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Thread: very very stubborn fat *pics*

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    Featured Member K Sweet's Avatar
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    Default very very stubborn fat *pics*

    I'm 115lbs, 5'1" and a natural D cup. I have an atletic build and much of my weight is muscle. My arms and thighs don't really have any fat on them but I totally have a pouch on my stomach.

    I'm feeling frustrated because I feel like I follow all the rules of weight loss.

    I run and do crunches several times a week.

    I eat very healthy. Vegan (so no dairy, meat, or eggs), no sugar, and rarely eat soy.

    Should I be changing my diet? Should I work out more? Could my fat be stress related? I've had a belly pouch since puberty and I feel like it will never go away!

    Have any of you gotten rid of stubborn fat before? What am I missing, or is the only way to get rid of it surgery?
    Goodbye Seattle Lusty Lady, where every Miss is a Hit, and every Hit is Missed. 1985-2010.

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    God/dess shasta's Avatar
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    Default Re: very very stubborn fat *pics*

    I don't see it?

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    Veteran Member ryleeNsd's Avatar
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    Default Re: very very stubborn fat *pics*

    you look very toned to me

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    Default Re: very very stubborn fat *pics*

    No kids, right?

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    Default Re: very very stubborn fat *pics*

    Are you on any medications? It looks like maybe a bit of water retention rather than fat.

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    God/dess princessjas's Avatar
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    Default Re: very very stubborn fat *pics*

    I always am a bit bloaty when I'm veggie. If I can make myself eat lean protein I drop ALL excess fat fast, but eh, I'll stay veggie rather than eat rotting flesh. I know others have different experiences, many lose weight when they become vegan, so I just wanted to give my experiences. Oh and I eat very healthy as a vegetarian (currently not vegan, tho I've had the same experience when I was), mainly fresh veggies and fruits with a sparse amount of whole grains thrown in and I pretty much avoid sugar since I'm pre-diabetic.
    "I hear you calling and it's needles and pins. I wanna hurt you just to hear you screaming my name...You're poision. but I don't wanna break these chains.... I wanna love you but I'd better not touch."

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    Veteran Member AngelKing's Avatar
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    Default Re: very very stubborn fat *pics*

    You should make sure you are getting enough essential fatty acids, and you should also start supplementing with branched chain amino acids. Also forget the crunches. Do heavy full body compound exercises and your abs will get a workout automatically and you will turn your body into a metabolic furnace. Alternate intervals with steady state cardio. And yes, belly fat can be stress related---you can kill a couple of birds with the proverbial stone here by getting into either muy thai or Brazilian jiu jitsu. Total stress relief with the most killer cardio workouts you've ever experienced.

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    Default Re: very very stubborn fat *pics*

    I don't see it either. It just looks like you got done doing a ton of stomach crunches. I second the martial arts movements though. It will kick your ass and make you realize muscles you never knew existed (obliques and everything in your core).
    Quote Originally Posted by markx View Post
    I'd have to have a "4 simease twin strippers gave me head and then lite themselves on fire" story to blow anybody's mind here.

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    Default Re: very very stubborn fat *pics*

    It just occurred to me as well your crunch technique may be incorrect as well. If you are not holding your stomach in (think pilates style) then the muscle builds more outwards. Some people when they do crunches are letting their belly stick out or raise up. Have to hold it in tight the whole time.

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    Veteran Member AngelKing's Avatar
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    Default Re: very very stubborn fat *pics*

    Crunches will do next to nothing for you when it comes to fat loss. Abs are made in the kitchen not in the gym. As a vegan you are very likely missing certain amino acids that are necessary for unlocking fat loss processes. Look into BCAAs and their role in fat loss. Also, if you are not getting enough fat in your diet your body will be in fat conservation mode and will not want to let go of either subcutaneous or visceral fat, no matter how much exercise you are doing. In fact, if your nutrition is not congruent with your work rate and type, you could easily start burning lean mass while conserving fat, which is basically the worst case scenario in the gym.

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    God/dess princessjas's Avatar
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    Default Re: very very stubborn fat *pics*

    ^^Make sure you get enough carbs too! Most gym peeps say to avoid them, but the nervous system runs off of glucose and your body cannot convert stored glucose (fat) back into a form the NS can use, so it breaks down muscle because it can be converted to a usable form to fuel the brain. Unsat fat is also a biggie as it forms your cell walls. Can't build any muscle (or anything else) without a cell wall.
    "I hear you calling and it's needles and pins. I wanna hurt you just to hear you screaming my name...You're poision. but I don't wanna break these chains.... I wanna love you but I'd better not touch."

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    Veteran Member AngelKing's Avatar
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    Default Re: very very stubborn fat *pics*

    Quote Originally Posted by princessjas View Post
    ^^Make sure you get enough carbs too! Most gym peeps say to avoid them, but the nervous system runs off of glucose and your body cannot convert stored glucose (fat) back into a form the NS can use, so it breaks down muscle because it can be converted to a usable form to fuel the brain. Unsat fat is also a biggie as it forms your cell walls. Can't build any muscle (or anything else) without a cell wall.
    Depends on what kind of carbs and when you take them. Most vegans and vegetarians have an extremely high carb diet just due to the nature of the macronutrient ratios of the foods that they choose to eat. These kinds of carbs can and sometimes should be reduced.
    What you are referring to is the necessity of ingesting simple carbs immediately before and after intense exercise (especially heavy resistance based) to help support muscle glycogen stores so the body doesn't go through the process you refer to. This is totally different from regular dietary carb intake and is not something you want to do in any period other than immediately before and after training.
    And yes, correct dietary fat intake is essential.

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    Default Re: very very stubborn fat *pics*

    Quote Originally Posted by AngelKing View Post
    Depends on what kind of carbs and when you take them. Most vegans and vegetarians have an extremely high carb diet just due to the nature of the macronutrient ratios of the foods that they choose to eat. These kinds of carbs can and sometimes should be reduced.
    What you are referring to is the necessity of ingesting simple carbs immediately before and after intense exercise (especially heavy resistance based) to help support muscle glycogen stores so the body doesn't go through the process you refer to. This is totally different from regular dietary carb intake and is not something you want to do in any period other than immediately before and after training.
    And yes, correct dietary fat intake is essential.
    Somehow when I wrote that the fact that she was vegan had totally slipped my mind. All this studying is frying my brain! haha Actually what I was talking about wasn't carb loading before exercise but just the simple fact that the reason a lot of extremely low carb diets cause people to feel confused and forgetful is because the brain and central nervous system run on glycogen and can't convert body fat to a usable form. So the body breaks down muscle into a form they can use, but it isn't nearly as effective as glcogen, thus the confusion, forgetfulness, headaches, etc. Now I have no idea why a vegan would need the info. lol I really am losing my mind here!
    "I hear you calling and it's needles and pins. I wanna hurt you just to hear you screaming my name...You're poision. but I don't wanna break these chains.... I wanna love you but I'd better not touch."

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    Featured Member K Sweet's Avatar
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    Default Re: very very stubborn fat *pics*

    Wow thank you for all the responses!!! Anyone who says they can't see it is very sweet. I guess to me it just look like my stomach is shaped like a lower case "b" if I stand to the side. I think like many people I pay way more attention to my flaws, when other people don't even notice.


    @Avery: Nope no kids!

    @Jessie_tinydancer: No medications... but maybe it's water retention! I haven't even thought about that! What would I do about that? I think my crunches are good, I used to be a very competitive athlete and my coach made sure I did everything correctly! Haha, I totally pick up on it too when I see other people with bad posture or doing exercises wrong.

    @Angelking: can you explain to me "full body compound exercises".
    I'm definitely going to keep an eye on my amino acids! I guess then flax oil would be a smart purchase? Also, what are BCAAs? I think you could be totally onto something about amino acids!

    @PrincessJas: I defiitely eat enough carbs, and I build muscle SUPER FAST. What do you think made you bloated as a veggie? Cuz I don't eat the fake meat stuff, I've heard soy can make you bloated.
    Goodbye Seattle Lusty Lady, where every Miss is a Hit, and every Hit is Missed. 1985-2010.

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    Featured Member Corey's Avatar
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    Default Re: very very stubborn fat *pics*

    I'm only an inch taller than you and at one time I weighed 124. Almost all the weight went to me middle and my breasts. I was working out constantly as well. I wasn't eating very much meat. I was toned, but very bloated. I decided to work w/ a trainer. I went on a diet of mostly green veggies and protein. I lost 20 lbs very slowly (10 months). That was ten years ago and I've kept it off.

    However, I still get bloats from certain foods. I just don't eat them very often. I think you have to try eliminating certain foods at time to see what may be causing the bloating.

    With me it was soy milk, hummus and garlic.
    (Formerly known as 'Korina')

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    Default Re: very very stubborn fat *pics*

    stop doing ab work. even if you do crunches the right way, you really don't need to. the only ab exercise i'd recommend is the vacuum. most people don't do that right either though. if i find a good description online, i'll post a link.

    full body compound exercises= lift weights using movements that recruit a lot of muscles rather than doing single-joint exercises that focus on one or two. compound exercises are for metabolism and burning fat and improving overall fitness and performance. single-joint exercises are for refining the appearance of certain muslces.

    a single-joing exercise- bicep curl
    compound exercise- shoulder press
    full body compound exercise- shoulder press with simultaneous squat

    or, if full body is too much for you to start with, you can also try doing giant sets where you do an upper body move, then a lower body move, then another upper body move, then another lower body move, etc. minimal rest. your upper body rests while your lower body workds and your lower body rests when your upper body works.

    my top recommendation is also lifting weights using compound moves. it's awesome. you'll lose fat while building booty and shoulders that'll make your waist look smaller. remember to watch what you eat, though. this kind of workout has always made me ravenous.
    -love everyone but keep them far from your soul-

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    Veteran Member AngelKing's Avatar
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    Default Re: very very stubborn fat *pics*

    Quote Originally Posted by K Sweet View Post

    @Angelking: can you explain to me "full body compound exercises".
    I'm definitely going to keep an eye on my amino acids! I guess then flax oil would be a smart purchase? Also, what are BCAAs? I think you could be totally onto something about amino acids!
    Shesells nailed the explanation for compound lifts. Forget about isolation exercises like bicep curls or tricep extensions except as finishers to fully fatigue muscles after compound exercises have taken place.
    Focus on big lifts like squats, deadlifts, dips, pullups, chinups, push press etc. and with a good cardio routine you will start burning fat 24 hours a day.

    BCAAs are 'branched chain amino acids'. Look up their relation to fat loss. Vegetarians are especially prone to deficiencies in amino acids.
    And flax oil (Udo's 3.6.9 blend is even better) is ESSENTIAL to anyone's diet. You need the EFAs everyday, all day.

    You should also bite the bullet and calculate the macronutrient ratios of your diet comprehensively for a week. I will bet you anything that your diet is too high in carbs versus proteins and fats.
    Also, investigate any food allergies you have, and their effect on your body's ability to process nutrients correctly. Food allergies will also likely cause you to be amino acid deficient.

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    Default Re: very very stubborn fat *pics*

    I see what you're talking about. And not in an insulting way, but I'll admit that I do see what you're talking about.

    Agreed with others--stop doing ab exercises. I keep a tiiiiny bit of fat on my stomach (as all healthy women should--I call it my 'girlie fat'), but if I start doing any kind of ab work, then I quickly build muscle that pooches out any imperfections on my stomach.

    I'm naturally very thin in the stomach area (and like you, the vast majority of my weight comes from muscle), but working out my midsection makes me look fat.

    Have you considered cutting out gluten? The minute I did, my workouts (100% cardio) actually started making a difference on my body. Many people have sensitivities to gluten that result in odd weight retention, etc.

    Lastly, if you're a stressed-out person, then cortisol does cause you to retain weight on your stomach. But if you aren't high-stress, this isn't your issue.

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    Default Re: very very stubborn fat *pics*

    I prefer hemp oil to flax, but you should try both and do what you like Taking oil is very helpful! (Also hemp butter and hemp nuts are yummy!)
    "I wear tight clothing, high heel shoes
    It doesn't mean that I'm a prostitute" En Vogue

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    Default Re: very very stubborn fat *pics*

    raw lifestyle, you are already vegan. cut out dead uprocessed starches and tofu and replace it with ffruit and veggies. Dont overdo nuts and seeds but eat them as well. research on the raw lifestyle, find a raw restaurant near you.


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    Default Re: very very stubborn fat *pics*

    back before I had kids I had the perfect stomach,and the way I got this was I would starve my self for days at a time,and it was so not worth it.
    Don't worry,You look natural and beautiful. Don't stress over it!
    Try leg lifts to tone your lower abs,and Try running stairs.
    I is a mommy.
    09.27.09

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    Veteran Member DreamsInDigital's Avatar
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    Default Re: very very stubborn fat *pics*

    You said you've had this since puberty - maybe you're estrogen dominant?
    Extra estrogen is often a cause of belly fat. I used to work at a weight loss place, and many of the female clients who couldn't lose weight in their midsection would get the hormone levels in their saliva tested, and realize this to be the cause of their problem. There are creams and other things that you can use to level out your hormones if that's the case. Or, if you're on birth control, maybe try switching to one with lower amounts of estrogen and see if that works?

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    Featured Member K Sweet's Avatar
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    Default Re: very very stubborn fat *pics*

    Thanks for all the helpful replies!

    DreamsinDigital: I've thought about the estrogen thing. Birth control just makes my boobs bigger but I haven't seen much difference in my stomach. I'm going to look into getting my estrogen levels tested.

    charlie61: I'm not insulted at all, I posted this for help and I'm glad you replied. I've thought about going gluten-free, and I think you are right and I should totally do it. I've already gotten addicted to spaghetti squash vs. pasta. But I'm going to hate cutting out cereal!

    Corey: Wow that sounds just like me, I often gain in my stomach and breasts. I really hope a diet change doesn't make my breasts smaller, I love them! I've been eliminating foods, I think soy is kinda freaky the way it affects estrogen and I've known maybe people who have sensitivities to it.

    AngelKing: I'm buying flax oil today! And since you suggested it I'm looking at a macronutrient calculator. That's going to be a lot of work but I'm going to try it! Making a food journal would probably also help me go gluten free.

    she sells sanctuary: Thanks for describing full body compound exercises. The only thing that concerns me is that at one point in my life I was running an average of 7 miles a day, doing pushups and crunches twice a day, lifting weights several times a week, doing plyometric exercises daily, and my body looks almost identical now when I just run a few days a week. Do you think all the crunches were messing me up? I'd like to keep running a few days week, but I'll make sure to add plyometric exercises to the workout! Do you think that would make a difference?
    Goodbye Seattle Lusty Lady, where every Miss is a Hit, and every Hit is Missed. 1985-2010.

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    Default Re: very very stubborn fat *pics*

    Quote Originally Posted by K Sweet View Post

    charlie61: I'm not insulted at all, I posted this for help and I'm glad you replied. I've thought about going gluten-free, and I think you are right and I should totally do it. I've already gotten addicted to spaghetti squash vs. pasta. But I'm going to hate cutting out cereal!
    There are many gluten-free cereal options! Even the cheap ones are sometimes made with oats instead of wheat; you just have to read labels! Look for cereals that use brown rice, millet, or oats instead. Or hell, make your own gluten-free granola (using rolled oats, agave syrup, and whatever other ingredients you love). Cheap and SO GOOD. Have it with almond milk to avoid dairy! (which bloats some people)

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    God/dess princessjas's Avatar
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    Default Re: very very stubborn fat *pics*

    Quote Originally Posted by K Sweet View Post
    @PrincessJas: I defiitely eat enough carbs, and I build muscle SUPER FAST. What do you think made you bloated as a veggie? Cuz I don't eat the fake meat stuff, I've heard soy can make you bloated.
    I really have no idea what makes me bloaty. I had to do a food study on my diet last semester and I get plenty of protein. I do sometimes eat soy, but I'm more into eating edamame or soy nuts than processed soy (although I probably have some processed stuff once every week or two). I eat mainly, fresh veggies and whole grains with a few fruits thrown in there. It doesn't seem to matter if I'm a vegetarian at the time or full vegan either. I stay bloated with either diet.

    Sorry, wish I could help!

    ETA - I do eat quite a bit of hummus and a decent amount of garlic (although I switched from soy to Almond Milk a while back), since those tihngs bloated Corey, maybe I'll start trying to avoid those and see what happens?
    "I hear you calling and it's needles and pins. I wanna hurt you just to hear you screaming my name...You're poision. but I don't wanna break these chains.... I wanna love you but I'd better not touch."

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