I am hoping to lose my belly by summer, earlier if I can. For those of you who have done this. What did you do? Any exercises you would like to share? Eating tips? (thinking about doing south beach) Thanks so much!?!?!

I'm 170 and would like to get down to 140 at least. Most of which is my belly, legs and butt. But I want to target belly first!

You can't target anything. Spot reduction (losing fat in only one place) is a myth. When you lose fat, it has to be lost all over, which means cleaning up your eating and doing some cardio and resistance training. Avoid the short term fad diets if you can help it (they will just lead to failure in the long run) and consider changing your eating habits altogether. It is fairly easy to do and will make a world of difference in your health and physique. Maybe check out the Body For Life program. You can pick up the book at any book store. It has a great eating a workout plan that *works* if you stick to it. It's well worth the investment. Just a suggestion.

People have told me that they tried the SB diet and they noticed the change in their belly area first- however, I agree with the previous person, you really cannot target one area and only lose weight in that region.
But for me running does the trick - it helps with my stomach, butt, and legs, I notice the changes there first as well (or maybe that is all that I paying attention to so I notice it) - however, I also can tell a difference in my upper back when I have been running more and eating better- the bras are a bit loser!
Do something that you will be able to maintain for life and not something for just 2 months to lose some weight!
good luck.

I am hoping to lose my belly by summer, earlier if I can. For those of you who have done this. What did you do? Any exercises you would like to share? Eating tips? (thinking about doing south beach) Thanks so much!?!?!

I'm 170 and would like to get down to 140 at least. Most of which is my belly, legs and butt. But I want to target belly first!

I can truly relate here. I've had two knee replacements in the past two years. Mother of five, 62 and have a large belly, whereas the rest is not too bad. No longer can use a treadmill and have to find another way beside walking to get the weight off. :confused: I agree with the other poster that said there is no such thing as getting the weight off in one spot. It comes off everywhere.

You can do certain excersises to tone the abdomen. One good one, also (might do something for your legs) if you hate crunches and can't get onto the floor as I can't ...... is. Lie on a coffee table or something sturdy and low like that with the end of your butt right right at the end, not hanging off. Hold the sides of the table with your hands, while lying flat and draw your knees up toward you slowly...... then straighten your legs and slowly let them down below the height off the coffee table... not all the way to the floor but within inches.......then bring them back up straight and slowly and draw them in towards you. Then extend them and repeat. Start with reps of 5-12 twice a day and build up to more and more as you get accustomed. You'll feel the pull on your abs. You will be sore and tender, the first week or so, as you feel muscles that have not been worked for a long time. Don't forget to breathe in through your nose on the uptake and exhale slowly while letting your legs down slowly. Let the weight of your legs be the resistance. You might want to put ankle weights on later on for added resistance. The kind that strap on with velcro.

Check with your doctor....... if you have any health problems that would prevent you from doing the following or the above.

1) If you can walk, do it, the faster the better at the minimum three times a week for at least 30 min and build up to an hour. You don't have to jog to get your heart rate up walking briskly will. If you can do daily all the better. Do some leg stretches first and after so you won't get kinks. Also stand tall and breathe in through your nose deeply and exhale slowly through you mouth through pursed lips. I can't do this anymore (treadmill) but that's what did it for me when I was 52. :o

2) For a fast healthy loss. I highly recommend the Scarsdale Diet. Took off over 21 pounds in less than 5 weeks on that one once, 10 years ago for a class reunion. I was 52 then. You can only be on it for two weeks at a time. One week rest in between which is explained. Surprisingly, after the first 2 days of feeling hungry...... you won't be on the 3rd, it's balanced. You have to follow it exactly. Take a good multi vitamin and drink lots of water. The diet allows you to dring diet soda as much as you want but I find water healthier. It's similar to Atkins, as far as ketones playing a factor, only not so severe because you're allowed healthy carbs i.e. carrots, fruits.

The biggie we all must take into consideration is not every regimen (diet) is for everyone. Prevention magazine had a very good article in it's Jan issue called 'Unlock Your Weight Loss Power'. You may be able to find it online.

Preview of the questionaire is on www.prevention.com/links. Lisa Sanders M.D. 'The Perfect Fit Diet' tells how one person might not succeed on one diet but another will.

I remember Rachel Heller the author of 'The Carbohydrate Addict Diet' saying it's like shoes...... diets are not a one size fits all.... you have to find the best fit for your body or your particular needs. :)

At any rate......grace and power to you! :)

PS Sent for the South Beach Diet. In my estimation it's too strict and hope you love fish, I sent it right back! :eek:

Ali