How do I lose weight from my tummy?
Search Questions
Asked
5mon ago
Viewed
18k times
Updated
6 days ago
8
I joined the gym in January and started on the treadmill and some weight lifting. I gained 6 pounds, so I stopped weight lifting and start a diet in April and walking on the treadmill for 45 mins at least 4 times a week, dropped 3 pounds. Why is it not coming off faster. I've changed my diet and my intake of calories has been cut way down. I'm trying to lose about 15 pounds and firm my tummy. Please give help
10 Answers
23
Hey Maria,
Just wanted to elaborate on the reasons people often gain weight (at least initially) when they start an exercise program. The following is from an article that I recently wrote:
When a sedentary or somewhat inactive individual starts an exercise program, several changes occur in the body to respond to this new exercise stimulus. The sum of these changes can add a bit to the scale, despite your hopes for the exact opposite. First of all, the muscles can increase in size, and the added protein in the muscle actually stores additional water. The body will also start to store more sugar in the muscles, and again, water storage plays a role here as well. Several enzymes that process oxygen will also increase in quantity within the muscle cells. And if this isn’t enough, your connective tissues will toughen and thicken, and your total blood volume can increase by up to one pound within a week. All of this better prepares your body for more frequent exercise bouts, and helps to improve your workout efficiency. At this point, you’re probably wondering what can be done to mitigate these effects? The answer is not much. The key is to be consistent with your workouts, and avoid the scale if you’re likely to get discouraged by what you see. It’s important to remember that this is simply your body adapting to exercise. Believe me, your weight will trend down in the long run as you continue your program. Don’t forget the old adage—good things come to those who wait!
Let all of us know if you need any additional information. And don't stop strength training. It's an important part of a well-rounded program. Try doing some cardiovascular strength training (circuits with no rest), and throw some interval cardio into your steady-state workouts. Keep that body guessing as to what's coming next!!
Brian
4
Everyone here is giving you good awnsers.
Don't worry about that the scale say, you are going to put on muscle in the first part of your training, and muscle weighs more than fat. You want to keep that muscle since it burns calories faster than anything else.
What I do is I only weigh myself once a week, at the same time (in the morning), I have a little spreadsheet that I track my weight gain/loss and I also track inches. That to me is more important, since it shows what areas are getting toned up.
Now for the core, don't do just crunches, switch it up with different ab workouts that focus on differeent areas. But also work out other parts on your body. Since your core is your stability, when you work out with for example free weights, your core is what helps keep you stable so your working it at the same time when you try to keep good form. My "fav" for abs are all the different plank movements.
Hope this helps some
4
I have lost inches from my tummy by modifying my diet. I have cut out all of the white breads and gone whole grains. I am cutting way down on sugar unless in fruit naturally.I have added lots of fiber to my diet using flax seed,and wheat germ. I eat yogurt daily and drink lots of water.I have gone down from size 20 pants to 16 and have way more energy! I have lost 20 pounds. I have been walking a lot and havent been to the gym in about a month (I know, shame on me!) However, watch the sugar and salt content in things you buy and eat smaller, more frequent meals with added protein and fiber and you can lose more weight I bet!!
3
Cardio causes weight loss because it increases the amount of calories that you burn in a day. The equation calories in minus calories out is more effective when you burn more calories! However, do not discount the value of lifting weights. By gaining muscle (which weighs more than fat) your body will begin to naturally burn more calories. This is because muscle burns calories by just being muscle. (i.e. a person with extra muscle will burn extra calories when they are sitting around because muscle naturally burns calories). For this reason, don't be discouraged if you find that lifting weights results in less weight loss, muscle is heavy. The results are not always on the scale, rely on the mirror, the tape measure, and week to week strength gains. A balanced routine of cardio and weights is the best of both worlds.
Keep in mind that you cannot spot lose fat. By burning more calories than you intake, you will lose fat all over (including your belly). Working your abs will lead to fat loss in your belly, but only because you are burning calories. Doing abs is no more effective reducing belly size than any other exercise that results in the same amount of calorie loss.
3
just keep up the good work
2
are you spot training? if so thats no bueno I'll try to explain quick and simple we have 29 muscles that attach to our lumbo-pelvic-hip complex,your core is divided into 2 categories...stabilization system and movement system..the stabilization is primarily responsible for core movement so you have to work on that be for you start to see results that your looking for.you have to train or in most cases retrain these systems before you get what you want, it would be analogous to building a house without a foundation, the foundation must be developed 1st to provide a stable platform for the remaining components of the house be built on...make sure your core is tight on a daily bases when your working out and even when you aren't. don't worry about the muffin top its the hardest and as you keep working at it u will see what you want, like i tell my clients don't worry about what the scale says keep working at it til you fit into that dress, pants, or shirt that you want to own and work it..trust clothes not scales and it didn't take you overnight to put it on so of course its not going to come off over night either, keep at it u can do it!
2
maria,
i would love to help you and hear are my thoughts...
first add the weight training back into your routine! to get the fastest results i feel weight trainig, cardio and diet are very important together. four times a week is a good amount of time to start so train with weights when you first get to the gym and do the 45 min of cardio afterwards.
i will give more specific advice, but i need more info from you.... what is your diet like and what is your goal (how much weight loss)? also, how much time can you devote to training? please understand that just because you're in the gym and moving a weight or walking on the treadmill doesn't mean that you are doing it correctly or with enough effort. weight lifting should be no more then 15 reps and it should be difficult. cardio should have you breathing hard but you should ba able to still hold a conversation.
2
DONT work out on your tummy at all!!!!!
Instead work on your diet plan and overall exercise plan. Get an EXPERIENCED personal trainer or if thats not possible then get this book...
save yourself some time and lots of effort. It helped me and surely will help you...
Thank you,
Prabinesh.
1
Cardio helps so don't stop that! I am in the same boat as you. I do a lot of ab workouts and jogging. You have to stick to it! It took 3 months for me to see little results. Abs are the hardest area of your body to tone. Just keep at it! 
1
Just keep on trying. You didnt put the weight on fast and it wont go away fast. Patience. We are all in the same boat. Having to work harder to get the weight off. But just think how healthy you are getting.
Add your answer
Anytime Health is the official wellness website of Anytime Fitness—the world's largest co-ed fitness center chain!
Get a FREE 7-day pass. Click to find an Anytime Fitness gym near you!
Please consult your physician prior to starting any diet or exercise program.
Questions? Comments? Send a message to support@anytimehealth.com.
Anytime Health is the official wellness website of Anytime Fitness—the world's largest co-ed fitness center chain!
Get a FREE 7-day pass. Click to find an Anytime Fitness gym near you!
© 2010 Anytime Health, LLC.