tater97531
02-16-2004, 11:03 PM
i am trying to become more fit...i am doing some workouts on the bowflex and ab crunches. Im about 5'2'', 90 lbs....i am thin on my arms especially but I have that annoying belly flub....how do I get rid of this? will workouts completely get rid of it or do i have to diet? I am worried about dieting because i grew up always small and underweight (not intentionally) and im not sure it is the best plan for me. can anyone give me advice on slimming down?
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Misako
02-17-2004, 01:06 AM
I sort of have the same issue. I'm 5'3" and 105 lbs, and I'm really rather thin, but I still have those annoying areas that won't get..."de-flabby" - mostly my stomach and the curve of my waist right about my arse, and my thighs.
I don't plan on dieting, because I'm already underweight as it is and I don't want to lose any more weight - I just want to gain more muscle definition.
I'm starting pilates...will this be beneficial?
I don't plan on dieting, because I'm already underweight as it is and I don't want to lose any more weight - I just want to gain more muscle definition.
I'm starting pilates...will this be beneficial?
painjunkie
02-17-2004, 10:55 AM
Given your body type, should be possible to lose the pouch.
If you can see yourself being at a low enough body fat percentage, where the skin is lying flush against the muscle (without much subcutaneous or under-the-skin fat), then it is that feasible. Stomach muscle tone (TVA muscle) also helps the bulge, as does posture.
The body conditions itself automatically through exercise. Such that, if through doing whatever activity(that you do thru exercise), it sees the need to either add more lean mass or access fat stores or increase endurance or whatever, it will improve in that way, to help you better do that activity.
Current research says that we can't tell the body WHERE to burn fat from (ie belly, thighs etc), like we can tell the body by doing bicep curls to increase bicep muscle mass. But we can decrease overall body fat levels through exercise. Those still growing need to be careful not to restrict that growth.
Having a rounded workout/exercise routine should address both the issues of losing weight (enough to lose that under-the-belt flub), as well as tone the arms. Add cardio as well as muscle toning exercises and it will help to not lose lean body mass, while targeting the fat. Keep focus on toning rather than weight-loss.
Watching what is being eaten (rather than "going on a diet"), would help quicker and more easily reduce fat levels. This would help also in gaining the lean body mass on arms.
Rather than dieting, change the diet - reducing fats, salt, sugars, refined carbs, over-processed (processed) foods, and increasing the veg, fruits, fibre, water, fish, white meats, lean meats, wholemeal grains/complex carbs.
Pilates, is a very good functional (daily routine activities) exercise. It is excellent for core body muscle groups, and in posture, stretch and breathing.
If you can see yourself being at a low enough body fat percentage, where the skin is lying flush against the muscle (without much subcutaneous or under-the-skin fat), then it is that feasible. Stomach muscle tone (TVA muscle) also helps the bulge, as does posture.
The body conditions itself automatically through exercise. Such that, if through doing whatever activity(that you do thru exercise), it sees the need to either add more lean mass or access fat stores or increase endurance or whatever, it will improve in that way, to help you better do that activity.
Current research says that we can't tell the body WHERE to burn fat from (ie belly, thighs etc), like we can tell the body by doing bicep curls to increase bicep muscle mass. But we can decrease overall body fat levels through exercise. Those still growing need to be careful not to restrict that growth.
Having a rounded workout/exercise routine should address both the issues of losing weight (enough to lose that under-the-belt flub), as well as tone the arms. Add cardio as well as muscle toning exercises and it will help to not lose lean body mass, while targeting the fat. Keep focus on toning rather than weight-loss.
Watching what is being eaten (rather than "going on a diet"), would help quicker and more easily reduce fat levels. This would help also in gaining the lean body mass on arms.
Rather than dieting, change the diet - reducing fats, salt, sugars, refined carbs, over-processed (processed) foods, and increasing the veg, fruits, fibre, water, fish, white meats, lean meats, wholemeal grains/complex carbs.
Pilates, is a very good functional (daily routine activities) exercise. It is excellent for core body muscle groups, and in posture, stretch and breathing.
Magpiezoe
02-17-2004, 11:45 AM
Hello, You're weight is fine, so dieting will not help. I was 95 lbs. when I was in high school too. Everyone has a slight pouch and it really isn't as big as you think it is. The pouch looks bigger to you, because you are looking down at it. It's really not as much as fat as it is weak stomach muscles.
The exercises you are doing are perfect, but be aware that the Bow Flex was recalled due to the back piece of the older ones braking off and hitting people in the head. Exercise is really the way you want to go, but you have to be patient. It's the stomach muscles that you want to build, firm, and pull in.
I suggest getting Arnold Swartzenagger's body shaping book for women. You can also do various kinds of crunches like slow crunches to the count of 2, raised leg crunches, and twisted crunches. You can also do leg lifts and leg pulls.
The exercises you are doing are perfect, but be aware that the Bow Flex was recalled due to the back piece of the older ones braking off and hitting people in the head. Exercise is really the way you want to go, but you have to be patient. It's the stomach muscles that you want to build, firm, and pull in.
I suggest getting Arnold Swartzenagger's body shaping book for women. You can also do various kinds of crunches like slow crunches to the count of 2, raised leg crunches, and twisted crunches. You can also do leg lifts and leg pulls.