tummy fat - a quick way to lose it?

August 24, 2011 4:36am CST
Is there a quick way to start toning up my tummy. It seems to be my trouble zone and when I had my assessment at the gym I was told that my hip to waist ratio was my 'trouble area'. My blood sugar, cholesterol, bmi etc is all average (bmi 2 points above healthy weight range). Can anyone suggest the best way to lose some of those inches on the tummy area. I am interesting in either dieting tips - i.e. foods that are really good I am also interested in excerise tips - excerices that are particularly good for firming up this area. I will point out that i hace had two children - which is why this area needs more attention :-) my youngest is 2.5 years so any and all excercises are safe and i am physically fit. Thanks
2 people like this
13 responses
@roxxtime (299)
• United States
24 Aug 11
As far as diets one of my new favorites is "the 17 day diet" i saw on Dr. Phil I am just about to get started on it but ive seen the results and they have been amazing and so I bought the book and it is like a series of 4 dif diets each 17 days long but each changing enough so that you dont get burnt out, and its not even dieting but eating healthy ways in different stages so as to get continuous results. Its an excellent way just to eat properly but losing weight and having a doctors (who wrote it by the way) proffessional advice and knowing its safe but with crash diet sort of effects is cool. Maybe check it out.
1 person likes this
24 Aug 11
Wow - brilliant - thank you - that is so helpful. I had never heard of that before - maybe because i am from the UK. I am not into faddy diets - although in syain gthta I successfully completed the 7 day juice diet last year - which was surprising effective - but not easy to fit into my lifestyle unfortunately. I have just looked at this on Amazon.co.uk and the reviews are brilliant - and obviously you have said it is good too. I have ordered it for next day delivery so will havea read up on it tomorrow. Again thank you - and let me know how you get on with it too - I don't have much to lose to get to my goal weight - only about 10 kg - which is about 23 pounds I think. But this should help me get there :-) Anna
@roxxtime (299)
• United States
24 Aug 11
I will definitely give you an update after the first 17 days. My goal is to lose about 50pounds but i would be happy with 30. Let me know what you think of it when you get it.
@Trace86 (5030)
• United States
3 Sep 11
i have been on this diet for about a month and have lost 15 lbs. The hardest thing was giving up pasta, potatoes, rice and bread. I need to push myself to exercise so I can keep losing. Willpower is also where I need work, I ate a fun-size Kitkat today and feel so guilty!
• Mexico
3 Feb 12
An actual effective way to reduce those exceeding sizes is naturally, lowering the rations of food you ingest everyday, since you may be using up way less fats and carbohydrates than you currently consume. I did it, because I didn't have any time or wish to do any kind of exercise. If well, I haven't gone muscular and sexy, I have achieved to control those extra pounds and belly fat, which is the mainly aim I was pursuing.
@Trace86 (5030)
• United States
3 Sep 11
Mostly I have changed the way I eat entirely. Less carbs and more vegetables. I have been doing the 17 day diet too. The main thing about that one is to drink plenty of water or you may get constipated. Several days I have had to take a softener or laxative. Drinking lots of green tea is supposed to help burn fat too. Specifically for my stomach, I have been trying to stand up straighter when I can. This makes your tummy muscles work more than slouching so it is a sneaky form of exercise! I have been trying also to do my paperwork at work standing up too. Your core works to keep your balance when you are upright. Take the stairs when you can, park farther from the door, that kind of stuff.
@Cabbyy (13)
• Philippines
3 Sep 11
There are lots of ways to burn that belly fat.But for me this tricks are effective.Like running,why running?hmm, for me its a whole body movement including the tummy.but if your not allowed to do heavy exercises,do jogging is enough also.Household chores is a much better thing to do than going to the gym and pay out extra cash,gardening is one of them,you enjoy what you do plus you can do these together with your family.
@rollylolly (2843)
• India
25 Aug 11
Hi Spanner you are not the only woman to face this problem. I think for many the tummy is the tight spot . Many members have already discussed and gave their valuable advices and suggestions . I would suggest you try Yoga and Pranayam exercises which are quite safe and effective . just check with the following link : http://www.abc-of-yoga.com/pranayam/
@m4ndr4ke (219)
• Philippines
8 Sep 11
You must do cardio exercises like jogging, cycling, aerobic dancing for at least 30 minutes, 4-5 days a week. do weight training 2-3 times a week. slightly cut back on how much you eat, do not starve your body. You must be consistent. There is no fast way in losing fat unless you choose to go for liposuction. sit-ups will not make your tummy fat go away, do 30 minutes of jogging instead.
• Regina, Saskatchewan
24 Aug 11
I'm middle aged and always been thin, but lately I've been gaining weight around my middle and it was driving me nuts. Recently I went to visit my son who is a great walker. We walked the city he lives in for miles. When I got home I discovered I'd lost five pounds in 4 days! Since that visit I walk for ten minutes every day and have kept off the weight and am still losing, as well as getting buns of steel and well developed calf muscles. lol If you have small kids I can understand taking the time to go walking around your neighbourhood could be difficult, but if you have stairs, walk up and down them as much as you can all at one time. That will strengthen your tummy muscles and help burn the 'fat' off. Good luck.
@wongchoiyee (7413)
• Malaysia
24 Aug 11
For tummy fat, you should do tummy exercises such as sit up. Other than that you should cut off fatty foods like cheese, butter, fried chickens, etc.
@NIECIE21 (365)
• United States
24 Aug 11
I am in the same boat as you. I have found that by eating clean and working out 3x a week or so has started to help. It has not been quick, but it will stay off. Be careful of losing to fast as it is that much easier to gain it all back. Good luck on the weight loss though!!
@nezavisima (7408)
• Bulgaria
24 Aug 11
quite often many of us women gain weight around the abdomen due to childbirth. I am one of them. I personally began to fight with these fat deposits by doing crunches and run. Also, however, should keep a diet. Yet to be successful must give up sweets and greasy. Good luck and nice day!
• Canada
24 Aug 11
Well, of course you have to start with a diet that includes less animal fats in them. Start with leaner protein like white meat chicken, or trim a lot of the fat when it comes to steak, or chops. I wouldn't try to change diet dramatically by limiting your food as your body may not like it, and react differently. But slowly start minimizing animal fat, junk foods like chips, replace with more vegetables on your plate, instead of carbohydrates like rice or bread. So generally, no junk, more vegetables, less animal fat. Sodium can also be a factor, so minimize that, and drink more water during cravings (but don't binge water it is bad for the body). For exercising, I would suggest for beginners to just do pure cardiovascular. Running, skipping rope. It is the easiest and fastest way to make yourself healthier. I did not suggest weight training at the gym, because I could predict for most beginners that, they get bored real quick and lose energy after a couple reps. Motivation is a factor. Running in gyms is a big no no too(for now). Just start off with jogging, running in the mornings, skipping rope before running (do some stretches) you will recognize which parts to stretch after your first run as you will be sore there. But stretch like how you see people stretch for the first time, calves, hamstrings etc. I say start with jogging because, once you are far from your house, you have no option but to jog back or walk back, it is a win/win situation. If you start in the gym you'll lose interest and cut your day early. BUT once you are more motivated by running and working out after a couple days, weeks, or even months of jogging, you can start weight training in the gym, which will help you lose more calories. Of course there are many paths to losing weight, this is just the most effective way for beginners, as it gives them time to adjust to the idea of working out. I also highly suggest the program (insanity). It is a weight loss DVD program that is mostly cardiovascular, and it guarantees to get you ripped for 60 days, and it does work if you stick to the diet and daily exercise they provide you. You can of course find this workout online, so you do not need to buy it. Good luck . And word of advise, you cannot just do crunches for your tummy, or squats for your waste. Reason because the stored fat in your buddy are stored energy or calories if you prefer, you can do those two exercises, however, your body is not intelligent enough to identify those stored energy in your body. It will take stored energy from anywhere in your body, leaving your tummy and waste still troubles. Eating too much carbohydrates will also prevent the use of fat in your body, as your body will resort to use carbohydrates first. Though they suggest eating carbohydrates so you are full of energy, I suggest moderation, and use more simple carbs, that break down easily like an apple, before and or after your excercise. Good luck once more!
24 Aug 11
hi:) I remember my mom when she's trying to lose pounds and tone her waist every morning she do 50 or more crunches and sit ups, then every Saturday morning she go to gym and do aerobics and yoga, after maybe 6 months we noticed that her waist is getting smaller, she accompanied it with diet too and try beach diet I think it's the best for losing weight... I hope I did help you:)
@Poch3ng (144)
• Philippines
24 Aug 11
Hi! I also have the same trouble area even before I got pregnant. Wearing a belly wrap or a girdle while jogging or do some cardio exercise is my routine to achieve a flat and toned tummy. I also watch what I eat, avoiding fatty foods, sodas and sweets also helps me to loose some weight and shed some inches in my tummy area. This routine helps me a lot to tone and flatten my tummy easily and would definitely do this after I give birth. Hope this will help you.