How can I lose my fat tummy but stay the same everywhere else?

[CrikeyOHare]

(Is this in the right section? Sorry if it's not).

I have always been slim & small, but recently have found myself putting on a bit of weight, probably due to the fact that I'm not getting any younger.

It's not a huge amount - but I feel more rounded & womanly if that makes sense (my boobs look way better!), so I quite like it.

BUT - my belly is horrible. I look about 5 months pregnant :( (I'm not, btw, unless it's an immaculate conception ).

So, I want to lose the fat gut, but keep the rounder boobs, thighs and face. How can I do this?

Thanks :)

[Hopefully]

You can't. Basically - your body will lose from wherever it loses.

However there are things you can do that will improve the appearance of your stomach area, and also give you the best chance of losing there rather than elsewhere.

Lots of ab exercises, not just crunches (which only work part of your abs) - plank, sideways crunches (whatever they're called), plank twists, anything that targets your core will tone up what's there and improve the appearance of your stomach, although it won't get rid of the fat there especially.

The only thing that might help you lose around your middle rather than your hips/bust etc is (a) eating very cleanly (limit processed foods, basically eliminate processed white carbs like white bread, sugar etc), (b) making sure you aren't stressed on a daily basis, as cortisol (stress hormone) makes you more likely to store weight around your middle and (c) get enough sleep (can't remember the science, but again it's hormonal - much around with your sleep and you are more likely to store fat in less healthy areas such as round your middle).

If you want to read more about it, I really enjoyed Master your Metabolism by the great Jillian Michaels, who has lots on how hormones affect our weight and how to bring it all back into balance.

[CrikeyOHare]

Amazing advice, Hopefully, thank you.

I'll start some of the exercises you recommend immediately and see if that makes a difference. If It doesn't, I'll try the "clean" eating.

TY :)

[HaveALittleFaith]

I was going to ask if you think you might be bloated? I'm wobbly all over but I have IBS and if I eat lots of processed food/lots of carbs/wheat I get really bloated and my belly gets huge. I agree with trying to eat 'cleanly'. I notice a difference within a few days. I also find eating probiotic yoghurts helps to keep on top of it.
Cutting out wheat is pretty radical and I wouldn't suggest it for everyone but it's certainly an IBS trigger for me. Might be worth keeping a food diary and seeing if you notice if certain foods make your belly bigger.

[CrikeyOHare]

I might be, Have. I've had fairly low grade IBS since my teens (I say low grade because I've been diagnosed with it multiple times, but my symptoms are nowhere near as bad as some peoples') - so perhaps that's what it is.

Food diary is a good idea.

It's annoying. My boobs are way perkier with a bit of fat added, and my face seems younger too. If it wasn't for the tummy hanging over the top of my jeans (yuck!), I'd be happier with my figure than I've been for years.

Sods law, huh?

[Krumbum]

You can't.

[ppeatfruit]

This is the best muffin buster (tummy flattener) i've done and still do it. it really works!!They can be done on a firm bed or on the floor

A. Lie flat and bring yr head and shoulders up 5cms or so slowly to the count of 5. Hold for 5 KEEPING yr HEAD IN LINE WITH YR.SPINE(not poking forward or back).

B. Do this 5 times in the morning and night.

it activates yr muscles (you can feel them all day esp. if you tighten them up to the count of 20 a while sitting or whatever).

[ppeatfruit]

Oh also cutting wheat is the best thing you can do; see book Wheat belly by Michael Davis M.D. It's not radical i've avoided wheat for years and have more energy and feel loads better than I ever did.

[CrikeyOHare]

Thanks PP - 5 at a time doesn't seem too bad, and in bed too!! (Do I get to eat chocolate at the same time !)

Will try it. TY :)

[Windsock]

Stop drinking

[Mobly]

You can't localise fat loss it's just not possible (without liposuction).

You can do all the stomach crunches & ab exercises you want but while you would be strengthening the muscle, the only way to get rid of the fat is to either eat less calories than what you burn off or do fat burning cardio exercise.

I have the same issues, if I put weight on its my stomach, arms & face it goes on. I actually look curvier when thinner. If I am skinny enough to be happy with my stomach then my bum & legs are too thin.

[Mobly]

I dress to add curves when I can be bothered.

[NigellasGuest]

there's something called CoolSculpt which is quite £££ but I might start saving! basically they put a machine on you in the specific place, and it zaps your fat away.
needless to say, most people have it done round the tummy. It doesn't work on loose skin, just actual fat.

[Krumbum]

Please don't suggest cosmetic surgery.

[ppeatfruit]

With that muffin busting exercise I do Acupressure which works to make you curvier (there's an exercise which perks up yr boobs!!) and it does believe me. i do also follow a very healthy diet so no dairy choc. But I DO have some.

[NigellasGuest]

krumbum it's not surgery

[CrikeyOHare]

Hi all - really appreciating all the tips :)

Looked up Coolsculpting - it freezes the fat cells away, apparently.

Let me know if you go for it, Nigella and how much it costs.

I'm definitely upping my exercise anyway for health & fitness reasons - but I suppose, ultimately, I'm going to have to choose between pert boobs or a flat tummy (or flat-ish).

Hmmmm

[Krumbum]

Don't choose just live your life. It doesn't matter. Please don't have surgery.

[Bunbaker]

"I'm going to have to choose between pert boobs or a flat tummy (or flat-ish)."

A really good incentive is that having a flatter stomach massively reduces your risk of diabetes and heart disease.

Sadly, I am pear shaped, but my waist to hip ratio is 70% which is considered healthy, so I console myself with the fact that it is healthier.

[CrikeyOHare]

Thanks, Krum. There's no way, even if I could afford it, that I'd ever consider having surgery, and no one on here is suggesting it, honestly.

And, you're right, it doesn't really matter when all is said and done, but I'd like to feel good about myself :)

[HaveALittleFaith]

I'm going to have to choose between pert boobs or a flat tummy (or flat-ish).
That's why God invented wonder bras!

Seriously if you exercise your upper half you can also build muscle tone around your pecs your boobies have more muscle around them. True fact!

[ppeatfruit]

Hi havea In my post I mentioned acupressure it's easy it's DIY and it blxxdin works REALLY!!!

[CrunchyFrog]

My waist to hip thingy is appalling, 83% I think it was.

That's at a 5'7, 10.5 stone size 10-12. I can't see that losing more weight will actually help much. The proportions and thus percentage will remain the same.

I'm low-carbing and have hopes for that, as I definitely have less of a belly. But already my wrists, legs and arse look too thin.

I long for a pear shape!

[Lottapianos]

I feel your pain Crikey - I'm very happy with the rest of me, but I have a gut that just won't quit I have brought it under control a bit in the last year or so by:

• Increasing exercise, nothing wild, just walking 2-3 miles 2 or 3 times a week and making conscious effort to hold in abs while doing it
  
• 'Blast Off Belly Fat' 10 minute solutions DVD 3-4 times a week, 1-3 sections at a time - flippin' marvellous it is!
  
• Avoiding carbs in the evening and having extra veg/salad with dinner instead (I do this 4-5 evenings a week)
  
• Cutting down on booze
  
• Still eating cake and other sweet stuff, but having a couple of extra clean eating days afterwards
  

I try to follow the 80:20 principle - watch what you eat and drink 80% of the time, the other 20% eat what you want. It works for me - anything stricter is too scary

[CrikeyOHare]

So, that made a noticeable difference then, Lotta?