how long to lose the fat around the middle?
Discussion
My current complex diet plan of eating less, eating better when I do eat, and moving more is currently working well.
My trousers and other clothes are already feeling a bit looser, and I have noticed a slight change in body shape.
However, the stomache fat is still there with gusto. I don't expect overnight results obviously, but in general does the body use this area last as a fat burning store?
My trousers and other clothes are already feeling a bit looser, and I have noticed a slight change in body shape.
However, the stomache fat is still there with gusto. I don't expect overnight results obviously, but in general does the body use this area last as a fat burning store?
To lose that final tyre will take serious dedication; you will need to significantly build up abdominal muscle mass and lose fat.
Note that it is hard because you cannot lose fat in specific places: you must lose it all over.
That is why the term "toning up" (from what I've read) is utterly detested by homosexual body builders: there's no such thing. You just need to do lots of cardio, weights and watch your diet very carefully.
Good luck.
Note that it is hard because you cannot lose fat in specific places: you must lose it all over.
That is why the term "toning up" (from what I've read) is utterly detested by homosexual body builders: there's no such thing. You just need to do lots of cardio, weights and watch your diet very carefully.
Good luck.
i'm no superhero said:
To lose that final tyre will take serious dedication; you will need to significantly build up abdominal muscle mass and lose fat.
Note that it is hard because you cannot lose fat in specific places: you must lose it all over.
That is why the term "toning up" (from what I've read) is utterly detested by homosexual body builders: there's no such thing. You just need to do lots of cardio, weights and watch your diet very carefully.
Good luck.
To be honest though you don't even need to do loads of weights/exercises as that isn't what gives you a six pack its not having the fat over it!! Loads of people have very very strong abs/core and don't have defined muscles there.Note that it is hard because you cannot lose fat in specific places: you must lose it all over.
That is why the term "toning up" (from what I've read) is utterly detested by homosexual body builders: there's no such thing. You just need to do lots of cardio, weights and watch your diet very carefully.
Good luck.
I wouldn't worry about it and just keep to your exercise regime and keep in lots of cardio - thats what will reveal your six pack! (as will not eating crap obviously...)
bales said:
i'm no superhero said:
To lose that final tyre will take serious dedication; you will need to significantly build up abdominal muscle mass and lose fat.
Note that it is hard because you cannot lose fat in specific places: you must lose it all over.
That is why the term "toning up" (from what I've read) is utterly detested by homosexual body builders: there's no such thing. You just need to do lots of cardio, weights and watch your diet very carefully.
Good luck.
To be honest though you don't even need to do loads of weights/exercises as that isn't what gives you a six pack its not having the fat over it!! Loads of people have very very strong abs/core and don't have defined muscles there.Note that it is hard because you cannot lose fat in specific places: you must lose it all over.
That is why the term "toning up" (from what I've read) is utterly detested by homosexual body builders: there's no such thing. You just need to do lots of cardio, weights and watch your diet very carefully.
Good luck.
I wouldn't worry about it and just keep to your exercise regime and keep in lots of cardio - thats what will reveal your six pack! (as will not eating crap obviously...)
Sit ups and crunches won't give you a 6 pack like the films will have you belive, under 10% bodyfat will reveal what the majority of active people already have.
I can feel I have a pretty defined pack of muscles, but they are covered by fat
ShadownINja said:
Yep, re doing cardio and not worrying about the abs. Just think of it as having a full tank of petrol. You need to use up all that petrol but you keep refilling it. Do lots and lots of cardio. It will go. Forget watching TV or playing on the net. Just keep running. 
If only I could find someone to siphon the petrol off... TheCarpetCleaner said:
ShadownINja said:
Yep, re doing cardio and not worrying about the abs. Just think of it as having a full tank of petrol. You need to use up all that petrol but you keep refilling it. Do lots and lots of cardio. It will go. Forget watching TV or playing on the net. Just keep running.
If only I could find someone to siphon the petrol off... ShadownINja said:
TheCarpetCleaner said:
ShadownINja said:
Yep, re doing cardio and not worrying about the abs. Just think of it as having a full tank of petrol. You need to use up all that petrol but you keep refilling it. Do lots and lots of cardio. It will go. Forget watching TV or playing on the net. Just keep running.
If only I could find someone to siphon the petrol off... Off to ebay I go!
This looks interesting... no bad feedback about it but for under £100 I probably won't be expecting miracles...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/EXERCISE-BIKE-CROSS-TRAINER-...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/EXERCISE-BIKE-CROSS-TRAINER-...
TheCarpetCleaner said:
This looks interesting... no bad feedback about it but for under £100 I probably won't be expecting miracles...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/EXERCISE-BIKE-CROSS-TRAINER-...
No, no, NO !!http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/EXERCISE-BIKE-CROSS-TRAINER-...
Flimsy, squeaky, creaky crap that will either break or be thrown in the garage after 3 uses ....
For the same money you could get something good quality, respectable brand, but second hand. Many people flog exercise stuff that has seen less than 6 weeks use, as they simply lack the dedication. My gear originally cost several hundred or over a thousand pounds - but was picked up near mint condition and dirt cheap,
Should have added earlier:
I went through a phase of cutting bodyfat last summer and managed to get down to around 10%. Exercise was of secondary importance, diet (calorie counting) was paramount:
1) 1g or protein per lb of bodyweight
2) limited carbohydrates (reduced these periodically to maintain fat loss) down to 1g per lb of bodyweight and below
3) No carbs after 4pm
4) limited caffeine, but none after 2pm
5) 6 small meals (meals/protein shakes)
6) 20-60 mins low-intensity steady-state cardio first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. I'd go to the gym first thing to plod along on the treadmill for an hour and then have my normal scheduled workout in the evenings. Very, very boring!
7) Drinking plenty of water (1 gal per day)
Consistency is the key: I had no 'cheat days', just the same routine for about 3 months. To have brought my bodyfat much lower I'd have had to seriously starve myself!
I went through a phase of cutting bodyfat last summer and managed to get down to around 10%. Exercise was of secondary importance, diet (calorie counting) was paramount:
1) 1g or protein per lb of bodyweight
2) limited carbohydrates (reduced these periodically to maintain fat loss) down to 1g per lb of bodyweight and below
3) No carbs after 4pm
4) limited caffeine, but none after 2pm
5) 6 small meals (meals/protein shakes)
6) 20-60 mins low-intensity steady-state cardio first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. I'd go to the gym first thing to plod along on the treadmill for an hour and then have my normal scheduled workout in the evenings. Very, very boring!
7) Drinking plenty of water (1 gal per day)
Consistency is the key: I had no 'cheat days', just the same routine for about 3 months. To have brought my bodyfat much lower I'd have had to seriously starve myself!
Animal's diet is by no means extreme, but steer clear of these 'milkshake' type diets. They are not sustainable. Permanent weight loss needs to be about lifestyle. We all know people who go mad on the latest fad diet, lose loads of weight really quickly then 'complete' the diet, slowly return to their old lifestyle and the weight goes back on.
Biggies to avoid in regular large quantities: Beer and wine! If calorie info was on these I think a lot of people would be quite shocked!
Biggies to avoid in regular large quantities: Beer and wine! If calorie info was on these I think a lot of people would be quite shocked!
I'm aiming to do the same thing so have signed up for a 10k run in May. I gave up alcohol on New Year's Day and run 4-6 times per week for 2-3 miles. Sometimes I consistantly jog, sometimes I interval run and I have not drastically changed my diet as I know I won't stick to it. All I have done on that front is to cut portion size down a bit, not snack as often and, drink plenty of water and not consume alcohol. I'm aiming for a longer term lifestyle change but needed a goal to kick-start me into a change of habit.
I used to be fit and play rugby week in week out as well as kickbox train (mental workout that made me feel sick!) but since giving that up 18 months ago I have slacked on the exercise front.
This way I figured I'm not changing anything drastically but I am getting used to regular exercise and the weight is very slowly shifting as well as increasing my fitness levels. The only thing I will concede is that I do not intend to give up alcohol forever, but when I do go back on it, I will keep the intake low.
I used to be fit and play rugby week in week out as well as kickbox train (mental workout that made me feel sick!) but since giving that up 18 months ago I have slacked on the exercise front.
This way I figured I'm not changing anything drastically but I am getting used to regular exercise and the weight is very slowly shifting as well as increasing my fitness levels. The only thing I will concede is that I do not intend to give up alcohol forever, but when I do go back on it, I will keep the intake low.
Animal said:
Should have added earlier:
I went through a phase of cutting bodyfat last summer and managed to get down to around 10%. Exercise was of secondary importance, diet (calorie counting) was paramount:
1) 1g or protein per lb of bodyweight
2) limited carbohydrates (reduced these periodically to maintain fat loss) down to 1g per lb of bodyweight and below
3) No carbs after 4pm
4) limited caffeine, but none after 2pm
5) 6 small meals (meals/protein shakes)
6) 20-60 mins low-intensity steady-state cardio first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. I'd go to the gym first thing to plod along on the treadmill for an hour and then have my normal scheduled workout in the evenings. Very, very boring!
7) Drinking plenty of water (1 gal per day)
Consistency is the key: I had no 'cheat days', just the same routine for about 3 months. To have brought my bodyfat much lower I'd have had to seriously starve myself!
But in a basic sense doesn't the fact that you have to do that to maintain a low bodyfat percentage mean that for the rest of the year your diet has too many calories or that your aren't burning enough of them off with the exercise you are doing?I went through a phase of cutting bodyfat last summer and managed to get down to around 10%. Exercise was of secondary importance, diet (calorie counting) was paramount:
1) 1g or protein per lb of bodyweight
2) limited carbohydrates (reduced these periodically to maintain fat loss) down to 1g per lb of bodyweight and below
3) No carbs after 4pm
4) limited caffeine, but none after 2pm
5) 6 small meals (meals/protein shakes)
6) 20-60 mins low-intensity steady-state cardio first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. I'd go to the gym first thing to plod along on the treadmill for an hour and then have my normal scheduled workout in the evenings. Very, very boring!
7) Drinking plenty of water (1 gal per day)
Consistency is the key: I had no 'cheat days', just the same routine for about 3 months. To have brought my bodyfat much lower I'd have had to seriously starve myself!
I (now) understand the principle behind cutting but surely with a balanced diet to exercise ratio you shouldn't need to have such an extreme diet regime?
Does the extra bf% come back when you go off the diet?
I hope I don't come across as to knocking you for doing it but would a slight change in your diet year round negate the need for such a program in the summer and instead just upp the cardio for a few weeks?
Edited by bales on Wednesday 27th January 14:25
bales said:
Does the extra bf% come back when you go off the diet?
I hope I don't come across as to knocking you for doing it but would a slight change in your diet year round negate the need for such a program in the summer and instead just upp the cardio for a few weeks?
Completely! I only did it as an experiment to see firstly if I could do it and secondly to get some measure of what it would take to reduce and maintain low b/f.I hope I don't come across as to knocking you for doing it but would a slight change in your diet year round negate the need for such a program in the summer and instead just upp the cardio for a few weeks?
I have remained leaner than previously but have still put on plenty of b/f - an injured shoulder preventing me from doing anything hasn't helped either!
If I wanted to strike a happy medium then yes - once I'd reached the bodyfat level I was after I could reign the diet and exercise in and use a more moderate approach. This of course assumes that I'm not a total glutton who loves eating everything (except carrots and mushrooms - they are the devil)! I fear this may be my real problem...
Animal said:
This of course assumes that I'm not a total glutton who loves eating everything (except carrots and mushrooms - they are the devil)! I fear this may be my real problem...
To be honest thats the right way to be anyway, it has to be a lifestyle choice doesn't it, whats the point in starving yourself all year and never enjoying any of the foods you like for the sake of a six pack that hardly anybody sees!!Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff