What are some good ways to get the mid-section smaller?

I really belief that if I was able to make my entire mid-section smaller, I'd be perfectly happy. More specifically, the "cushion" around my lower abs. I'm at that stage where I know it doesn't look huge, but if I look in the mirror and pull that fat back -- tightening it up or whatever -- I can see what I would look like without it and I do like it. I just don't know how long it will take to get rid of it or anything.. nor do I know what exercises work best to tighten that area up and burn off the calories/fat cells/whatever the best.

Any suggestions?

H Mardii

Your body stores fat around the belly and abdomen because it is the least restrictive to our movement, (hence why we don't really get fat hands or feet etc) and it is where lots of fat cells are.

It is impossible to burn fat from a specific area like that.. you need to burn the calories stored in the fat throughout your whole body in order to reduce your weight & body fat percentage.

So, if your doing stomach crunches all day you might look better because the muscle tone in that area is improved - but not because you've been specifically burning the fat that lives there. Burn calories by exercising and you lose fat all over..so eventually the area you want to improve shrinks 

I'm trying to do that too, but I've slimmed down from 180 to 132 lbs which is within my ideal range. And yet that slab of fat right under the abs is still there, it's smaller but still there.

I think slimming more just to lose that fat may not be healthy for me. So, I'm just toning and maintaining/gaining now.

I was like you! I knew if I just worked on my stomach a little I'd be almost completely happy with my body! I started running, doing 3 sets of 3 completely different kinds of crunches a day (it changes on what 3 from day to day, so really anything and everything) and I started eating a lot of fiber and the only processed food I really eat often is whole wheat bread, kashi golean crunch and boca burgers. It worked for me! It took about 3 months though.

like someone said its impossible to target where you want to lose weight specifically, but my trainer showed me a new exercise that is for tightening your lower abs:

lay on your back flat and curve your lower back so there isnt a space between you and the mat. suck in your stomach (so you can still breathe comfortably obviously but hold it in) and extend one leg straight out almost on the ground but not quite and take the other leg and put it in the air bent at the knee as if you are going to pedal a bike. hold it counting 1-2. then switch legs. repeat 12 times and do 3-4 sets. dont over do it.  thats all you need is 4 sets max and allow a day inbetween to let them rest and recharge before you do it again so you get results.  it is very important that you hold in your stomach muscles during exercise like running walking and especially abdominal exercise because you want to train the muscles to shape inward not pushed outward.

YOU CANT LOSE WEIGHT SPECIFICALLY FROM UR LOWER ABS BY DOING ANY KIND OF AB EXERCISES - AB EXERCISES STRENGTHEN THE MUSCLES UNDERNEATH THE FAT. COME ON PEOPLE!!!!!

I've pretty much had to accept the fact that I'm always going to have a slightly poochy belly. I think some of us just arn't meant for rock hard abs. But I will say pushing the cardio has helped me shed fat from all over. Just remember weights help too. Lifting weights burns fat for a couple of days while your muscles are recovering. running and cardio just burn fat for a few hours while your doing it and a couple after.

While you can't reduce that area specifically, I found that once I started working out on the elliptical, I noticed a big decrease in my hips/lower abs area. I recommend.

My husband just read an article in one of his body building magazines about ab work.  Basicly it's like the others on this list are saying.  You need the cardio to burn the fat - and - the ab muscles aren't just the ones over your stomache.  Otherwise you will have a really nice six-pack hidden deep inside the fridge. Hee, hee, hee. That is why lifting weights help.  Because you need to streghten the muscles on the sides and lower back that are all working together. light weights and hi repetitions will burn the fat without adding weight from lots of added muscle, we don't want to look like power lifters do we?  I know there's a wave out there on strengthening your core muscles.  You might look into it. 

on what cellophane_star said about the elliptical:

Elliptical does work wonders.  My trainer friend years ago told me the first thing to do when starting out trying to get fit is to "suck in your gut!" Works with walking too- just remember to hold those muscles tight while working out. Years ago I did that while walking every day. Resulted in much smaller waist and firmer tummy than others who were just walking without holding abs tight. Also helps to tighten glutes while walking to firm up rear faster.