I think this is a hopeless question, but....

[mrsklamc]

I've been excercising regularly- aerobics and strength training. Watching what I eat. Lots of extra flab is gone from my arms and legs and I feel great.

But my waistline just will not shrink. The friend who 'coaches' me says 'you and everyone else.' Every reliable source I can find says you can't spot reduce. Can anyone suggest anything? Or at least reassure me that it has to go down eventually?

 

[deekaypee]

While I don't think you can spot reduce, I do think you can tone and build muscle in various parts of your body. If you're interested in your waistline/abs/core, I highly recommend Pilates. Over on the WISH Events/Competition forum, we have our resident expert, AmyBeth--she's a trainer. She recommended the DVD Pilates for Dummies if you can't get to a class. I have the DVD, and I love it! I'm seeing results in my stomach (although I've got a ways to go for any definition! ) and in flexibility. I say, definitely give Pilates a try!

There's also a group of exercises that AmyBeth posted on the Stronger, More Defined Core thread. Check out her suggestions on pages 5 and 6 of the thread in particular!

 

[mrsklamc]

Thank you SO much!!! It is so frustrating to feel like you are doing everything you can and not making any progress!!! (as I'm sure everyone here knows!)

 

[windwalker]

Thank you SO much!!! It is so frustrating to feel like you are doing everything you can and not making any progress!!! (as I'm sure everyone here knows!)

Debra gave some good advice. Please join us on the Events Section if you want to. We have a lot of discussion about exercise, especially in preparing for an event like the Tower of Terror walk/run or the marathon weekend.

Endurance training uses the stored energy from the fat cells. Yes we tend to retain the most around the middle and it is the hardest for the body to let go of.

One good way to look at it is that you have to communicate with your body. It is a survival system and tends to store for hard times. You have to convience it that life is good and there are no lean times ahead. You do this by eating regular small meals of low fat options.

Walking Panda

 

[kaf7878]

From everything I've read reducing tummy fat is very dependent on a "clean" diet--low sugar, low fat, low carb. I, too, exercise a lot but my stomach stays put!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

As already recommended, Pilates will help with toning in the waistline area. It is also a critical exercise to perform for all of our daily activities.

Don't give up, as you stick to the healthy lifestyle change you will see change.

 

[HockeyKat]

I seem to have the opposite problem... my stomach, hips, legs, thighs are decreasing (lost 6" around my waist), but my arms stay big and somewhat flabby.

I do a LOT of cardio (probably average 45-60 min a day, elliptical/arc trainer and/or ice hockey), "core" workouts (either crunches on the ball or other core machines at the gym) 4-5 times a week, and 2 days of all-around weight training. And I keep my calories at or around 1200, and protein high, carbs around 100-150g a day.

Oh, and I drink TONS of plain water.