Belly fat

[morechocolateneededtoday]

Looking for some advice on reducing belly fat.

I have always followed the mantra 'diet for weight, exercise for shape'.
Weight wise, I don't weigh much, BMI is 20.2 but my problem is the belly fat! Is it healthy and appropriate to go into a calorie deficit when my weight is already on the lower end?

My diet could do with tweaking but is far from terrible. Veggie, meals always cooked at home, try have some protein in each meal, don't order take aways and rarely eat ready meals. Daily bar of choc and coffee (1 sugar and plant milk) are my weaknesses! If I was to be critical, should probably also reduce white carbs (mainly rice and flour) further still

In terms of exercise, I work out 4-5 times each week for around 30 minutes. I have been doing this consistently for 1.5 months now and workouts are predominantly strength training, sometimes with HIIT incorporated.

I am getting myself confused because my weight is on the lower side. Should I still be dropping my calories? I am seeing definition on every other part of my body, just no change to stomach.

With me, it is my saddlebags that are last to go. I think it is just the way you are made. Short of liposuction, you can’t target specific areas for fat loss.

You can't exercise to lose belly fat but you can try vacuums to strengthen internal core en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vacuum_exercise

Try hooping with a weighted hoop. I found that toned my waist area

Thank you all. I have not been doing any targeted training on the stomach area, focused on all body strength workouts. If anything, I avoid workouts that are exclusively focused on the core! I just wondered if a calorie deficit is what I need to drop the fat and if so, is it safe given my weight is on the lower side? Or am I just being impatient and it will eventually come with continued exercise?

Thanks for advice on vacuums, I randomly came across someone promoting it on a SM post recently too, will add it to my workout.

Weighted hoop is going to take some practice, I cant even do regular hoop!

Weighted hoops are easier to use than a bog standard plastic kids one.

Oh really? I will give it a try in that case!

Weighted hoop does help with the core a little but it's not a magic solution.
If your body fat is already low then aiming to go lower might just make you look skinny with a belly as the body loses and keeps it where it wants to!
Sounds like core training is what you need

@Zazdar

With me, it is my saddlebags that are last to go. I think it is just the way you are made. Short of liposuction, you can’t target specific areas for fat loss.

This. A healthy amount body fat is essential. It would be great if it was always distributed neatly and evenly round our bodies but people carry fat in different areas. It could be that like me you are a classic apple shape and carry more around your middle.

IMO the only way to get rid of specific areas of body fat is by targeted cosmetic removal. But I'm not sure if a reputable practitioner would be prepared to do it if it was going to leave you underweight.

I'd do the exercises recommended on here and maybe up your protein intake to help you build muscle particularly as your fitness regime is focussed on strength. Also include something like Pilates that will lengthen and tone muscles to give a more streamlined look. If your lower abs are toned a little bit of residual fat won't look bad.

I

Surgical body fat removal is not an option. While it annoys me, I will not be having surgery of any sort for this reason

My entire stomach area does not look toned - from upper abs down to hip area. My legs and arms have become much more defined, as has my upper (and lower albeit to lesser extent) back

I used to carry fat on lower abs and hips pre-children too (although not as much as right now), the upper abs and belly area has happened since I stopped breastfeeding my youngest

I’m glad to come across this thread, as I’m in the same situation.

Which weighted hoop Is recommend? I’ve looked some up but not sure which is good to use.

Exercise won't lose the belly fat and having it at a low BMI means it is just your build. But a stronger core and good posture can help you carry it better and is just generally good for you.

I'm slim (pear) with a flabby over-stretched, CS overhang. When my core is well worked I can pull it all up and in for a leaner sillouette. If I slump badly or have a phase of bloaty eating, I can start pregnancy rumours. Makes little difference on weigth though!