"The Big Tummy"

[cheryl p.]

Re: "The Big Tummy"

I think it will shrink some,but I also think that I should start saving for a tummy tuck!
I don't have a pretty tummy anyway, I had 2 c-sections and was cut up and down
I had no choice they were both emergencies, but word of advice do not opt for that cut
especialy if you are over weight to start with.
cheryl p.

[pipee_pl]

Re: "The Big Tummy"

So we are certain that spot targeting will not get rid of the stomach. So the best thing is a combination of weight training and cardio.--now there are so many ideas about exercise, just as many as diets- but find something you are comfortable with and stick with it.
some people swear by alternating days of weights and cardio. I have done this in the past but i have picked up my intensity. So if you are just getting started try monday wednesday and friday a cardio exercise like a brisk walk or bike for about 30 min. tuesdays, thursdays and saturdays try some strength training with weights, doesn't have to be heavy but something that will make you feel it after 10, then 12 then 14 reps. on the weight training days alternate lower body with upper and you can include abs on both.
i do something different, i do 35 to40 minutes of cardio 5 to 6 days a week and i do 2 muscle groups of weight training everyday. for example i did a 25 min jog, 10 min on eliptical then i did my chest, back and ab exercises with weights.
from my understanding you loose weight from the outer parts of your body inward- so your arms, legs and face first then your torso. the torso is the hardest especially in women- this one i deal with personally.
but hopefully that helps somewhat!

[pipee_pl]

Re: "The Big Tummy"

Hi, I'm just starting out and i have a long way to go! I started atkin's on 8-25-05 I weighed in at 335 it is 9-08-05 and I'm now at 318 I have a short term goal of 250 by
1-01-06 I would like to get down to 150,but my tummy already hangs like a bum.
Will it ever go down?

cheryl p.

your stomach will probably hang somewhat but it will definately be smaller.- sorry i don't think anyone can give you an answer it is more like a wait and see sort of thing!

[BabyDreamer]

Passive exercise...kinda...

No more,

I am not sure what my tummy will do, but as I have gone down from my high weight of 311 to 260, it has started to shrink. I do one thing that I feel helps, but I am not sure if it really does or not. When I am sitting around doing my work (I work from home), I contract my stomach muscles and sit up straight as much as I can. It is like a mini-sit-up kinda. I can feel the muscles move and it makes me sore so I know the muscles are being worked. It may help, it may not, but it cannot hurt.

If my tummy is sagging too bad, I will have a tummy tuck after I have my dream child. No sense getting one before I have a baby as that would seem like a waste of money.

Until that happens, I plan on wearing one of those body shapers if I need to cause I know the corset I wore under my wedding dress in April took several inches off my waist as it pinched me in. Ok, so I could not breath, but it did make my tummy look better. I have seen in catalogues that there are shapers for men and women too.

Deb

I am starting week 4, still on Induction. I need advise from all of you success story people as to how to best work at toning, eliminating, etc., the stomach I will be losing. What has your experiences been, and what is the best way to work on the stomach problem as I am losing?

[sofarsogood]

Re: "The Big Tummy"

I have the same problem with my stomach. I have two kids (both C-section) and now I can grab my stomach and just pull it out 3 or 4 inches. I think it's loose skin with some fat under it. I'm hoping that by the time I get to my goal weight it may have tightened up some.

[Desertthorn]

Re: "The Big Tummy"

I think that a good cardio and weight lifting is just the thing. I have been going to a class called all the basics and I have done everything from bikes to balls, to bars to dosus and the mix between the cardio and weights seems to be the best combination for toning and exercising.

[xven]

Re: "The Big Tummy"

Actually, having your tummy look a little bigger by training it, is just a temporary thing to put up with. Muscle burns fat. So adding in a little training into your cardio routine will be a great investment.

[BabyDreamer]

Re: "The Big Tummy"

What kind of treadmill do you have Cleo? I want to put a bug in Santa's ear.

Deb

I walk on the treadmill, too. If you suck in your tummy, it not only helps your posture, but it also tightens your midregion.

Biking is also fab
for your abs!

[ttdriver]

Re: "The Big Tummy"

Running is for the gut, walking is for the butt.


Betty

[mirna05]

Re: "The Big Tummy"

Excersice, for me tummy was the last thing to shrink, everywhere i was losing inches but not the tummy, i am still dealing whith it, it does not want to go away. I should have been resistance training since the begining, that works just perfect.

[addyosu]

Re: "The Big Tummy"

The cardio training they are referring to is called "interval training". This allows your body and heart rate to not become stable, but stay within the necessary zone to burn the mximum amount of calories. It is has been proven that you will burn more calories doing interval training on a treadmill (3 mins at an in incline walking, 3 minutes no incline running) or on a EFX "elliptical trainer" (2 mins incline 9, resistance 9.. 3 mins incline 5, resistance 7). Just food for thought. I am new to Atkins, but not new to working out. I read in another post that weights 2-3 times a week is plenty, especially if you don't want to bulk up but would rather just tone.

[addyosu]

Re: "The Big Tummy"

I've also read that you will lose weight in the reverse order of which you put it on. So if you got your big tummy first you will lose it last.

I've heard this too! And I believe it. To do most of these workouts we are using our arms and legs so of course we are going to notice larger changes there, but my big ol' belly and hips are shrinking much, much slower. Core strength training is always good, but just don't over do it.

I am going to try pilates because I've heard so many swear by it. I've got the ball and I've got the video. I am set!

[Caro]

Re: "The Big Tummy"

i had a friend who was apersonal trainer and he said the best thing for the tummy is good ole fashion crunches..no fun but they work!

[ronnie114]

Re: "The Big Tummy"

Weight training plus cardio is the best for boosting your overall metabolism. Muscle has to burn calories just to survive. The more muscle mass you have the more your "resting burn" of calories is. Women shouldn't be afraid of "bulking up" we simply don't have the testosterone levels to make our muscles look like guys' muscles. Doing crunches is going to tighten the muscles of your abdomin not bulk it up. BUT keep in mind... when you tighten those muscles, you end up pulling your spin forward which can end up giving you a more pronounced stomach, soooooo make sure to strengthen your back muscles as well to keep your spine in place. That way you won't get that sway back look.
Cardio is extremely important to burn your fat over all as well. Less fat covering your muscles and you are not going to have to worry if your muscles are "pushing" your fat out.

Also change up your exercise routine often. As your muscles get used to an exercise, they become "experts" on em. You burn less calories doing them. If you switch up your weight or even cardio routine, your muscles don't have a chance to get used to those exercises, so your caloric burn isn't going to drop off.

[Ginasfuntime]

Re: "The Big Tummy"

They say walking is the best exersize..I will be starting my walking routine tommorow