Belly fat

As a mother of 5, and an avid country foods consumer (luv my gravies), I was not suprised when my belly looked like I swallowed a beach ball. I have been exercising rigorously, gave up my gravy and pepsi and I swear my belly is larger.

My legs, arms and even my back are obviously thinner, but out hangs my belly. Anyone have any suggestions? Sit ups are not working.

Pleeeeezzzzz help me!

How's your fitness level? Have you noticed any changes in how much effort it takes to do things.  Do you feel bloated? 

People lose weight differently. Like you, I lose weight everywehere else first; the belly is the last place where I lose. You just have to be patient, eventually it'll go away. Cardio has really helped to shrink my belly. Do you do much cardio? I jog a lot.

I agree with #2. For me the hardest thing is to reduce my arms and thighs and I do put some extra effort there. Unfortunately, one can't really choose where to reduce, your body will get rid of the fat it doesn't need so, don't think what you're doing is worthless.

fortunately i lose weight on my stomach pretty quickly, but then not-alarmingly, put on weight there the fastest too. I havent been to the gym in the last four days due to injury and was appalled when confronted by nieghbour who asked me sheepishly if I was pregnant (when I wasnt)...

needless to say, 'feeling' of injury pain has reduced in intensity after this remark, and am back to the gym today :)

[Sometimes one needs a real image-related jolt from a perfect stranger to get cracking ;)]

Most of my weight is located above my waist - shoulders, chest, BELLY!! needless to say, I know I look pregnant.

Jogging/power walking is my main source of exercise right now, but I have started a sit up/push up routine.

I just started this diet/exercise routine, so any tips for top heavy women would be appreciated. (especially where to get a good sports bra!!)

I got my super heavy duty sports bra at Kohls (not sure if you have one near you) and I LOVE IT! It has heavy duty underwire and they are now graded on their level. I got the highest level so that I wouldn't have to worry about bouncing around, I too am a busty woman.

I've been working with a trainer and here is the program she put me on. I'm a little different because I have arthritis in my knees so I can't do any high impact activity.

So:  30 minutes of strength training 3 x week. We started doing barbells, plates, resistance bands and lots of work on the exercise ball but through the past two months we have worked up to using the weight machines in the general area and it makes me feel great to be holding my own with everyone else.

I also do cardio 4 x week but I break it down 3 ways. 2 days of 45 min moderate cardio at my mid range heart rate (I use a heart rate monitor), 1 day of 30 min intense cardio at high range and 1 day of 1 hour light cardio at the bottom range.

I didn't start out doing that though as when I first started I could only do about 7 minutes on the elliptical and spent most of my time on a stationary bike. I am proud to say now that I did my moderate cardio of 45 minutes all on the elliptical today. That's the first time!

Work at your own pace and you'll defilitey see improvement. The small milestones feel great!