This will be a long bulletin, but please bare with me- I need any and all suggestions!

I started working out about 8 months ago. I do 30 minutes of cardio then crunches 2 days a week and 45 minutes of weight training 2 days a week. My upper body (arms, tris, chest, back) look amazing! My legs (thighs, hamstrings, calves) are awesome. The problem is my core (abs and oblekes) are not only not getting trimmer, but seem to be expanding every day.

I know that I'm eating more. My husband said that is because I need more calories from the weight training. I'm starving all the time and it seems like I'm gorging myself all day long. I also know that I needed a lot of work to begin with. I've had two kids and never bothered to get back into shape afterwards. But this seems ridiculous! I can see the definition under the fat, but the fat just keeps piling on. My mid-section looks bigger that it ever has, even after my kids.

I know I'm doing something wrong- diet, exercise, something. But what is it! All this work seems to be useless without the benefit of trimming the one thing that got me working out in the first place. PLEASE HELP!

Ohhh I do know what you are talking about. I have lots of hidden muscle too! If only I could shave off the pounds surrounding it!

First off, you didn't give your age. As we women age we have a harder time to loose weight. Especially, if you have done any type of yo yo dieting in the past. I also pack on the extra around the middle. Sooooo hard to buy clothes with that problem!

The only way I've found to reduce the "tummy" area effectively was to exercise harder than I ever did when I was in my 20's. Sweat, sweat, sweat! Notice I didn't say longer cardio times, just more efficient effort placed in 20 to 30 minutes. It is terrific that you are toned as muscle burns more calories to maintain itsself than does fat. Once you get rid of the fat you will emerge much as a butterfly does when it sheds its cocoon. (corny) Oh well.

Anyway. If you haven't read Body for Life yet you might find it a lifesaver. The author covers "diet" in great detail and your husband was right when he said you need more food when you are building muscle. You need a good balance of protein and carbs. I used to emphasize the "carbs" and leave out the protein. Not anymore. Read Body for Life. You'll love it! Ta!

Well- I AM in my 20s! 26, actually. I've been thin all my life, but I've never been in shape and I've never eaten as much as I do now. I bust my rear when I do my cardio, I think it's mostly a diet issue. I know we have a copy of Body for Life somewhere- collecting dust! I'm not interested in losing pounds, just fat and inches in the middle. I'll dig up that book and see how I can apply it to my life. I'm not a big fan of "fad" programs, but I'm sure I can take something from it.

What kind of core training do you do? I could use some tips on that!

You said you are not interested in losing pounds. Do you not have a layer of fat covering your middle or have I misinterpreted your message?

I do know that spot exercising will get you nowhere if that area is covered in fat. If you keep overeating as you explained you will keep adding more.

Yes, you are right. Diet is the answer since you admit you are a lucky "thinny":) and you are already doing cardio and weights.

I eat 6 meals a day. 3 of those are PVL protein/carb drinks. I started 9 days ago and have lost 3 pounds. I'm not hungry. I exercise. I still haven't seen my svelte abs, but I will once I get rid of my excess baggage.

I use a stability ball for ab work. Check out a video on "how to" and give that a whirl. You need to work all areas of your abdomen and the ball is a good way to do it.

Maybe someone else reading our messages has some other answers. I sure would like to hear them myself!

I do have a layer of fat I want to get rid of, but weight-wise, I am already probably underweight. That's what makes this all the more upsetting because I look very disproportioned. Like I said, I do work my entire body, most of it looks great, just not the abs and "love handles".

I was just thinking that I should get a ball and a video- I know that they are awesome! I have used them before in the weight class that I take, but it's pretty sporadic that we use them.

I just have to figure out how to eat- how to give myself the extra calories that I need and how to burn off the ones I don't properly.

The answer to your question is cardio cardio cardio. That is the only way I can lose the fat even when I eat clean. I strength train 5 days and do 30 minutes of cardio twice a day. That may seem like alot but it is the only way my body can get fit. And do high intensity cardio. For example, if you are doing the treadmill warm up for 5 minutes then change the speed every 3-4 minutes. Go up and down in speed. Or you can walk at the same speed but change the incline. You should be whipped by the time you are done. I know I am. Most people just dont work out hard enough doing cardio. I hope this helps.

PS I take one day off each week from cardio.

you say that you've had 2 kids right?? were you really thin before having kids? did you gain alot of weight during pregnacy?
I'm asking because I was really thin before kids, had 2 , gained alot of weight, now at 29, lost all preg weight, kept it off for 2 years, still have a "V" pooch. it's exta skin fron stretching out so much because i was so thin to begin with. shy of going under the knife ther'res not much that i can do, I do do pilates mat and ball workouts, that has helped some, but because of the skin stretching during prenancy, I will never have a flat stomach.
oh, do you drink alot of fluids? I find that drinking alot helps by not being bloated, being bloated makes your stomach look poochier.

you say that you've had 2 kids right?? were you really thin before having kids? did you gain alot of weight during pregnacy?
I'm asking because I was really thin before kids, had 2 , gained alot of weight, now at 29, lost all preg weight, kept it off for 2 years, still have a "V" pooch. it's exta skin fron stretching out so much because i was so thin to begin with. shy of going under the knife ther'res not much that i can do, I do do pilates mat and ball workouts, that has helped some, but because of the skin stretching during prenancy, I will never have a flat stomach.
oh, do you drink alot of fluids? I find that drinking alot helps by not being bloated, being bloated makes your stomach look poochier.
I know that there is a lot of extra skin that will never go back. That I can deal with. Like I said, I was actually thinner around the waist before I started working out! I had that saggy skin, but no fat. No muscle either, though. Now, I have toned abs, loose skin and fat. I do as much cardio as I can- my work-out time is limited. I know that it has to do with diet and when I eat. I'm so hungry all the time because of the muscle that I have gained everywhere else, and I guess that I'm not sure what to eat and when. For instance- if I work out in the morning (at like 5:30) when should I be eating carbs and protien throughout the day? How much? I know the 6 small meals a day idea is what I should be doing, but what should I be eating?

Have you ever read Body for Life? It is an excellent book that explains what to eat and when. You can buy it at any bookstore or can probably check it out at your local library. You pretty much want protein and carbs at every meal. The book explains what carbs to eat. It also explains cardio and strength training. This has been a big help for me.

Having a child can literally tear loose the muscle in your tummy making in appear heavier there and nothing you can do except a tummy tuck to sew those muscles back together.