picksie
05-05-2005, 11:08 AM
So I have been doing a modified Atkins, or South Beach I guess, for about 2 months now. Going pretty well except for those carb craving days in which I can't control myself! I've lost about 15 pounds, I didn't do an induction phase, and I'm pretty happy with the slow loss because I think I can change my lifestyle gradually and keep with it forever that way.
My problem is that I can't seem to get rid of my stomach. Last year, when I had a particularly stressful one, I put on these 20 +/- lbs and my stomach almost looks like I could be pregnant sometimes it's that bad (to me at least). I know that's the last to go they say but I think I should have seen some reduction there. Is there maybe a health problem underlying that would cause this? I don't want to do crunches because I read that can build up the muscle under there and make it look worse initially. Any ideas?
My problem is that I can't seem to get rid of my stomach. Last year, when I had a particularly stressful one, I put on these 20 +/- lbs and my stomach almost looks like I could be pregnant sometimes it's that bad (to me at least). I know that's the last to go they say but I think I should have seen some reduction there. Is there maybe a health problem underlying that would cause this? I don't want to do crunches because I read that can build up the muscle under there and make it look worse initially. Any ideas?
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tinarr
05-05-2005, 11:28 AM
ive been wondering that myself.... i hope someone has a good answer!
aquagirl007
05-05-2005, 11:53 AM
You cannot spot reduce weight. Just keep doing what you are doing. Make sure you are eating well and exercising. It may take 45-60 minutes of exercise per day. Your body will take the weight off where it wants to, but you will be losing fat from all over your body. It is a slow process, but it can be done!
Good luck!
Good luck!
Crossbow
05-05-2005, 03:39 PM
There are some things that can cause abdominal bloating. You might want to check with your doctor to be sure it's just fat. Once when I switched birth control pills I seriously gained more than 6 inches around my waist, but it went away after the first month. I also get really bloated from eating wheat. So diet and hormones are two things to check.
But if it's just fat, you'll just have to keep up what you're doing and wait for the results to show.
But if it's just fat, you'll just have to keep up what you're doing and wait for the results to show.
tinarr
05-05-2005, 04:49 PM
Once when I switched birth control pills I seriously gained more than 6 inches around my waist, but it went away after the first month.thats very interesting. i think my last pill made me gain weight. and my belly expanded. yeah, i did get some proper fat on it, but most of it is just kind of what looks like a beer belly. its just too firm to be fat. its just as if my stomach has expanded.
im switching to some other pills now.
but is that all that can be done? what if getting off the bad pills doesnt help it?
im switching to some other pills now.
but is that all that can be done? what if getting off the bad pills doesnt help it?
bdtx82
05-05-2005, 07:12 PM
Are you exercising? Adding some cardio and light weights will really help!
You should still do the crunches. I doubt it'll make you noticeably larger, but it will make the area look more firm. Even if there is some fat on top of the muscle, it will look way more toned! One thing though is that a lot of people just do traditional crunches, but these just target the upper abs. You should try doing some leg raises (keeping legs straight, slowly lift and then lower them to just about an inch above the ground). These will target your lower abs which are a problem area for many women. Also you can turn your legs to one side and then do crunches to target the obliques (make sure to do both sides!). This won't get rid of the fat, but it'll make the are look tighter and combined with your diet, you'll see an improvement.
You should still do the crunches. I doubt it'll make you noticeably larger, but it will make the area look more firm. Even if there is some fat on top of the muscle, it will look way more toned! One thing though is that a lot of people just do traditional crunches, but these just target the upper abs. You should try doing some leg raises (keeping legs straight, slowly lift and then lower them to just about an inch above the ground). These will target your lower abs which are a problem area for many women. Also you can turn your legs to one side and then do crunches to target the obliques (make sure to do both sides!). This won't get rid of the fat, but it'll make the are look tighter and combined with your diet, you'll see an improvement.
tinarr
05-05-2005, 08:04 PM
i dont really excercise cos i dont have the time, or space to do it.... :/ sadly.
Crossbow
05-06-2005, 02:36 PM
thats very interesting. i think my last pill made me gain weight. and my belly expanded. yeah, i did get some proper fat on it, but most of it is just kind of what looks like a beer belly. its just too firm to be fat. its just as if my stomach has expanded.
im switching to some other pills now.
but is that all that can be done? what if getting off the bad pills doesnt help it?
My belly was firm too, Or tight, actually. The doctor used the word "distended."
You have to give birth control pills a good three months to see what the effects are. All the ones I've trined have had weird side effects the first month and then the secondmonth they go away. My stomach went back to normal after the first monnth on those pills. I stayed on them for about 5 years, I think.
im switching to some other pills now.
but is that all that can be done? what if getting off the bad pills doesnt help it?
My belly was firm too, Or tight, actually. The doctor used the word "distended."
You have to give birth control pills a good three months to see what the effects are. All the ones I've trined have had weird side effects the first month and then the secondmonth they go away. My stomach went back to normal after the first monnth on those pills. I stayed on them for about 5 years, I think.
Musion
05-07-2005, 01:16 AM
If not doing induction works for you great. but I think the only way to get rid of the “soft fat” is induction. The quicker you do this the sooner you will find out how much of the “hard fat” you have. The “hard fat” has a scientific term which I have forgotten but it is the most dangerous fat that will push aside and displace your organs inside your body. Not good!
I was told the same thin about sit-ups (yes I hate them too!)
But I was also given another way, a stationary bike.
Put it in front of your tv and ride till you think you just cant and then do a little more. The aerobic part of this action is what helps you burn off the “hard fat”.
I do both sit-ups and bike now, hope this helps.
I was told the same thin about sit-ups (yes I hate them too!)
But I was also given another way, a stationary bike.
Put it in front of your tv and ride till you think you just cant and then do a little more. The aerobic part of this action is what helps you burn off the “hard fat”.
I do both sit-ups and bike now, hope this helps.
Titchou
05-07-2005, 10:42 AM
Try Pilates exercises...you just need enough room to lie on the floor. It will definitely tighten up your stomach. There are several videos on the market and you can find the execises on the Internet. The best one of them is where you lie on your back with your legs at a 45 degree angle in the air - legs straight. Lift your head off the floor. Have your arms by your sides and lift them off the floor a few inches. Holding your belly button to your spine (figuratively speaking, of course!) pump your arms up and down (like flapping your wings) one hundred times. And no, you won't make it to 100 the first time you try it!
thinsoon
05-07-2005, 11:34 AM
lsd is the "answer"... long slow distance... prolonged aerobic exercise will help... and there is such a thing as "spot reduction" that is an excuse, so just keep moving your stomach and more fat will drop... really...
good luck...
good luck...
tinarr
05-07-2005, 08:46 PM
You have to give birth control pills a good three months to see what the effects are.
i was taking them for 3 years. i was fine for the first year and a half, and then my breasts started growing madly, and i started gaining weight.
actually it happened so suddenly that i thought i was actually pregnant, how fast my belly expanded.
however i didnt actually realise i had gained real weight all over for a while... until winter came again and i had to get into my previous winters clothes. then i realised i no longer could haha.
i was taking them for 3 years. i was fine for the first year and a half, and then my breasts started growing madly, and i started gaining weight.
actually it happened so suddenly that i thought i was actually pregnant, how fast my belly expanded.
however i didnt actually realise i had gained real weight all over for a while... until winter came again and i had to get into my previous winters clothes. then i realised i no longer could haha.