Stupid question about losing the "fanny pack" look.....

I am a 55 year old female, and have successfully lost 28 pounds. I am very happy with how I look, except that I still carry this small innertube around my waist - this fat roll that I can't seem to shake. It's smaller than it used to be, and my waistline is actually visible again, but the fat roll is there. I am afraid that it's a fat deposit that comes naturally with age. I thought I should try to lose a few more pounds, but the rest of me is shrinking - I don't think I should lose any more in my legs. I walk about an hour almost 4 times a week (can't run for various reasons), and I swim a mile the other days - which has helped shape up my torso and my upper abs tremendously. But the innertube remains.

Any suggestions for exercises to target this area? Since it's fat, I wasn't sure if target exercising would help - i thought my swimming would  take care of abd muscles. I am somewhat limited in the exercises I can do - i have learned i can't go big guns on anything without tearing or breaking something......that's part of aging gracefully - knowing my limits.

If you get an answer, let me know...   My 'mother's apron' is the only part of me that I'd like to take a knife to!

LOL! Well, to be honest with you, surgery was on my mind....! I worked with a surgeon who promised me years ago he would cut off my "fanny pack" when I was ready! But I think that's a bit drastic.......

Have you gone through menopause yet? I think it's very common for post-menopausal women to have a pooch. I've seen skinny women with that pooch. If you are in the higher end of the healthy BMI range you could try to get down to the middle of the range, or if you have a very small frame the lower end of the range. But if you're already thin, then I don't think there's much you can do about it except surgery.

sorry :/

I have that same problem.  I just turned 52 and the pooch isn't going anywhere.  I've resorted to using reshaping garments to camoflauge (sp?).  I love the way I look in my clothes now.

Do all 50 year old women have to look like Sharon Stone now? Why not quit worrying about it and just be happy with the body you have? 

haha! I am happy - just asking how to improve. Sharon Stone is not my goal and never has been! Since we are talking exercise and fitness, I wondered if I was missing a strategy to deal with this.

Not just for the over-40s!  One of my college roommates has an odd shape, she has the fanny pack at 20 and it makes her really self-conscious.  She has expressed interest in going to the gym with me, but I dunno how much that will help  :(   so I too am interested in this question!

sunflower59 - do all girls have to look like mary-kate olsen?  Why don't we all just up and leave this site all together?  Mass exodus ftw!

Did you try a weight program? To build muscle not fat. Also do you do crunches? Ab work out is great for getting the gurtle feeling again in your abs. I'm still working on it. I gained in my waist going through pre menopause now trying to get rid of the extra inches.

My understanding is that there is no way to spot lose fat.  I wish there was, I have a some spots on my body that need it.

The only answer is keep up the excercise and keep losing fat slowly but surely.  lifting weights is an exellent way to amp up the fat loss all day.  If you aren't doing that you might want to jump in. 

Plus you can get all jacked and start fights.  kidding....

Surgery is always there as well.

OK - that's what my understanding was to. I could do all the crunches in the world, but I would still lose fat everywhere, not in one place. I swim a mile a day, and that helps my waist tremendously, as well as my abs. I could try crunches, too - wouldn't hurt. The more I exercise, the more I want to exercise, so who knows!

Thanks for the comments.

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as spot reduction =(... I wish there was.

However, you can work on building lean muscle mass while losing fat mass.  The more lean muscle mass you consist of, the more calories your body will burn at rest. 

I would find a good trainer who can help you create a weight training program.  And then more importantly, work on a good clean diet.  Eat protein enriched and well balanced small meals every 3 or so hours.  Drink tons of water which helps with digestion.

You can achieve anything you set your mind too!  Good luck! =)