Ok, I don't think this will ever go away! I've lost 12 LB's, and my measurements have all gone down, except for my stomach bulge! Does anyone have ANY idea how to lose it? I've been doing lots of cardio, swimming and running, and such, but NOTHING! HELP!!!!!

Have you tried Pilates? People seem to swear by it when it comes to targeting your stomach. Since it focuses on your core muscles I don't see how you could go wrong. Stomach fat is always the hardest to lose, so you really need to target it. So they say, anyway. I have a long way to go with weight loss, but I've been doing Pilates and I've noticed the difference in my stomach already.

One thing to keep in mind is that one cannot exercise the lower part of your tummy because there is no muscle there. You can workout your abs but not your lower tummy. The best you can do is lose weight overall which should make your tummy shrink a bit.
The only other option---- surgery.

Thanks! I guess I'm kind of stuck with it... Darn it!!! I don't understand how people can have such flat stomachs, without surgery... I'm so jealous! Haha! My area where my lower stomach is...measures 37 inches.... I'm only 5' tall!!!!! so it's VERY obvious! That's why I was wondering if there was anything I could do....

I think it might just take time for you.
Keep doing the cardio and bring in some core exercises in as well.
Keep at it and burn the fat off.
You won't be able to see muscle if there is fat on top of it.

I have a really curved back which makes my lower stomach stick out even more and makes it look larger than it really is.

Its annoying but then again thats the body I have been given - no amount of ab toning has ever been able to flatten in >.< Not even when I was no more than 110 pounds (and I'm 5'6...so can anyone say "rake"??)

I did find that toning my obliques (the side stomach muscles) helped pull everything inward however and dancing has been really good as well.

Its really just a case of perserverence - mixing cardio and toning and being patient and remembering that not all body's were created the same.

Livi

Have you considered your diet as a factor?

I know that when I started South Beach Diet...you lose the belly, has something to do with the glycemic index....you lose the belly pooch.

Wow, thanks for all the info, and tips....

thanks for starting this thread. My pooch has 'side pooches' due to a botched C-section, so I'm pretty much facing surgery either way, but I want to do as much as I can to shrink it on my own first... I'm starting back on Pilates and jogging, and considering the Turbo Jam dvds after hearing alot of positive feedback on how much of a burn they put on your abs without lying on the floor, which is hard for me to do for extended periods with my back issues...

Have you tried the turbo jam? Or from the advertisement or from real people have you heard good things?

I think my belly flab is the 'last' fat. I'm about 7 or 8 lbs up right now and it's all right there. The 'one roll over/ one roll under' the hipster jeans? It's the very last few pounds that make much difference for my belly.
Somebody (or several somebodies) have told me that good abs are made in the kitchen.

I've read positive reviews here, e-pinions, and a Christian website where I'm starting to journal....

That is one of my big issues as well. I Actually had a lady not too long ago ask me when i was Due. Im not pregnant. I just started the south beach diet, but im not 100% sure im doing it right. There are so many things out there, i dont know what i can have. Is there an easy way to figuer it out?

I agree with what the ladies said about eating good foods and getting lots of cardio. I would check out the book "the abs diet" -- bascially you limit things like dairy and a few other food groups that are especially bad in terms of depositing fat in your midsection. the idea is that to have a super flat stomach, you can't just be eating under 1500 calories/day (if that's your target) -- those foods have to be whole foods, not frozen yogurt, cookies, and other empty carbs. It's tough! I have lost 45 pounds and i am still battling my stomach pooch, so don't get discouraged if it doesn't go away immediately! personally, i really notice my stomach tightening up when i do ab excercises with weights (without just doesn't work my abs enough) or when i start mixing in some different pilates excercise on an excercise ball. also, i try to avoid drinking lots of milk and diet sodas because they make me bloated.

I had an abdominal surgery in February and have trouble doing crunches and such, so working out that area is really hard. That's why I wondered if there was another way to do it....