Hi Ladies!

My problem area is my stomach and it hinders my ability to do some of the exercises my trainer gives me. I know I can't spot reduce. When did you notice the weight in your stomach really reducing? I notice that my 'muffin top' has gone down and I am losing my pants now. I lost 13lbs in 23days which I am so happy about but I know I have a LONG way to go.

I am counting calories as well as no sugar except for some fruits and whole grains. I exercise 5-6 days a week for 90mins and 3 of those days are just cardio.

I know there really isn't a right answer, I guess I am just frustrated that I can't do some things yet and I really hate watching myself in the mirror at the gym, especially sitting on a bench doing weights.

All I can say is time and patience. I'm an apple myself and my stomach seems to go down soooo sloooowly and remains my problem area. I can still wear many of the same shirts I bought when I was 40 pounds heavier (they fit me better, but I'm barely able to wear the next size down). The rest of me could definitely wear a smaller size if it weren't for my stomach being in the way (my jeans will be extra tight in the waist but extremely baggy in the butt and thighs, for example). It gets in my way at other times too, like when I need to bend over to tie my shoes or something. But it does gets easier over time.

Thank you for your response one thing I am not is patient LOL! But I am learning and I know I am doing things right.

Congrats on the fantastic weight loss!! WOW!!

I have heard that it comes off in the opposite order of how it came on. This is true for me. I gain last in my stomach and lose first there. My butt and hips, however, will remain huge until I am at about 130. I am trying to lift heavy weights in the hope I will not need to be that thin to look 'normal,' though.

I dont really have any advice, just wanted to say you are not alone!! I am an apple too, I also have this intriguing extra wedge of fat on my hips that I refer to as my inflatable ring. So I am the proud owner of a top belly, bottom belly and inflatable ring. I tend to lose off the top belly first, bottom belly and inflatable ring take forever and ever!! Well done on your weight loss, your doing great!!

It's different for everyone, but I started noticing a definite decrease around 220. I still have a hard time with pants though - everything is loose all over except for my belly. :/

I do see a difference in my belly but I know it's always going to be an issue until I get to goal. Now it's fat but eventually it will be looe skin. I would much rather the loose skin than the fat though!!

It IS frustrating and I wish I could say as a fellow apple exercises will be easier on X day, but just like Elladorine says it gets easier...and then one day it's just something you forgot was hard. You'll get there and generally us apples have great legs!

Just be patient. I'm a pear and gained pretty evenly all over my body. when the weight started to come off, my belly lagged behind a bit. Now it's as flat as I can expect for someone who is still a bit overweight, but it's WAY flatter than it used to be. I even think it's flatter than I hoped it would be. I was over 250 for 25 years. Thar's a lot of stretched skin to deal with. Give it time. You're off to a great start.

Lin

I'm down 30 lbs so far and the belly's about the only thing still stubbornly refusing to shrink :/ It's awkward because I've been doing ab exercises and can feel the muscles under the pudge, but the fat just won't go away.

SerenityDiva: I agree!! Our legs are fabulous!! they are NOT my problem area that's for sure! My arms are not that bad either but I think I will have small bat wings when I lose the fat there.

I guess I should be happy that I am improving my flexibility and stamina in other areas, leg raises are much easier now so I know I am building muscle in my abs under the fat.

Dragonfly - I think you've got the right idea: keep building up the muscles so that once the fat is gone you will look fabulous! As far as where it comes off, I think it's true that it depends on the order in which it went on, which is likely influenced by genetics. I, like most of the women in my family, am pear shaped and as a result my legs probably will be the last thing to seriously shrink.