Getting rid of belly and back fat

A

amyrobyn

Active Member
Hi,
I am 31 years old, 5"4 and fairly petite. I do Cathe workouts (step, kickbox, circuit, high step, weights, etc) about 3-4 times a week and I feel I'm getting in shape.. However, I can't seem to lose the fat in my lower belly as well as the stubborn "back fat" (you know, the kind that hangs out just under the bra strap in back). Can someone please give me advice as to how to lose fat in these areas?
Thank you very much!!
Amy
 
Hi Amy,

Obviuosly I'm not Cathe, but I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents. You can't spot reduce. There's simply no way to lose fat in a certain area. Fat will come off your entire body and those areas that have a little more will take a little longer.

I'd suggest you review your diet and make sure you're eating your food as close to it's natural state as possible. Get a lot of fiber in your diet from whole grain sources. Drink at least 64 oz. of water per day, watch your sodium intake and skip the diet sodas (they can cause bloating). If you must drink, keep alcohol to a bare minimum.

For exercising: since you're using Cathe's weight workouts, make sure you are using a challenging weight. Muscle is more metabolically active than fat so the more muscle you have, the more calories you burn all day.

Hope this helps.
 
I'm doing Cathe gym style workouts and I've lost 2 inches around the bra line area as well as 1.5 inches in my lower abs. I'm doing very very little cardio, only 3 times per week for about 30 minutes. I'm lifting as heavy as I possibly can with good form.
 
Kelley111,

Have you changed your eating? That's a strong factor also.

Edited to say that I am not saying you didn't work hard but that if your eating changed to, it probably contributed to the inches lost :)
 
My eating is pretty much the same which is not good. I eat entirely too much fast food. I've been working out this way for about 8-10 weeks now. I started out with Power Hour every other day before the Hardcores shipped with 3 days of cardio for only 30 minutes. I started seeing results then, but once I recieved my Hardcores, I could not believe the difference. I have also lost 2 inches off my hips and 1 inch off my thighs. My jeans that were too tight around Christmas are now almost too big. I have never had such a dramatic change in my body ever. I wish I could clean up my diet and see how my body wound respond then. I'm working on it, but it is very slow. I started a thread last week about how my body was looking and feeling so flabby, but this week it actually seems to be a little better. I think I'm just going through a transition after having lost all those inches so quickly.
 
I just dropped about 40lbs from this time last year. I dropped 3 dress sizes and 3 pant sizes too. I was a size 18 and now I'm a size 12. I'm aiming heavily at those size 8s still in my closet after nearly 10 years of just looking at them (the last time I wore them). I can tell you that some other tools that might help you out are keeping cardio at a fat burning range. I use a heart rate monitor whenever I workout to see where I"m at. 3-4 days of the week I keep my cardio at that fat burning level and then the rest of the week I don't care. I have to tell you that it is does make a difference if you are looking to rid yourself of body fat and not just weight. Using Cathe's workout during those days, especially the weight and cardio (Heavy slow, and Supersets series) keeps me working towards a tone up too.

Also you have to balance the fat and protein ratio. There is good fat like omega 3s found in salmon and olive oil and canola oil, and good proteins found in soy products, and nuts. I found cutting out the HYDROGENATED oils gave me a MUCH more desirable result in the long run.



Not for attracting guys, not for looking better than other girls, just for me
 
I agree with Kelly, the hardcore dvd's are doing it for me. I am doing this rotation (very simple)...

Monday: HC MuscleMax
Tuesday: Imax 2 (30 min.) either 1-5 or 6-10 combined with 23 min. Lowmax Blasts only/Coremax #3
Wednesday: HC GS Legs/StretchMax (any)
Thursday: KickMax Premix Cardio Leg Scult/Coremax #3
Friday: HC GS Premix Upper on Both/StretchMax (any)
Saturday: IMAX 3/Coremax #3

I am working out bodyparts twice a week (heavy). Cardio was "cut" to 3 days a week concentrating on intensity with sessions. I am doing BFL/EFL. I love the diet. I have not been hungry and the "skin" that was loose around my abs is tightening. After a few more weeks, I will attach a picture of my physique. The only thing I don't like is the "Free days". I still eat healthy but tend to overdo it. Bill Phillips said it wouldn't matter because it will have an impact on the over diet. I, on the hand, feel guilty anyway. I am going to limit it to a free "Meal" and still follow the plan as I do during the rest of the week with my other meals.

I am finally happy. I do believe the new Hardcore DVD's are physically changing me. I know diet is the other aspect but I overdid cardio and lifted medium weights before. I overkilled it if you know what I mean.
 
The core exercises are fantastic. I did Core workout #2 on Sunday and I swear I can see more definition already. I enjoyed it because there was such a variety of core work and it went so quickly.
 
Exactly what I was doing. I'm a pear shape and thought that I needed lots of cardio and lighter weights to slim down, but I was only getting bigger. These are the best results I've seen in literally 2-3 years. I have thought of trying the EFL plan. I'm a member at Ediets and they have that plan. I may give it a try.
 
I echo what Luna & RACH said! After 2 babies, I struggle to get the lower belly area back, too. I feel your pain! Off course, all this is easier said than done! LOL
Good Luck!
 
There is no way to "spot reduce" fat. They key is, keep up the aerobic work and reduce your caloric intake of about 500 less calories a day. Your body will natural recruite fat from various areas of your body for energy. Diet is very important to get rid of that stubborn fat. The RDA of fat intake from calories is about 20-35%. . You should try to stay around 15-20%. Also try to stay away from simple carbs. Reduce you calories and continue exercising and I promise you will see a difference. :)
 
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