Tummy Slimming

I am 5'9 , 180 pounds and want to lose 30 of those. I have been speed walking on the treadmill 6 days a week, anywhere from 45 min to 1 hour for the last month. I totally see a difference in my legs and arms, but I don't in my stomach. Not that its huge, but I still look very bloated. What am I doing wrong? I always heard you lose in your tummy first. What can I do to speed it up, any suggestions?

Tue. Mar 14, 2:01am

I don't think the treadmill will do much for your tummy. You need some kind of ad crunching exercises or pilates that will strengthen your core muscles. Options abound!

Tuesday, March 14, 2006, 5:19 AM

Cardio, cardio, cardio!

You need to burn the fat before you'll see the results from the crunches. I don't think you should ban crunches all together. But, keep doing the cardio. Mix it up by doing a variety of things. You can do hill or speed intervals on the treadmill, the elliptical, stair climber, bike, classes, etc. Also, combine cardio with weight lifting. You'll definitely see results from that combination!

Tuesday, March 14, 2006, 8:19 AM

hold it in

my personal trainer said to pull your navel toward your spine and do it throughout the day, especially when working out. i really notice a difference when I do it on a regular basis. Also its great for your back too.

Tuesday, March 14, 2006, 9:26 AM

I am very slim, but still have a round-ish stomach. In the past week, I have also been trying to pull my stomach in (as the above poster mentioned) while I walk and run. I have already noticed a difference, so give it a try. Maybe tie something around your waist so you keep it in mind.

Tuesday, March 14, 2006, 10:22 AM

If I hold my stomach in while on the treadmill, my muscles are definitely sore the next day!

Do you speed-walk while holding on, or not? If you don't hold on, you'll be using your core muscles for stabilization, which is great for them!

Also, if you hold your stomach in whenever you think of it, you'll get in the habit, and it'll just become natural.

Tuesday, March 14, 2006, 10:54 AM

I don't hold on when I am on the treadmill. I pump my arms back and forth. I'll try some of the suggestions given to me. Thanks everyone!

OP

Tuesday, March 14, 2006, 11:31 AM

Talking about suck it in...
This commercial for a Thailand Tuna Fish company is hilarious!

Click on "Elevator 1, 2 or 3" to see the clip... :-)

http://www.fisho.com/sealect/index_tvc.php

Tuesday, March 14, 2006, 1:01 PM

definitely--tucking in the tummy whenever possible really helps!

Have you tried some hula-hooping as well? I think I posted a link on the "Workout Gear Finds" Thread regarding how to make your own hoops. (It's an interesting phenomena!)

Tuesday, March 14, 2006, 1:04 PM

Amen for tummy tucking! My physical therapist got me going when I was having back problems. Let me tell you, doing this 100 % of the time takes any activity to another level! Don't be surprised if you have to slow down while you walk for a bit while you adjust. He had me put both hands on my hips with my fingers pressed against my lower abdomen - then he said "cough! - now hold it!" The muscles that tightened up are the ones you want to be 'tucking'. Also remember to keep your shoulders back and down - almost like you're trying to squeeze something between your shoulder blades. After a little while neither of these will be 'work' anymore - you will just have terrific posture and nice abs :-)

Many of the pilates exercises will also help you really tighten up your core. Kudos on your progress to date!

Tuesday, March 14, 2006, 1:33 PM

Here's the direct link for the "Suck it In" Tuna commercial! :-)

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=555686173&n=2

Link

Tuesday, March 14, 2006, 2:40 PM

THAT is hilarious!

Tuesday, March 14, 2006, 8:52 PM

you should definetlely keep in mind that you can not lose any of your tummy by crunches or ab exercises if anything you are just making it bigger because you are building muscle underneath. You should definetely stick with cardio and sucking it in while doing so. Once you lose it you will be able to see the muscles tone and you should start working on ab exercises if you want a toned tummy.

Tuesday, March 14, 2006, 9:02 PM

I'm going to weigh in AGAINST doing cardio without also doing core strength workouts for the abdominal and deep back muscles. Your chance of injury is much higher if you do not strengthen the muscles that support your spine, including the abdominal muscles, at the same time you are increasing your overall fitness through cardio.

Wednesday, March 15, 2006, 10:16 AM

Original Poster! We have the same height, weight and goals!!!! I have been searching to find people with the same stats! Would you be interested in starting a group with ppl with the same stats?

Wednesday, March 15, 2006, 11:42 AM

Original Poster here, and yes, I'll join your group. Let me know which one.
Margo

Wednesday, March 15, 2006, 12:56 PM

To the OP,

I'm about the same weight as you, but much shorter, and have similar goals. :-) I also walk 40-80 minute sessions and have been working on endurance... I use a heart monitor to keep my heartrate up to aerobic levels.

I AM seeing the belly fat decrease, albeit slowly-- I keep pinching it and seeing the fat levels go down, but I'm definitely building a lot of muscle in my legs, which is contributing to slower overall weight loss....

I've been trying to do balance ball exercises, sucking it in, and hip hop dance (Dancing is an awesome work-out for the whole body, but I can definitely see lots of changes in my core...) Also, recently, I've been trying to balance on my balance ball-- which I understand works all of the core: abs, side and back muscles. I think the dancing has really strengthened my core, as I was able to almost balance on my ball yesterday with little wobbling! :-)

Wednesday, March 15, 2006, 5:40 PM

TurboJam. I have been using it for two weeks (thanks fleur) and it is exercising my midsection in a way that I have not before. Its all about mixing up the exercise.

Thursday, March 16, 2006, 12:38 PM

Get The Abs Diet book. Go to www.rodalebooks.com
To lose fat you have to do total body strenthening. If you focus on one are you will be dissapointed. Our bodies are whole units and need strong core muscles to be able to support.

Friday, March 17, 2006, 2:15 PM

Sorry correction-www.rodale.com

Friday, March 17, 2006, 2:17 PM

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