Can't lose the fat, don't know what to do...

[LonelyFace]

I've been trying to lose weight and get in better shape and all that for 2 years now and I still haven't seen the results I want.

I know for a fact I'm definitely in better shape than I've ever been before, but I'm still not satisfied because I've never been able to get rid of the fat in three specific areas of my body: my lower abdominal area (from my belly button to my waist), my hips/butt, and my lower chest. No matter what I do, it always just stays there and I can feel it just sitting there, getting bigger, even though I'm working out and doing cardio like crazy (one of my friends keeps telling me that I'm OVER-training, which I can't understand because the fat isn't going away!).


My goal is just to get a body like the one in this photo: http://www.justusboys.com/chaos_men-amateur_hunk_hayden_5_15325_7.jpg

I don't even care about getting a six pack because I'm having so much trouble just getting a flat belly and I feel like having a six pack is something I'll never be able to obtain (much less a flat stomach).

I've been doing everything I can think of to lose this weight (it's probably just a mere 5-10 lbs) and still I'm seeing NO RESULTS. I don't know what to do. This is really stressing me out and I seriously feel like I'm losing my mind; this fat issue is making me crazy.

I'm not trying to be a drama whore and start a pity party or anything; I just want to know if there's anybody out there who's having the same problems as me (or anybody who USED to be in the same boat) or if anyone has any suggestions that'll help me because I'm at my wit's end and I've been really depressed over this and I could really use some support from someone who knows where I'm coming from.

Thanks in advance.

P.S.: If you want me to get specific with my current workout routine and eating habits, just let me know and I'll post the info.

 

[birddog7]

Believe you me, I know EXACTLY how you feel. Some of us just don't have that body type, and there's not much we can do about it. I envy those with a "models" body type so badly.

By all means do what you can to be healthy, but it would be good if you can accept yourself the way you are. I know, much easier said than done. Read my thread about my own battle with this demon, in the "hot topics" section.

I'm 49, but have the mentality of a 20 year old, and I want that 20 year old body to go with it. It's mental torture to feel trapped like that.

I wish you well in your quest to overcome this.

 

[youngnihilist]

Not everyone has the genetics for a six pack (as you noted) or even the body that you displayed a picture of. Even at a very young age. It's the way it goes. You are not alone.

 

[KaraBulut]

Can you post a pictures of your "before" and where you are now?

 

[hanzosword]

Hey Lonelyface, I know a little about fitness and I know you are doing cardio, but that's not always enough. It sounds like your body needs something really intense like some strength training. You could use dumbbells and do push ups to build your muscles. It's the muscles on your body that burns fat 24/7 and so it can burn more than cardio alone.

Including strength training you have to eat lots of healthy foods and little to no fast food and junk food if you can. There is a type of cardio called high intensity interval training that works really fast. There are videos showing you how it's done on youtube. I like to do it on a treadmill and it takes about 20 minutes. It's way better than running or doing some other type of cardio for an hour. You can burn many more calories by shocking your body by going from a slow pace to a really fast pace over and over.

Good luck to you and I know you can lose those unwanted pounds.

 

[palemale]

No matter how much you train, if your diet is not good, you will retain the fat. I suggest two things. First, limit your carb intake. Stop eating bread, or eat it very sparingly. Also, stop eating pasta. Don't eat processed junk foo. Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables, as well as nuts, and drink plenty of water. Second, increase your weight training. Continue to do cardio, just not at the expense of weight training. When you add muscle mass, your body consumes more calories and will burn more fact, even when you are not exercising.

I've tried to follow this regimen for a few years. I occasionally eat bread and pastries, but only a couple of times a week. I weight train, but do limited cardio. I'm 50 yrs old, 5'10.5", weigh in at about 150lbs, and have a 30" waist. I look in good health because I am lean/muscular. People are surprised I weigh as little as I do because I have some muscle mass (and a big ass).

 

[somedude987]

Join a recreational soccer league. As long as you take the game seriously enough (push yourself), it'll trim you up in no time. It's basically "high interval training" but it's a sport so you have that competitive drive and it's fun too. Start off with indoor soccer.

But you also might have some unrealistic ideas about bellies. People suck it in for the camera. I'm sure that guy is doing it--just from how he's standing you'd have to tense your abs. Even with 0% body fat (which is pretty much the only time you'll see your full six-pack), bellies aren't flat if you're totally relaxing the muscles. You could always try to consciously improve your posture. Maybe your abs are too relaxed because your center of gravity is a bit off, or your back is too tense, or not tense enough, or your shoulders are too far forward, or anything really. That's something to consider at least.

 

[Nomenclature]

I'd suggest talking to a dietician and/or your doctor, and keeping a food journal: count every calorie you consume and burn.

You should definitely find out what your basal metabolic rate is. I THINK they do that by checking your thyroid, i'm not sure. But that should definitely help.

 

[turnandburn]

I've been trying to lose some weight as well for a while now and CANNOT seem to see any difference in my appearance. I did recently start using the P90X and shaun T insanity discs out in my shed 3 times a week. bought a cheap punching back that i also use and have actually lost a couple pounds in just a couple of weeks (eating healthy helps too. I dropped all fast food and soda, just those two make a huge difference). I cant say that i "look" different on the outside but i the scale shows that its working. a trainer friend of mine says it can take up to 30 days to actually show any results.

Sorry about the long message but i would recommended that just based on personal experience.

 

[LonelyFace]

Just as an update, since I haven't been on in a while (adjusting to university life--much different from community college life), I've noticed that for ME, the key is to do cardio every day and to work on an abs routine frequently. My problem is that I don't always follow through with that. I've gotten a lot better about it lately, but I'm still a bit lacking, I guess. I know I just need to be dedicated and stick with it, and evenually I'll reach my goal!

Also, I have cut soda out of my diet completely, and I try not to eat fast food if I can avoid it (which, thankfully, is quite often), which I think helped. I feel like I've become quite a health nut, really, in terms of my eating habits, and my friends think I'm kinda weird for that, but I don't care. I know that there's still VAST room for improvement, and I'm getting closer to that goal every day.

 

[maxpowr9]

I feel a bit funny how I lost all my weight. I played DDR . I was about 210lbs my Freshmen year in college and by the end of my sophomore year, I was 165lbs (mind you I'm 6'3"). Went from a 38" waist to a 32". My ideal weight is around 170lbs but I'm sitting around 175 (probably because of the drinking). The only big problem is I did all cardio and basically no weights so I have all this dangling skin now and it sucks.

 

[palemale]

Just as an update, since I haven't been on in a while (adjusting to university life--much different from community college life), I've noticed that for ME, the key is to do cardio every day and to work on an abs routine frequently. My problem is that I don't always follow through with that. I've gotten a lot better about it lately, but I'm still a bit lacking, I guess. I know I just need to be dedicated and stick with it, and evenually I'll reach my goal!

Also, I have cut soda out of my diet completely, and I try not to eat fast food if I can avoid it (which, thankfully, is quite often), which I think helped. I feel like I've become quite a health nut, really, in terms of my eating habits, and my friends think I'm kinda weird for that, but I don't care. I know that there's still VAST room for improvement, and I'm getting closer to that goal every day.

Has your body changed much since you started your new diet? I'd do less cardio and add in some weight training. You can also hit the abs by training other parts of the body. For example, if you do curls while standing on one leg (alternating the legs each set, of course), you will be working your abs and your core, and building muscle mass in your biceps. You could also do the same thing, but do the curl, than military press with the bar bells (i.e. over the head), while standing on one leg. Pushups will also work your pecs and your abs if you do them correctly.

 

[LonelyFace]

I think I've gotten in better shape, and I personally think I'm a bit better looking.

I do weight training every monday, wednesday, and friday.

I'm probably not doing pushups correctly, then. I NEVER feel any burn anywhere other than my shoulders when I do pushups.