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nikkihudson
Question:
How do I lose belly fat?
My friend who has just had a baby has come to me with a question. It seems that no matter how much weight she loses, she always seem to maintain a pouch on her stomach. She suffered from it even before she had the baby - but is looking for ways to help her shift it. Is it a genetic problem, or are there particular exercises she can do to give her a flat stomach.
Is there anyone with any advice out there on how to help her shift it?
Many thanks
Asked by nikkihudson - 6 answers - 42 weeks 3 days ago
lchimi10
Remind your friend that women naturally do have a bit of extra body fat around the belly area (compared to men) as part of the body's way of preparing the body for pregnancy/potential pregnancy.
However, if she still has more than would be expected she should start by taking up regular aerobic exercise (eg 3x1hrs mod intensity per wk)to burn up the excess fat.
She should also include a programme of abdominal exercises (eg sit ups, obliques etc) to tauten up her abdominal muscles. However she should be wary of how quickly she progresses these exercises until shes fully recovered from the birth (esp if shes had a caesarian).
Her other option would be to try a good pilates class as that would help strengthen her core, and a good instructor would also be able to provide to increase your friends postural awareness (as speaking from personal experience poor posture can also have a major effect on how 'flabby' your stomach looks)
Hope this helps a bit
Submitted 42 weeks 2 days ago by lchimi10nikkihudson
Thanks very much for that. Will let her know - I did suggest Yoga or something similar as had read that relaxation can help you lose some fat! I thought that was great news, but naturally used in conjunction with a good overall exercise regime and diet.
Appreciate the help,
Submitted 42 weeks 1 day ago by nikkihudsonmikaratheman
My belief is all the exercise in the world may help or more importantly should help not only shed excess fat(calories)and improve her overall fitness both body and brain but also a strict diet in conjunction with her exercise.
Submitted 42 weeks 9 hours ago by mikarathemanjusrockinout
Well it depends on if the pouch is skin or fat. If fat then aerobic exercises and core exercises. If it is excess skin...core exercises and a trip to the doctor? Need more info to give a really good answer.
Submitted 42 weeks 8 hours ago by jusrockinoutgrumpy59
In very genral terms...you can't spot loose fat. The best, overall, way appears to be with CV (running worked for me...) combined with a reasonable weights program. Also, watch the diet...keep an eye on the carbs as well as the fat, maintain a healthy balance.
Grumpy
Submitted 41 weeks 17 hours ago by grumpy59shindog
Unfortunately you can not choose where you lose fat it is general rather than local like muscle growth. Most Women tend to lose Fat from top to bottom. So you may have found that you have lost fat in your face and that your Breats may have reduced in size.
The Best thing to do is keep up the aerobic exercise and to exercise the your abdominal and Oblique muscles (stomach and side) as this will tighten and tone. I say this as sometimes fat can sometimes be mistaken for loose muscle
Hope this helps, good luck
Submitted 40 weeks 18 hours ago by shindog