Tummy woes!
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Tummy woes!
| Fri, 03-25-2005 - 3:54pm |
I'm a 37 year old female, weighing at 120 pounds, my height is 5"2 and I work out almost every day (cardio, machines, free weights, abs of steel tape series). I'm on the South Beach diet since January. My problem is that the fat I'm working so hard to burn off is building up in my tummy/torso area. It look like a kangaroo pouch!!! The rest of my body is looking good and toning up well. However, my tummy is growing rather than shrinking!!!!!!!
PLEASE ADVISE!
Thanks so much :)

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I don't have any answers, but I just wanted to say that I hope you can figure out what is causing it. Those tummies can really torture us, lol. How long have you been working out? And have you had children?
Hugs,
Kim
I've never had children and I've been working out on and off since the 80's. I'm getting to the point of frustration; even considering a tummy tuck (gasps) but I know it's a risky procedure and I certainly don't have the $$$$. I just don't know what else there is to do about this pouch. I fear the day someone might ask if I'm prego! Yes, that's how puffy the tummy is! I love my body and want to take care of this situation. I'm open to any suggestions or ideas.
Thanks and happy easter to all!
And if it were me, I would ask my doctor about it. He/she would probably be familiar with the problem, I'm sure.
Kim
I have a video library that would put Block Buster to shame. I have a video for every workout imaginable from Kathy Smith to Denise Austin to Karen Voght etc...
I have weights, bands, treadmill, stepper, and sticky mats for yoga. So, as you can see, my home is like a gym in itself LOL! The tummy issue might be genetic; mom has a pouch but she had me and my sis and never worked out a day in her life. There might be a genetic trait of "pouchism" but since I work out, I figured I could beat that inheritance ;)-
I see so many women with flat little bellies, my age group and older, and it frustrates me that I can't get to that level. If only tummy tucks didn't hurt so bad and cost so much, I would be the first in line!
Thanks for the input and I'll just keep plugging away on my abs.
Happy Easter!
I was looking around and here is a link that you might find very helpful (I know I did!)...
http://parents.berkeley.edu/advice/pregnancy/ab_exercise.html
Kim
Not all women are meant to have bellies without some curves to it. Genetically speaking. Cardio is the only way to remove the fat. If you aren't doing cardio and just doing toning, you could be making your belly appear larger.
Women are meant to have children, they are meant to have curves and especially in the belly area.
Make sure you are doing your cardio, cut back on carbohydrates and sugar.
Thanks for all the tips and support! Have a great Easter and nibble on a chocolate bunny ear for me :)
Hi there, and welcome!
I agree with some of the others- genetics! It sounds like you workout regularly and have been doing so for a while, including cardio, weights and other various things; cardio is the best way to lose FAT, but if it's more a toning issue then things like the good ol' fashioned crunch will help with that. Have you ever tried using a ball? I find it REALLY gets those mid-section muscles engaged.
Many of us struggle with the same issue....
*** Moderation Is Key ***
Getting Fit In Your 30's
cl-vi_islandgirl
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I do agree that genetics has almost everything to do with where we gain and hold weight, however, if you know this then you know where to start fighting. I'd visit the doctor and a trainer with experience in that area. Instead of hiring a trainer full time or on some type of schedule, you might could hire him/her as need or for a one time deal with a follow up to make sure you're doing it right. I had a trainer/friend that told me muscles have memory (and have read this in numerous publications) and you need to switch a particular muscle's exercise no later than two weeks to prevent the memory from setting in and becoming more efficient which gets lesser results. He had me switching so often that I was always a wee bit sore everyday because my muscles were never "getting used to it". I hope this makes sense.
I certainly sympathize because after three children, that's my weakest muscles and most horrendous looking part on me! LOL. I "look good" for having three kids but not good enough for a 2 piece swimsuit or anything that reveals my midsection. My doctor told me that my biggest issue is that my ab muscles are too weak, which also affects my posture, back, neck, etc. Weak stomach muscles are causing my other issues that are sending me to the chiropractor. If for no other reason, I should be strengthening my abs for fewer doctor's bills!
Cardio increases you metabolism but strength training increases metabolism 10 times more. I believe in balance so I do both. Oh, and only do a muscle group every other day so they have a day in between to recover and rebuild stronger. So, you could do abs on M,W,F with cardio and the other muscles and cardio on T,TH,Sat.
Hope this helps,
Ginger
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