The FAT Stomach

Okay, I don't know how many of you share this pain with me but...

I HATE MY STOMACH!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ugh, just detest it. It always hangs out, has rolls, and a bunch of situps takes me nowhere. It's pretty much the only part of me that I hate with a passion.

So, does anyone know some good toning exercises I can do alongside regular weight loss to tone up this area? Something apart from situps because usually, after doing about 30-40 situps, the back of my neck starts to really ache.

Cheers!

There are no exercises that will make you selectively lose fat off your stomach, so you can cut out the crunches and it will make no difference whatsoever.  The only way to lose fat off your stomach is to lose fat in general and wait until your body decides it's time to take it off your stomach.  To do that, consume fewer calories than you burn.

Something else that might help is to cut down on processed foods in your diet and "eat clean".  That tends to cut down on bloating and, while it won't necessarily take fat off your stomach, it may make it stick out a bit less.

For core strength, I prefer planks over crunches - but they're to strengthen your core not to take fat off it.

Thanks..yes, I was looking to tone and strengthen my stomach in addition to just losing weight. What are planks and how do you do them?

As per susiecue's post: abs are born in the kitchen not in the gym. You need to be about 15% body fat as a female and 10% as a male to see a six pack, but you will have a fairly firm stomach around 20% and 15% respectively. As for exercises to firm the muscles you can certainly find a ton including pilates, kettlebells, rollers, medicine balls, or any other core specific workout. Talking to a trainer or looking around on line will give you a huge amount of options over crunches and sit-ups.

To do a plank you simply get into position like you are going to do a push ups but instead of lowing yourself to the floor w/ your arms, hold it. Great for all your core muscles not just your abs. If you are a beginer, again just like push ups, you can start on your knees. Try to keep your body straight like a plank of wood. That's where the name comes from.

MY TUMMY!!!!!!!!!!!

I so know what you are talking about...but it has gotten a lot better and smaller along the way...I haven't done any tummy exercises in months..and I used to a lot before..along with aerobic exercises..I cut them out..and I stopped working out because I had low blood pressure..I lost weight and I got down from 132 pounds to 127 pounds...which is good cause it was like a big deal for me to go down to the 120s...well now my tummy is like soft..but it is flat..kinda like a fat-skinny tummy...I want to go down to 123 and hopefully by the time I am there,my tummy-fat will just freaking GO AWAY!!!!

I am just gonna diet harder...

I wish you luck

Bunny,

I'm kind of in the same spot you are.  My tummy is pretty much flat, but I'm having trouble getting the "look" I want from it.  I've been working harder on my ab exercises in hopes that if I build the muscle enough in that area that it will possible stretch the skin in a good way and pull it tighter around the muscles.  After the first 2 weeks its going ok, but I have a feeling that I, too, have several more pounds to lose.  I'm in the 193ish area right now, and I feel like I probably need to lose 7-10 lbs more in addition to the muscle tone to get the look I want.

Anyway, just wanted to offer encouragement and ask that if you find anything that seems to work for you that you might keep us updated.

Thanks,

JTG

YES THIS IS THE LAST BANE OF MY EXISTENCE LEFT

@.@

Sometimes, I really want to curse my fat distribution. I have perfect, slim arms that are feminine, strong, don't jiggle. Long, muscular toned legs to fit my 6' frame.

Then a mid section(from back to stomach) that literally holds the rest of my remaining fat ;akhg;asdkhga;sdgkhasdg

Fat back rolls, stomach pooch...UGG -__-

I'll trade in fatter thighs if I at least get rid of my freaking back rolls.

</rant>

With that said, I am probably not clean enough diet, with my less than optimal genetics, to get easily down to 20% bf. So I know what I'm doing wrong. But ranting is always fun :P

Original Post by fadedsunrise:

YES THIS IS THE LAST BANE OF MY EXISTENCE LEFT

@.@

Sometimes, I really want to curse my fat distribution. I have perfect, slim arms that are feminine, strong, don't jiggle. Long, muscular toned legs to fit my 6' frame.

Then a mid section(from back to stomach) that literally holds the rest of my remaining fat ;akhg;asdkhga;sdgkhasdg

Fat back rolls, stomach pooch...UGG -__-

I'll trade in fatter thighs if I at least get rid of my freaking back rolls.

 

With that said, I am probably not clean enough diet, with my less than optimal genetics, to get easily down to 20% bf. So I know what I'm doing wrong. But ranting is always fun :P

I have had the issue since my early 30's where my weight just flocks to my middle. It's not a good sign and could mean a susceptibility to metabolic issues like diabetes. This is part of the reason I dropped 20lbs recently and continue to drop, weight control is the only chance to stop it.

I don't drop weight though. All progress has kind of screeched to a screaming halt. I think I'm at least getting more arm strength. THINK. x.x If noticed any of my other posts, many have been laced complaints about my effing 3 month AND COUNTING plateau. 6', large frame, chinese, 19 yo, 170 lbs AND STUCK

(don't get me started x_x)

You are also going to lose last from the place that you gained first. Basically, if you have always had a problem with your stomach, it will likely be the last place that you will lose fat from.  I've had lovehandles since I started gaining weight at 14... I'm now 5 pounds away from my goal weight, and they are just now starting to go away even though I've lost the other extra fat from the other areas of my body.  Be patient... that's all I got.  :)

I absolutely detest my gut!!! I have battled weight in my tummy all of my life. It is always the first place that I gain and the last place that I lose. Everyone tells me that belly fat is a normal occurance at "my age". I hate them for that!! I am not expecting to have the "ripped abs" of a weightlifter, but I would like to have a flat tummy.

I have to admit, though, that I have not been a good CC participant. I have let stress and eating get out of control. This week I decided to get back in the saddle. We will see where it leads me.

J-mom