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Original poster

Stomach fat - getting me down, how can I adjust exercise to burn?

55 replies

AbsolutelyCreamCrackered · 10/08/2023 07:02

Some background to issue:

I am 53 and in good health. I think I am menopausal because 4 years ago I had very serious peri-menopausal symptoms and I was given the mirena coil to shut down my cycle. Because of this, I don't know what is going on there.

4 months ago I set myself the challenge of doing 7 workouts a week. I have to do things like this, or I lack motivation. For 3 months (month 4 was mostly away) I mostly did;

Body pump x 2
Cardio - running/ cross fit x 2
yoga x 2
1 other from above or YIN Yoga is I was too tired and to stretch it all out.

4 months later and I am feeling a lot fitter. My legs, and arms have toned up and my boobs now are slightly more north than they were before. I tried to diet, lost 10 pounds, and then it refused to budge. I have noticed this as I get older. It doesn't want to come off. I now literally have zero cellulite on my legs, and I am looking more defined.

Now the main issue. I seem to have core strength, but of my god, I have no waist line. It is 29". I look pregnant. I have a massive layer of fat going all the way up to the bottom of my boobs. It is hideous. I am now box shaped.

I am passed ever having a flat stomach. I'd just like to lose a couple of inches of this fat so I go in a bit in the middle. It's horrible.

I'm now doing 6 work outs a week. I am doing more running than I was before. 5K twice a week, working up to 10K, 2 or 3 times a week.

I've worked so hard, but this stomach fat is making me depressed. I am sending clothes back because they don't fit round the middle.

Moving forward is there anything I can change in my fitness routine to have some impact on burning middle fat? My DH says we eat crap but we really don't. I eat healthily compared to most.

OP posts:
Paq · 10/08/2023 07:38

Your exercise regime sounds good. Why does your husband say that you both eat "crap"?

Cotswoldmama · 10/08/2023 07:35

Have you tried Pilates? I do you tube pilates workout a few times a week the channel is called Move with Nicole, I'm not flexible at all but I find if I stick to a few of hers I like and I get to know the moves it gets easier, a little boring but at least I'm not struggling to work out the moves as it goes along. I also run 2-3 times a week usually 10k. If your running other workouts should be about strength. My usual routine is Tuesday long run sometimes 16k always at least 10. Weds 40-50 mins workout either 2x20 min move with Nicole workouts and 2x 10 min Chloe Ting abs or the other way around. Thursday another 40-50 min workout as before. Friday a run 10k or more Sunday a run 10k or more. I sometimes fit in a workout on Monday or Saturday especially if I haven't managed a run or workout in the week on another day.

ThePoshUns · 10/08/2023 07:23
  • increased cortisol not cardio
ThePoshUns · 10/08/2023 07:23

I've been reading up on cortisol and how that affects weight in women our age. A lot of cardio leads to increased cardio, which causes the body to hold on to belly fat.
What I've read is to do more weights/ less cardio.
Diet is more important than exercise though.

Bubbles254 · 10/08/2023 07:20

I think diet is key to loosing belly fat. It is usually the last fat to go and for me cutting out all upf and reducing starchy carbs was key. I also find less cardio and more strength training helps.