Frustrated!!!

[Missy]

Ok folks I seem to be losing weight everywhere but my belly and I am at the end of my rope.. Any ideas???

[Zima]

What's your current nutrition like? What are your stats? How active are you?

[Jcannon98188]

As far as I know, there is nothing you can do. 'Targeting' areas for fat reduction is a myth. All you can do it keep working out, and the fat will melt away and be replaced by muscle.

[Ryan Sannar]

What are you eating. This area is where the insulin response tends to deposit fat first and as such it also tends to be the last to go. You can speed that up by cutting out any insulin response you can.

[Jcannon98188]

What are you eating. This area is where the insulin response tends to deposit fat first and as such it also tends to be the last to go. You can speed that up by cutting out any insulin response you can.

And I stand corrected. Learn something new every day (And this totally explains why, as a diabetic, my stomach is the only part of my body with any body fat on it. at all)

[Gainsdalf the Whey]

My belly is the last place for it to leave and the first place it goes. I lost 15 lb then gained it back this year, and my belly has a larger portion of that from before. The only thing I've heard that helps is that the insulin spikes caused by carbs is one thing that tends to make fat get stored in the belly, upper thighs, and rear. You could cut them back if you already haven't and see if it helps.

edit: Ryan beat me, that's what happens hen I open 10 topics and forget to reload before posting as I work through them.

[joeyb]

Well, if you're losing weight, then you are losing fat in other areas. I wouldn't be too worried about it. Just keep working at it and you'll be there before you know it.

[Ryan Sannar]

Also liposuction is always a posibility.

[Trad_Climb]

Liposuction in that area: $1,500 - $5,000.... totally worth it!

[Missy]

Lipo requires money which is extremely tight lol and ive been on a Paleo diet for almost a month now.. I work ou t 4 days a week weith yoga on my off days and i have 4 kids who keep me going all day.. Hence my belly

[Ryan Sannar]

Sleep?

What do you eat, just saying Paleo isn't clear enough.

Stress?

[Cassia Randall]

Speaking for myself, in the past when I've been reasonably skinny, I always still had a flabby lower belly that wrecked my silouette. It wasn't fat, really, it was just soft muscles, as I wasn't using my lower abs/lower back properly (leading to TERRIBLE technique and injuries, naturally). It's only now that I am doing proper deadlifting/squatting technique that my lower back/abs are tightening up.

So... does your lower back ache at all? do you find your butt sticks out when you look at yourself side-face? Might be a weak lower back/abs.

[Missy]

Usually have eggs, chicken, or even fish for breakfast with varied friut and veggies.. My other meals are basically the same and I'll snack on almonds.

And yes my lower belly is the issue, my back hurts sometimes and my butt sticks out but i thought it was normal its always been like that..

[Cassia Randall]

I realized "butt sticking out" is the worst description ever, since... you know.. butts are known for that.

SO!

Look at this article: http://sqoatz.blogspot.ca/2009/01/lordosis-why-it-causes-lower-back-pain.html

See how the lower belly kinda sticks out and is all flabby? Thats what I noticed in myself. Maybe you've got the same problem. The fun part is that you can do "lower back strengthening exercises" without actually hitting your lower back, because habit has taught the body to compensate for it's weakness. It might take practice to learn how to activate the proper mucles, like you can tense a bicep on command. I have learned to sort of... visualize a zipper going up from my groin to belly button, and up the back of hips along the spine. If you follow me. Still not perfect, but getting there.

The plus side, is that if this IS your issue, and you fix it, you are going to be delighted. Your back wont hurt. You will be taller. You'll have better balance. You'll be stronger. You will be able to bend farther. And, best of all, your figure will look amazing. The key to an athletic looking body - a strong lower spine. Go figure.

[Missy]

Checked it out im gonna give it a shot hun ty

[Georges]

3 P's

Posture (or, in other words, what Cassia Randall recommended)

Planks (they will help with the posture and you will feel better when your torso is stronger)

Patience (sorry. no one want's to hear that one. but looking at the progress you had already made when you joined NF, plus the progress you've made since then, it looks like you are doing effing AWESOME!)

You've got this. You came in knowing that consistency was going to be you're biggest challenge, and you're still here. This is the life change that lasts, and even though the price of that is slower progress, the lasting benefits are worth it.

[Ryan Sannar]

Stop eating fruit. It's natures candy. Only meat and vegetables.

[GingerWarrior]

As an added thing, I forget where I heard this from, but apparently one usually loses where they last gained first and where they first gained last. This could just be an old wives' tale, but it seems to be true for me.

[Avalon]

Is it sub-cutaneous or visceral fat?

Check this out: belly fat!

It's likely a combination of both, if you've been paleo for only a month, but be aware that visceral fat might also be causing some of your back pain. See in the pic how it can rest between the spine and the main organ sack? Not cool, having any kind of pressure there can cause you to hunch or tuck your pelvis or do any number of other compensatory movements that can damage your posture and plenty other stuff besides.

You're on the right track with the losing fat all over, but your visceral fat is largely controlled by your insulin response. Translation: Ryan and Corey have it pegged. Check your sugar intake (ALL sugar, including fructose) and make sure you're sleeping plenty. Sub-cutaneous fat tends to take care of itself as you shed it all over your body, so not too much to worry about there.

Have faith in the process, this is just the beginning. YOU'VE GOT THIS. **fist bump**

[Waldo]

Ok folks I seem to be losing weight everywhere but my belly and I am at the end of my rope.. Any ideas???

What would happen if you actually reached the end of your rope and you did something about it?

Giving up?

This means that you are temporarily inconviencing yourself and not making permanent lifestyle change; any progress you make will likewise only be temporary. Losing weight is the easy part.

[Elastigirl]

4 weeks really isn't that long. You are losing weight, so progress is being made. But it just takes time. Keep eating right, doing muscle building exercises and sleep and it will happen. And then you will still have to keep doing the same stuff or your belly fat will quickly reappear.

[LordOfTime]

I have that same problem :/

[shortstuff]

I don't know how true it is, but I hear where you want to lose the most fat is where your are going to lose it last, or something like that.

[azsf]

seconding elastigirl. body recomposition takes time. afterall, you didn't grow that belly in a almost a month. focus on the fitness; the strength gains, the stamina gains, feeling energized, and let the aesthetics come in gradually.

[Church]

I agree. All of my research, and a lovely young lady I used to work with, has shown me that pelvic tilt can cause these issues, where the lower belly and bum sort of stick out too much, one in compensation for the other, all cause by imbalances in the abs, lower back and possible tight muscles in the hips.

In addition to planks (I like the Rolling Plank of Doom, and not only because it's fun to say) I recommend kettlebell swings, or the dumbbell alternative.

And I've always believed, and been told, that working out to achieve function over form is the best, most efficient course of action. And the most beneficial, because not only will you have to physique you want, but it'll be functional too

And I'll definitely have to look into this insulin response stuff. It sounds fascinating.