corsertlipo. Jeebus.

Disingenuous much?

[LostinVA]

99. They are afraid of weight training because they are told to be

I have heard certified trainers at gyms tell women this!!! It's crazy.

The pink and purple plastic weights should be banned from use by anyone under 80.

[Floogeldy]

38. Leg raises

Whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, seeds and nuts.

;)

[momophile]

39. do exercise bikes count?

??

[Evoman]

40. If your going fast and hard, yes.

Whats important is that you get your heart rate up and your actually working hard. If its too easy, your not doing enough work. I kind of find it irritating when I see people at the gym complaining that excercies is not working and that they aren't losing weight....they are always the people who aren't sweating, and who calmly look around while they "jog" or "bike" at 1 mph.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

42. If you're keeping your heart rate in the proper range, then yes.

If you have a gym membership, take some spinning classes. Trust me, you'll get a workout.

[momophile]

45. I had to look 'spinning' up

sounds interesting.

I don't have a gym membership, hate the idea of working out with men around, but maybe it's time to see how much they cost and where they are. I have no idea the price range.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

54. The gym by me is $30/month.

They offer classes, cardio & weight machines. It's not a shiny looking gym, but the staff is good (I used to have a membership there). The men there don't bother the women at all. I honestly think it's because it's not a shiny looking gym. The people there are all there to actually work out, not look pretty.

[momophile]

57. $360 a year isn't bad...

when I consider that my husband just spent over that on a new xbox.

Do you know anything about Curves or any of the other chains? And do any of them have pools?

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

59. I don't think any of them have pools.

All I know about Curves is my mom went there for a bit and hated it, because she said the facilities weren't great and she was the only person there who wasn't totally out-of-shape.

Do you have a YMCA by you? They always have pools.

[momophile]

61. I'm surprised to see one near me!

thanks! I check them out for sure. I really like swimming but never get the opportunity.
:hi:

[momophile]

78. on good advice,

tomorrow the little one and myself are going to check out the YMCA nearest to us. then I'll compare prices with the rec center and decide from there.

both have free day care!!

[LostinVA]

107. Not Curves! Major Freepers and the "training" sucks

Ys usually have pools. Do you live near a college or university? They often let area residents join, and they usually have pools. I go to a very small local gym that has everything -- including a pool, and is never crowded. I'm also often the youngest one there!!!

The most important thing: Do NOT be intimidated, do NOT worry about people looking at you.

[LostinVA]

105. PM me about this -- I have an idea re: gym membership

[LostinVA]

106. Ignore the men -- seriously

They'll all be watching the young trainer.

[LostinVA]

104. Yes, they do!

Cardio -- just make sure you're not just taking a nice, slow pedal -- get your heart rate up, sweat. Sweat IS womanly -- it IS sexy!

[Pithlet]

119. If a gym near you offers spin classes, do it.

That is the best workout I've ever done. In fact, that reminds me, I mean to look up a spin class, myself. If you keep at it, it will whip you into shape in no time.

[youthere]

55. Take it to a busy shopping mall and turn your back for one second.

That's how I lost my purse one time, maybe it would work for your belly.

[LeftyMom]

60. Is this a tone problem or a weight problem?

My answer's going to vary a bit based on what it is you mean by "fat belly." Are you carrying extra weight on your midsection or do you want to improve your muscle tone in that area?

[momophile]

63. I'm flabby in the belly - left over from being pregnant

over a year ago. I eat okay, don't exercise enough, and really would like to focus on my belly.

I don't know that that is possible, though. Overall exercise would be a good thing.

[LeftyMom]

65. Okay, I'm not super well equipped to answer that,

since I'm still princess squishbelly and my kid's 5. :D I PM'd somebody who'll have a better answer for you though.

[momophile]

67. thanks

damn those kids!! I'm gonna remind my girl about this every day when she is a teenager. Oh, and the way she almost killed me!
:hi:

[dpbrown]

118. Here's what worked for my wife...

...after delivering a 9 pound 5 oz baby, she took up Latin Dance.

Her belly is as flat as a board. Our baby is 15 months old.

Good luck.

[begin_within]

66. Walk one hour per day. Cut the portions you eat down by 50%. Drink water.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

69. Advocating 50% portion cuts is pretty irresponsible.

You don't know what her current portion size is and cutting calories drastically results in permanently fucking up your metabolism. Hence, the problems yo-yo dieters have.

Even if she was eating TWICE as much as she needs to (which would result in a serious weight problem, not a little flab), cutting her calories in half, would still shock her body into starvation mode and would quickly lead to a plateau. Upon returning to a more normal diet, she would start gaining weight, even if the diet is still low calorie.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

74. i would say weight training and swimming.

weight training for tone and metabolism. swimming for everything, low-impact.

eat as much as you want, if you weight train and swim 3 times a week you will be so cut, and your posture will be different - even your skin will change.

the OP would be amazed at what 4 weeks of weight-training and swimming would do.

[LostinVA]

108. 50% portions? No way

[LSK]

79. calorie counting

http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm

[BrightKnight]

81. Weight training works for me.

Weight training is the only thing that works for me. I am talking about the kind of training where you are usually a bit sore and you are always getting stronger.

Lean muscle mass burns calories even when you are sleeping.

A regular cardio workout would probably work but I can't stay motivated. Weight training has real tangible results.

I always eat real food. I never buy or eat junk food. Never eat at a fast food hamburger restaurant.

Get a proper night sleep. I always gain weight when I am not getting enough sleep.

When I was working out really hard I had a couple of donuts every morning and my stomach was flat. For me that is like walking on water.

[mykpart]

82. Could you possibly manage to give birth?

[VOX]

83. No such thing as spot-reduction...ya gotta drop overall poundage.

Which will help flatten your belly.

Before you get into serious exercise, check with your doc to make sure you're good to go. Start with core exercises (crunches, etc.)for a couple of weeks to strengthen your midsection. This will help prevent injury elsewhere (especially in your back), and will allow you to draw in your abdomen in a way that you haven't been able to do in a long time.

Get out there and do it! :thumbsup:

[LostinVA]

84. Cardio and diet

You can't spot reduce/tone.

Cut down on sugar and find a cardio activity you like -- it can be anything! Running, walking, elliptical, swimming, playing racquetball, etc.

Do that activity for 50 minutes (working your way up, of course!), three times a week -- with some ab/core exercises thrown in -- and there you go.

It'll take a little bit of time, but it works.

[calico1]

98. You've gotten (mostly) good advice.

If you eat lots of sugary and refined stuff that is not good for your belly (or anything else). Also, weight training is good for you and healthy and helps you maintain bone mass as you age. But if you have belly fat you need aerobic training. Walking, running, cycling....anything you enjoy. Liposuction should be a LAST RESORT. It does not come without risks so should not be taken lightly.

A mostly healthy diet and regular exercise is GOOD for you and don't let anyone convince you that it is unhealthy. :eyes: You can be thin and have a belly or be saggy if your diet is not good and you don't exercise. Everyone, thin or not benefits from regular exercise and a good diet. Aim for 80% healthy and no more than 20% M&M's and other junk. :)

[LostinVA]

111. God, what crazy advice

I mean, it makes sense and everything... and you didn't mention anorexia ONCE.

[flvegan]

112. Wow.

You've certainly gotten your share of advice. Some good, some...um, nevermind.

From reading your posts, you're not really overweight, you just have a left over "belly" a year after your pregnancy. You eat fairly well. I'm assuming that you're in your 20's or 30's, and have no problems with your metabolism.

The statement, "you can't spot reduce" is correct...when it's fat one is trying to reduce. Yours isn't actually fat. During your 9 month pregnancy, your abdominal area took a lot of abuse. During pregnancy, the muscles in the area stretch, separate and break down, ultimately losing a good amount of their strength.

So, what to do?

Watch your diet. I'd go so far as to keep a journal of what/when you're eating.

Exercise. You still need to burn the calories. More importantly, some kind of strength/resistance training should be incorporated into your regimen. On top of that, and this is the ONLY situation in which I'd say this, you need to double up on abdominal exercises. No fancy oblique machines, just your basic type of crunch exercise. Pilates and yoga are fine, as they strengthen your "core" muscles, but I'd still specifically incorporate sit ups, leg lifts, various types of crunches, etc. Also, watch your posture and try to consciously "hold" your belly in at all times.

Lastly, this takes time. These muscles need attention over a decent period of time to put them back how they belong.

Good luck!

[Divameow77]

113. I want to remind you that

not all of your "thickness" around the middle could be fat, excess skin from being stretched out during pregnancy can make you look bulky too.

Take the good advice in this thread, eating healthy (not dieting) and exercise should really help, not too mention imrpove your overall health, but if your belly won't get perfectly flat, don't fret too much, look at what you have to show for it!

[momophile]

114. "look at what you have to show for it!"

what a beautiful thing to say! Yes, I do have a wonderful little girl along with my belly. And I'd do it all over again. But maybe I'd lay off some of the ice cream.

Thanks!:hug:

[Pithlet]

117. Thank you. I was going to mention this.

I'm in pretty good shape. I lost all my pregnancy weight, and I'm in better shape than I was before I had the babies. I just ran a 5k and came in second in my age division. I'm lean and trim everywhere except my belly. It's all the loose skin. It will never go away, no matter how much weight I lose, unless I have a tummy tuck. I think all the diet and exercise is excellent advice, but it's also important to note that some women will never have a flat belly after kids. There's nothing wrong with that. I think genetics probably plays a role, combined with the fact that most women won't look like they did before they had kids. It changes you. It can be hard to accept, and some women turn to surgery. It's not something I would choose at this point, because surgery is a big deal, especially tummy tucks, and it's a decision that shouldn't be made lightly. With cost, pain and recovery time, I doubt many people take that decision lightly.

My advice to the OP would be to do work at weight loss healthily, with exercises and a healthy diet, and when they've reached their goals, evaluate other options if they so choose. I'm not going to judge others for making a decision I wouldn't necessarily choose for myself, as long as they're making an educated choice.

[Divameow77]

120. I'm actually considering a "half" tuck

meaning a tummy tuck on a smaller scale because my stomach is not that bad just some excess skin and some light stretch marks and a tummy tuck will remove some stretch marks by removing that skin, I just wish money wasn't such an obstacle :-)

I will say this about plastic surgery - some people in this thread have made it seem as if it's the worst thing you could do, others have approached it more sensibly, but I think it all depends on you. If plastic surgery will make you feel better about yourself and if you go into it knowing all the facts and understanding them, then it's your choice and more power to you, do it for yourself then.

[Avalux]

115. I'm just gonna jump right in here (yikes) -

I read upthread you've had a baby - did you have a C-section? If you did, that could be contributing to your belly bulge (the muscles of the abdominal wall are weaker afterwards). Also, what was your tummy like before you had the baby?

I'll give you my advice and it will probably be in agreement with some others in this thread. What the scale tells you is irrelevant if you are not exercising. You may say you are normal weight, but you might still be terribly out of shape and not healthy. It is vitally important to EAT healthy foods and EXERCISE regularly. I do a combination of cardio and weight training; the cardio burns calories and gives me cardiovascular benefits and the weight training builds muscle and keeps my metabolism up (which is important since I'm 41). I do specific ab (core) exercises too. I eat well-balanced meals (keeping an eye on calories) and don't drink soda at all. I firmly believe soda is the enemy, even if it's diet.

I have always had a small waist, but after three children I've had to work at eliminating that pouch in the lower part of my abs. I've never been overweight (although I have been out of shape) and have found that my current combination of workouts has given me muscle tone and a flatter, firmer stomach.

It is possible, you just have to work at it consistently and don't expect instant results, it takes time. Don't ever resort to surgery unless you've exhausted every other option.

Good luck! :hi:

[lojasmo]

121. Eat clean, lift weights, HIIT

HIIT is "High intensity interval training"

Basically jog for two minutes, sprint for a minute. Do it three to four times a week for 20 minutes.

Don't drink alcohol, don't eat sugar. Lots of lean meats, and vegatables.

[trof]

124. OK. Here's the "secret": EAT. FEWER. CALORIES.

WORKS
EVERY
TIME

[Nikia]

125. Some of us are genetically that way

I didn't start getting thin in the stomach until I was 10% underweight. My ribs stuck out, my limbs were like toothpicks, and I had no I had no butt (you could see those bones too), but I still had fat on my stomach and it made me upset and made me want to eat even less. I had to be treated for anorexia before I came to accept that enough to eat healthy (in this case meaning enough on a regular basis). I probably would have died of it and never had a 20 inch waist.
Except when I was mildly overweight, I was always overweight according to the waist to hip ratio index. When I was at the low end of normal, I was at my worst waist to hip ratio (most apple shaped).
If that is the case, you may never have a flat stomach. You could always try exercising while not cutting calories. If you are stressed, that may also cause you to keep fat around your stomach so it would follow that relaxing more would help.