Belly Woes

I look like an old man who spent his life drinking in a Pub. Difference is I'm a 40 young woman who keeps being asked if I'm pregnant. What a faux pas!

The problem is that I pack it on in my middle and while I realize this is THE worst place and THE hardest to diminish, does anyone have any great tips to speed up the process? Foods to avoid, excercises to do... anything, I'm quite embarrassed.

Deirdre.

dont be embarassed! its definitely a trouble spot and you have realized it which is the first step. I too have problems in that area... however, i am often told i am exagerating. First off fat is burned by hard work... so lets buckle down....
cardio--- imperative to weight loss regardless of where it is.... look to push yourself thruogh walking or running or eliptical or whatever...

weights-- you must do crunches... must! i am the worst at those... so I cant recommend too many- but i will say maybe chking out self.com for some ideas... they really are great.

also i would say its a good idea to evaluate your diet.... my first month of diet log appalled me... i was eating over 2000 calories a day and wondering why i wasnt losing weight... the only way we get bigger is through what we put in our mouths!!! its a good mantra to have!

I totally understand you , I think i look like a potatoe with 4 sticks sticking out lol. I pack it all on the belly. I think for me crunches and working on the stability worked great also, cut down on sugar and carbs it goes all to the belly. good luck though!

Has anyone tried an ab lounge? I know the price has come down quite a bit and they have pretty positive reviews on epinions.

I was thinking of investing in one mostly for my husbands sake. He broke two vertebra in his back and couple of years ago and although his doctor wants him to stay strong in the core area he managed to gain 70 pounds (but has since taken off 20!) Anyway, I thought that might be easier on him especially because of not having to get down on the floor. He has to do crunches and hates them because it hurts his back to be on the floor.

anyway, thought I'd see if anyone has tried one and your thoughts?

I purchased an Ab Lounge and I love it. It is comfortable to lay on and you can really feel it working. I should actually use it more! It's much better than laying on the floor. I turn to the side to get a good oblique workout. After a few months, the handles move and get squeaky, kind of annoying.

I'd recommend the Ab Lounge to everyone!

Thanks for the tips. Actually, 2 nights ago I worked really hard at stomach crunchs. I mean truly focusing on doing them the right way (because there are so many wrong ways) and I have finally found muscle pain in that area. This is a great step in the right direction --I hope.

I looked into buying the Ab Lounger too but I'd probably do more lounging in it than using it for its intended purpose ---it's quite comfortable you know.

I got the visual on the *Potatoe with 4 sticks... sad but very funny comment. Thanks.

OH no I am sure you don't look like that! I was referring to myself. I love to laugh at myself sometimes its either that or cry in front of a bowl of spaghetti. It sucks though, I have been asked if I were pregnant so many times I just say hmm Maybe... BUt like I said u can do it and I am happy that u felt ur abs with the crunches try them on a stability ball it BURNS!

I'm also 39 with the same belly woes. Just last month I was at the gym, feeling pretty good about myself (not typical for me), and having a great workout. This man approached me and said,"When?" pointing to his own belly. I was stunned. He asked again,"When is your baby due?" Never been pregnant, never will be. It deflated my fragile ego in less than a second.

I'm in great cardio shape, doing my first half marathon this Sunday. I lift weights about 3 days a week as well. Obviously, my problem is food. I'm a junk food junkie, and I'm paying the price in my midsection. I'm hoping this site and support can help us all get passed the belly bulges.

Reese.

Hi ladies (and gents, too!). This site was recomended to me by a friend that works in my office and it is amazing! There is one thing that I would like to make mention regarding the ladies with 'the midsection woes'. I don't want to be a pessimist, but being in the nursing profession I feel it is my duty to mention this. Ovarian cancer is often a silent and underdiagnosed disease. If you have noticed an increasing belly size, even with proper exercise and weight training, please have a check-up. (Good thing to do before starting a workout routine anyway). Often times the only 'symptom' is a distended belly.

Someone recently recommended weight training for losing belly fat....does anyone have experience? I work out with a Masters swim club 3-4 times a week 1-2 hours each time, and the swimming does an excellent abdominal workout, but the tummy fat is not moving as fast as I had hoped. Is this the last place I will lose unwanted weight??? (I AM getting fantastic shoulders, though).

Crunches, Crunches, Crunches. I work with a trainer who has this awesome, yet unbelievable abdominal workout she calls "illegal abs." It's one ab workout after another...about an hour long. Since doing these abs, my belly is flatter. It's my hips that have the issue. That's another story for another time =)

Hello,
Who ever wrote about "Illegal Ab" : could you explain or describe this regiment you are talking about ? I would appreciate it a lot : and I'm sure everyone else interested in trying it out. Many thanks in advance.

I too have the belly woes. I look like I did at six months pregnant with my second son! LOL! Unbelievably, I gained 80 pounds with my first son and the weight came off easier than it does now! Anyway, I have started doing pillates. It concentrates on the core which is the abs. I feel a difference and when taped, I am beginning to see a difference after only a week. I count my calories carefully and do aerobics cardio in the mornings and do the pillates at night. I was sore in the beginning, but am feeling pretty good now. I don't have a scale and am not sure if I want to, but the tape shows the results too in a different way. In a week I have a lost 1.5" around my waist and 2" in the hips. Try it!

I too would love to know about the "Illegal abs" workout, but I guess she didn't come back.

What level of pilates are you doing??  Did you start with Beginner?  When I see the DVD's.........there's so many choices of pilates....where to start.....I guess that would be the beginning??