Every workout routine/program I've gotten from the personal trainers at my gym involve A LOT of cardio. I'm a naturally thin person, and have been my entire life. If I do consistent cardio for a month, I drop about 10lbs. On a 5'5"/118lb frame - I look sick when I drop the 10lbs. And it takes FOREVER for me to gain it back. However, it's the only way I can keep that little "pooch" away that I've had my entire life. How can I keep a flat stomach without making myself look emaciated in the process? I'm not looking for clear "6 pack" definition, I'd just like to stay rid of the little bit of excess.
Help! Cardio dislikes me greatly!
- Thread starter halikini
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tell them you just want to do weights, strength training and no cardio.....If you eat well, you will build muscle.....
I already have an extremely weight/strength training oriented routine. It just kind of sucks that my arms, shoulders, back and legs are so nicely toned and sculpted and my stomach is just kind of "blah" - you can see the definition a little there, but it's just not flat. I've been told cardio is key to a flat stomach, but cardio and my super fast metabolism just don't agree with one another.
(and yes, I am a girl)
(and yes, I am a girl)
People suggest cardio because they think it is the fastest way to lose fat, and fat is what you have to lose if you want to see muscle, BUT you can gain muscle and (in a sense) that will burn fat as well...so, you can essentially get rid of the fat, without necessarily having to do cardio.
Maybe upping your intensity will help?......
and
if you have no abs to show; they won't show
How much lifting do you do with your abs. Develop the muscle to show, veerses eliminating the fat to show something that isn't there.
I am well over 13, 14 maybe even 15% and I still have abs that show. They are big muscles that I took the time to build.
Most people, like NL said, only think about taking the fat off. BUT- building the muscle is very effective too.
just trying to help ya with another idea.
maybe you can get lipo if you don't want to work for it
heheehehe
FF'in on ya!
if you have no abs to show; they won't show
How much lifting do you do with your abs. Develop the muscle to show, veerses eliminating the fat to show something that isn't there.
I am well over 13, 14 maybe even 15% and I still have abs that show. They are big muscles that I took the time to build.
Most people, like NL said, only think about taking the fat off. BUT- building the muscle is very effective too.
just trying to help ya with another idea.
maybe you can get lipo if you don't want to work for it
heheeheheFF'in on ya!
what's bumming me out is i DO have the abs there. from playing high school sports, and staying steady at the gym after graduating HS almost 8 years ago, my core area is great. it's not much of a "pooch" (not like a "baby bump"), it's close to flat as a sheet of paper, but it's enough to be frustrating.
over the past few weeks, i have upped the intensity of my entire workout, sort of my last ditch effort before i have to take out a small loan to get a trainer for more than just one or two sessions (they are NOT cheap where i live)
over the past few weeks, i have upped the intensity of my entire workout, sort of my last ditch effort before i have to take out a small loan to get a trainer for more than just one or two sessions (they are NOT cheap where i live)
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But you need to do at least some regular cardio for HEALTH reasons, forgetting about appearance for a moment.
i walk 5-10 miles at least 5 days a week in the colder months with my dog, and in the warmer months, we usually run about 6, so cardio for health isn't a concern.
as for core exercises, i'm doing a lot of various crunches, sit-ups (w/weighted balls and w/out). i'm also using the machine that you hang from and pull your legs up and a few other ab machines - not sure of the technical names for them, you think i would after 8 years at the gym.
how do you post pics on here?
as for core exercises, i'm doing a lot of various crunches, sit-ups (w/weighted balls and w/out). i'm also using the machine that you hang from and pull your legs up and a few other ab machines - not sure of the technical names for them, you think i would after 8 years at the gym.
how do you post pics on here?
Weight lifting can be cardio, but to a large extent, I would tend to agree with you here. Just don't discount the fact that lifting big heavy objects does actually tax your CV system
Okay, so here's a pic. The "pooch" in the navel area specifically...
And in general, the fat burn doesn't concern me as much as strength building and toning. I have a very small frame, and my metabolism has always been crazy fast (but I don't have hyperthyroidism, been tested). Too much concentration of exercises on "fat burn" makes me drop pounds like crazy, and I look horrible if I get below the 118/120 I generally am and it takes me months to gain the pounds back that I lose. My big thing is the "jiggle" as I've come to call it. I've had it for as long as I can remember and just wondered if there were workouts I could to to diminish it that didn't involve the rest of my body losing weight.
And in general, the fat burn doesn't concern me as much as strength building and toning. I have a very small frame, and my metabolism has always been crazy fast (but I don't have hyperthyroidism, been tested). Too much concentration of exercises on "fat burn" makes me drop pounds like crazy, and I look horrible if I get below the 118/120 I generally am and it takes me months to gain the pounds back that I lose. My big thing is the "jiggle" as I've come to call it. I've had it for as long as I can remember and just wondered if there were workouts I could to to diminish it that didn't involve the rest of my body losing weight.
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What does your diet look like during those times where you are doing A LOT of cardio? Could be that you are not eating nearly enough, and your body is having to burn fat and muscle in order to meet the energy demands you are putting on your body.
My guess is that you really increase your aerobic activity (are you doing the walks/running with your dog AND doing the cardio at the gym?) but don't increase the calories in your diet causing too large of a caloric deficit. I'd be curious to hear.
My guess is that you really increase your aerobic activity (are you doing the walks/running with your dog AND doing the cardio at the gym?) but don't increase the calories in your diet causing too large of a caloric deficit. I'd be curious to hear.
My daily caloric intake is between 2200-2500 calories a day. I have to eat a lot to maintain the little bit of weight that I do have on me, and gaining weight seems nearly impossible for me as I've tried everything. I'm okay now with my frame, I've just always wanted to get rid of the jiggly pooch I've had for as long as I can remember.
BUT it seems that when I do the cardio that everyone tells me to do to lose that pooch, not only do I get the flat stomach, but I shed weight everywhere else too and look sickly. I've seen a nutritionist about my diet and maintaining my weight when I do the cardio (aside from walking or running w/my dog daily), but I always have the same end result. Flat stomach, and I look emaciated.
BUT it seems that when I do the cardio that everyone tells me to do to lose that pooch, not only do I get the flat stomach, but I shed weight everywhere else too and look sickly. I've seen a nutritionist about my diet and maintaining my weight when I do the cardio (aside from walking or running w/my dog daily), but I always have the same end result. Flat stomach, and I look emaciated.
Just a tip... Drink lots of water and eat a healthy breakfast( most important meal of day. People say thOse who drink lots of water ad eat breakfast have a healthier body weight. Obviously this does not take the place of a good workout, just a few things that may be an extra advantage. P.s. I have the same problem
If I could guarantee to my clients that I could get them a stomach like yours there is no limit to the amount of money they would pay me. Your personal trainers should be saying the same instead of telling you they can help just so they can take your money.
Honestly if you really want to get the *fat* off your stomach, and you know you can't spot reduce, and you do have to lose it all over, the only other thing I can think of is that you would have to micro manage your diet. Look at what the percentages are of your P/C/F.
Since your diet is clean(I'm assuming), manipulating that and finding your perfect balance, is about the only other thing I can think of you doing......
I took a food science/nutrition class back in college, and I've used a nutritionist in my local area to get me on the "healthy" track, so I'm really conscious of what I eat - however, I may not be conscious enough. Need to find the balance like you say.
I wish there was a way to spot manage though because I'm about 115/120lbs and am 5'5", which is skinny and I've been that way my whole life (thyroid has been checked). Losing weight really isn't an option.
Do you mean my stomach?