I am size 8. I workout to your dvd's 5 days a week in addititon to running and biking and still can't get rid of my lower belly. the upper looks pretty good its just the portion around my navel. HELP! I have had two children but that was a long time ago. Is it possible to get a flat stomach agin.
the pouch / belly fat
- Thread starter miller44
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Nadja Z
Cathlete
Not Cathe here, but-
How are you eating? I found that when I made the switch to eating 'clean', it made a big difference in my lower abs. I've always eaten healthy; the biggest change for me was switching out some starchy carbs for more fruits and veggies and cutting out the processed stuff (well, most of it
). I still eat plenty of carbs btw, just not what I think of as 'the fluffy kind'.
I'm exercising less than I ever have. I'm post-injury right now which means no cardio (used to be 4 hrs/week) and some pretty wimpy weight training. But my muscle definition -especially my lower abs- is better than ever, simply because of my eating. No difference in calories, unless you count the ones I'm not expending- just what kind of calories I'm eating. It's a little bit of a mystery to me, but hey, I'll take it. Hope that helps!
Nadja
How are you eating? I found that when I made the switch to eating 'clean', it made a big difference in my lower abs. I've always eaten healthy; the biggest change for me was switching out some starchy carbs for more fruits and veggies and cutting out the processed stuff (well, most of it
). I still eat plenty of carbs btw, just not what I think of as 'the fluffy kind'.I'm exercising less than I ever have. I'm post-injury right now which means no cardio (used to be 4 hrs/week) and some pretty wimpy weight training. But my muscle definition -especially my lower abs- is better than ever, simply because of my eating. No difference in calories, unless you count the ones I'm not expending- just what kind of calories I'm eating. It's a little bit of a mystery to me, but hey, I'll take it. Hope that helps!
Nadja
melanalyus
Cathlete
Nadja says it all.
The ONLY time in my entire life that my abs are flat is when I"m eating clean. I've tried to stay with South Beach Diet---which is a lifetime choice of foods---not really a "diet".
I'm also a size 8, slim hips so when I gain wait (in my belly) I look pregnant. I'd suggest at least reading South Beach Diet & learning what type of foods can make/dwindle your waist line.
The ONLY time in my entire life that my abs are flat is when I"m eating clean. I've tried to stay with South Beach Diet---which is a lifetime choice of foods---not really a "diet".
I'm also a size 8, slim hips so when I gain wait (in my belly) I look pregnant. I'd suggest at least reading South Beach Diet & learning what type of foods can make/dwindle your waist line.
gettingfitmom
Cathlete
Nadja: Curious: what do you consider "fluffy" carbs. I have the lower pooch, consider myself a somewhat healthy eater... downfall is snacks(love chips of all kinds) Any ideas for good snacks? Thanks,Kay
melanalyus
Cathlete
Fluffy carbs are the anything white: white rice, white flower, white bread, sugar, potatoes, etcetra...
Good carbs are anything brown & heavy: brown rice, heavy wheat bread (unenriched), brown noodles. Basically carbs with high fiber content.
I hope you don't mind me answering, I'm not Nanja.
Good carbs are anything brown & heavy: brown rice, heavy wheat bread (unenriched), brown noodles. Basically carbs with high fiber content.
I hope you don't mind me answering, I'm not Nanja.
fitover40
Cathlete
I've recently discovered Kashi Pumpkin Spice Flax crunchy bars. It helps satisfy that crunch craving and they taste really good. There are 2 bars per individual pkg and I spread them out to 2 different servings (ie. I don't go hog wild as it's moderation for everything).
aveggiegirl
Cathlete
Soynuts are great too! I like to eat them whenever I want something crunchy and salty.
Nadja Z
Cathlete
I've always been really healthy too, we never had white bread or rice growing up. For me, "fluffy" actually refers to (good) things like bread, pasta and cereal. Nonfluffy would be brown rice, squash, sweet potatoes, and nuts, fruits, and veggies of course. I'm a little confused myself since it's not straight complex vs. simple or starchy vs. nonstarchy, but it seems to work for me. Instead of having bread at every meal I view it more as a treat in one or two meals (of my five a day).
I used to be the queen of snacking, not even snacking, nibbling actually. I could nibble an entire meals' worth without even realizing it. Since I started the 5 meals though, it feels like I'm always eating so I just don't want to. Or when I get the urge to 'graze' I realize it's time for a meal anyway, so I get out the whole enchilada and chow down. Works great for me. It's the first time I don't feel mentally imprisoned by food and planning.
Nadja Z
Cathlete
Oh, some snacks I like:
Carrots-don't actually love them, but the I need the crunchiness when I'm working late at the computer.
Fruit- sounds silly, cause I don't really like fruit either, but forcing myself to eat some does kill the craving
A couple things I love to eat that are almost minimeals themselves:
I call it "Lazy Girl Waldorf". Chop an apple, add a box of raisins and a spoonful of mayo. Yum. (Most people don't consider mayo clean, but I try to focus on the omega 3's
)Again, chop apple. Mix a little oatmeal, cinnamon, nutmeg, honey (or maple syrup, or whatever you use for sugar/sweetener) and just enough water to make it goopy. Cover apples in baking dish with oatmeal mixture. Bake at 350.
Hope that helps. Again, I mostly focus on turning my urge to snack into just eating a small meal. I don't really have any good chip alternatives, the only thing I can do is keep them out of the house, otherwise it's all over. (Especially those Hint o' Lime Tostitos *drool*)
nspire
Cathlete
excuse my jumping in but Nadja can you give us a sample of what you daily menu looks like? Also when starting w/South Beach, did you do the 10 day no fruit? I too eat pretty healthy but I notice I snack alot too which is my downfall. I have a muscular build but it's covered by fat and I would really like to get lean.
RapidBreath
Cathlete
Make sure its just fat
You could have some damage to your muscles from the pregnancies. This is not uncommon. You may want to have your doctor check you out.
Do consider giving up the fruit for a short time. You may find that its not as hard as it sounds. What works for me is 2 hard boiled eggs in the am pre workout (you don't have to do that I don't perform well without something.)
Then usually walnuts or almonds for snack. 1 cup salad greens, 1 tomato, chicken, parmesan cheese (not really clean is it?) for mid morning meal. I also like 1/4 cup of jicama sliced, I carry it with me. Some home made chili for dinner. My chili is a little more waistline friendly. I add diced summer squash, mushrooms and celery. I pre make it on Sunday and just use a one cup scoop to keep portion under control. I get my carbs from veggies.
15 minutes of deep breathing/yoga before bed can really help.
You could have some damage to your muscles from the pregnancies. This is not uncommon. You may want to have your doctor check you out.
Do consider giving up the fruit for a short time. You may find that its not as hard as it sounds. What works for me is 2 hard boiled eggs in the am pre workout (you don't have to do that I don't perform well without something.)
Then usually walnuts or almonds for snack. 1 cup salad greens, 1 tomato, chicken, parmesan cheese (not really clean is it?) for mid morning meal. I also like 1/4 cup of jicama sliced, I carry it with me. Some home made chili for dinner. My chili is a little more waistline friendly. I add diced summer squash, mushrooms and celery. I pre make it on Sunday and just use a one cup scoop to keep portion under control. I get my carbs from veggies.
15 minutes of deep breathing/yoga before bed can really help.
nightowl81
Cathlete
There are soy chips and mini rice cakes..they come in chip flavors (bbq, onion, cheese, etc), but of course you can't get carried away eating too many. I used to eat these alot to help get pass the cravings and would portion them out to 20 chips in little lunch/snack bags.