Hello everyone!

I have a quick question about how to get rid of that little pouch. I've lost almost 25 pounds and no matter how much weight I lose it seems like it's never enough.

I started eating more veggies. Even started running. It's been almost two months and nothing. Any suggestions would be very helpful!

As you probably know, you can't 'spot' weight loss..You can however start toning the area with various ab exercises and once that belly weight does come off you may have some definition instead of flab. It just takes time

Pilates is great for that.

I've heard some that the "pooch" is an area we store short term fat, so that's good news

I've also heard it has to do with cortisol and stress management?

My understanding is that lower abdominal/pelvic fat is usually the very last to go. The reason being, that it's the part of the body that sees the least amount of motion, so as "emergency fat" it doesn't cost your body much to store (as opposed to your arms where it would take up energy swinging all day).

I pretty much cut a good 20-21 pounds off, and was in the stage of "skinny fat". Before hand I had focused more on cardio just to burn it off. I think if your last vestiges of fat are in that area, it's a good idea to take up strength training - particularly lifting. I shifted focus a week or two ago and I can start to see a slight difference in the upper area of my chest.

It's a pain in the butt, and by far the most belligerent stuff. Hang in there

-L89

Agreed with most of the points above. Alot of where you store fat is genetic. People have different body types and if you continue to lose, you will be a smaller version of what you currently are. This is where weight training comes in. Well, weight training and caloric deficit. Weight training is necessary because it can actually change one's shape. Caloric deficit is important because "toning" doesn't really exist. You can take fat and turn it into muscle. You develop muscle and lose the fat over it. That "toned" look isn't the muscle its being able to see the muscle you've developed. Abs are different on everyone. Some can see them at 22-24% [typically those with long torsos who don't store weight in their middle] and some have to wait until 14%.

i think it depends on what the pouch is, my pouch is mainly skin, from being obese and 2 pregnancies , so for me the only way is surgery (tummy tuck).

Stomach excercise will emphasis the pouch by putting more muscle behind it and pushing it out further, I was told cardio work and losing more weight would be the best way.

it's always the LAST to go for most guys + me, unfortunately. but it does go w/ consistency! my thighs & bum seem to slim down just fine, luckily. but my belly button area/love handles has more there. i'm an apple as opposed to a pear.



@ 180, i still have one. @ 160, it's completely gone, & i can see my adonis belt. pretty cool! but yea. the "f.u.p.a." isn't very sexy, though.

I've lost 40 in the past six months, and my lower belly area is still nearly the same. I have faith that it'll eventually go away, thought!

Completely off topic, but Lauren, where are you from? You look SO familiar.

Back on topic - stomach fat and I are not speaking right now. I've lost an inch off both my chest and hips, but only a half inch off of my waist and low-waist (where my pants sit).

Just looked at where you are from - I'm in the Hudson Valley too. Westchester.

- L89

Lurker, I'm across the river and up a little, in Orange County.

But I'm talking Lauren looks like a girl I went to high school with. Who is also named Lauren. Haha!

i agree with fitbyforty. try some pilates b/c it definitely works your core!