fit everywhere but in the middle! - Exercise & Fitness Message Board

lesliemac · 08-02-2006, 05:47 PM

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!

lulu123 · 08-02-2006, 08:57 PM

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!

lesliemac · 08-03-2006, 05:55 AM

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!

lulu123 · 08-03-2006, 11:23 AM

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!

lesliemac · 08-03-2006, 11:39 AM

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.