I get jealous of other girls' bodies...

[Morrisa]

I have some fat around my stomach that won't go way. I don't have the willpower for a healthy diet. I do exercise almost everyday. But I go downtown and see beautiful girls w/ perfectly flat stomachs-it makes me want to cry. Because they are blessed and I'm not. I don't think I could be friends w/ someone w/ a better body. I saw a picture of the Pussycat Dolls today =then instantly went (almost) power walking w/ my arms pumping for at least 1/2 hr. How can I make my belly go away (I've already given up potato chips)?
This is the stomach I SHOULD have http://www.prince.org:81/img/t72b3c890ee.jpg

[Morrisa]

I have some fat around my stomach that won't go way. I don't have the willpower for a healthy diet. I do exercise almost everyday. But I go downtown and see beautiful girls w/ perfectly flat stomachs-it makes me want to cry. Because they are blessed and I'm not. I don't think I could be friends w/ someone w/ a better body. I saw a picture of the Pussycat Dolls today =then instantly went (almost) power walking w/ my arms pumping for at least 1/2 hr. How can I make my belly go away (I've already given up potato chips)?
This is the stomach I SHOULD have http://www.prince.org:81/img/t72b3c890ee.jpg

[Peaches715]

I have a little belly also, I have the lower tummy pooch and I hate it. Honestly tho, it's part of being a woman for the most part. I used to think all those thin women were "blessed" with those fabulous stomachs and can eat whatever they want too. Some of them are, I have a friend who is, but the majority of them either exercise like maniacs or do not eat. Realizing this has made me feel a lot better about my body and the way I look. For the most part now, I like the way I look. I personally do not have the time to exercise 2-3 hours a day, and I love food way too much to stop eating it, and I need to have my junk food every so often or I go insane. Try not to be so hard on yourself because a lot of those women would not look the way they do if they ate normally

[ammoniasmith]

Who doesn't get jealous? I want a flatter stomach too but it ain't gonna happen. It's how I'm built. Even when I was very athletic in high school I still had a little lower tummy pooch. I suppose I could get lipsuction surgery to fix it but considering I am much trimmer that most of the population I don't have that much of a problem with it.

Don't let it bother so much that you 'couldn't be friends' with someone thinner than you. I agree with Melissa, most of those girls are probably anorexic and probably hate themselves worse than you.

[DarleneH]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I get jealous of other girls' bodies... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yeah, like that tart Jessica Simpson. http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif I guess if the rest of us had money to hire personal trainers, cooks, and have diet meals delivered we'd look like too.

Dar

[FiestyFemme]

Definitely don't let something like this consume you - it sounds like you are, and trust me, it's not worth it!! Don't be so hard on yourself.

[Morrisa]

Since my relatives are overeaters how can I tell if I'm genetically doomed to be potbellied forever?

Girls w/ good bodies esp. beautiful girls get first choice of EVERYTHING: jobs, men, etc and the flabby girls get whatever is left

Clothes aren't designed to fit me. They're designed for someone else.

[JennRoss]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Morrisa:
Since my relatives are overeaters how can I tell if I'm genetically doomed to be potbellied forever?

It doesn't mean that you will wind up the same way. Most of the women on my father's side of the family are heavy, but I've managed to avoid it by not eating junkfood and exercising. You do have to do something though. You have the eat sensibly, watch your portions, drink water, and do some physical activity. It is not easy, but it's the only thing that works. You will only set yourself up for disappointments if you go on crash diets and other quick fixes, so steer clear of those.

Girls w/ good bodies esp. beautiful girls get first choice of EVERYTHING: jobs, men, etc and the flabby girls get whatever is left

Where are you getting this idea? Please try to not think this way, you will set yourself up for so much stress. Sure, I've been influenced by faces in the media and wished for things I can't have, but eventually you have to take a look at who you are and focus on being who you want to be. Being skinny is not everything, and would you really be interested in someone who only chose to talk to you/date you (etc...) because of your body? Focus on being a fun-loving person, and people will take notice.

Clothes aren't designed to fit me. They're designed for someone else.

If they don't fit, keep looking until you find the clothes that fit you. It isn't you, it is the clothes that are not cut right for your shape. Trust me, I have a hard time finding pants that will fit my hips, but have to keep trying until I find a pair that fits. There are lots of outlet stores and discount stores that you can find fashionable clothes at, if you are worried about that. Not to mention, you will save money.

I hope I've helped you some. You don't have to feel this way.

[Mz LaLa]

<span class="ev_code_BROWN">The little belly pooch, sometimes I think is just a genetic thing you can't do a ton about. I know that sucks, but even at my smallest and everything else being skinny and looking good...that damned pooch was still there to some extent.

It's hard, but since I've always been shaped like that most of my life...I've come to accept it. Sometimes coming to accept and love your body is the best thing you can do for yourself.

Losing belly fat..from my experience..takes a lot of cardio. Especially since there really is no such thing as spot reducing just a certain area.</span>

[Oh*So*Pretty]

*The only time I had a totally flat stomach was in winter of last year, when I barely ate a thing for a week; just an Atkins bar for lunch. I looked good, but I felt miserable: cranky, hungry, freezing, & tired. I eventually broke down because I couldn't take it anymore; I needed food to survive. I basically ate everything in sight. I got sick & dehydrated for about 2 weeks afterward because my binge was so big. Now, I know better than to starve myself. I still have a bit of a lower-belly pooch, but a few days of ab work helps tone it down, & it basically disappears. I may have to work at it a bit, but it's better than not eating, because I looove food. I'll never do that again. I have learned to never deprive yourself & never try to be someone you're not. That only leads to failure.

[Morrisa]

A lot of cardio? I don't have time for that! I can only carve out an hour a day for exercise and that barely gets done http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif

[cutie123]

Morisa-I hate to say it, but if you're doing an hour of cardio a day and you're still not getting rid of the belly fat, you probably aren't on the best diet. The only way to see all those results from exercise is to cut out the junk food and stick to fruits, veggies, and the like. I'm blessed to not have to exercise a ton to have a flat stomach, BUT the second I binge on candy/junk food my stomach shows it.

[Morrisa]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Morisa-I hate to say it, but if you're doing an hour of cardio a day and you're still not getting rid of the belly fat, you probably aren't on the best diet. The only way to see all those results from exercise is to cut out the junk food and stick to fruits, veggies, and the like. I'm blessed to not have to exercise a exercise a ton to have a flat stomach, BUT the second I binge on candy/junk food my stomach shows it.
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>
I don't do an hour of cardio a day. I do 1/2 an hour and then situps and stuff. I know I don't have the best diet but I hate veggies-and meat. And the only cardio I can stand is bellydancing

[Angel Baby]

If you have a small belly to lose and exercising isn't cutting it, then diet is the only way to go. If you can't stand to give up (or at least limit yourself) refined sugar/flour, whatever (white bread, white pasta, white rice etc.), then it's clear that having a smaller tummy isn't your priority. Honestly, there is nothing else you can do that can change your body except for exercising and eating healthy. Kudos for you doing your exercises! Not it's time to take a look at what you eat. http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

some good diet tips are
- pick foods that are whole and high in fibre (fruits are better than fruit juices because it still contains the fibre)
- pick foods that are lower in sugar, since it will most likely play with your blood sugar levels, causing you to over eat
- cut out/or limit yourself from refined anything. Not only will it help with the belly, it might be good for your skin too (from what I hear anyway http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif).
- write down what you eat everyday!

Good luck!

[Adriana]

What are considered as refined foods?

[Morrisa]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Angel Baby:
If you have a small belly to lose and exercising isn't cutting it, then diet is the only way to go. If you can't stand to give up (or at least limit yourself) refined sugar/flour, whatever (white bread, white pasta, white rice etc.), then it's clear that having a smaller tummy isn't your priority. Honestly, there is nothing else you can do that can change your body except for exercising and eating healthy. Kudos for you doing your exercises! Not it's time to take a look at what you eat. http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif
</div></BLOCKQUOTE>

It is my prioity. But I can't eat stuff that tastes so bad it makes me gag (no puking for me I'm on a time released sezuire medcine)

I never eat pasta or candy or cakes, cupcakes, doughnuts,etc so I have that going for me. I hardly eat chips anymore. I'm going to quit eating french fries daily (I don't eat a ton for my serving though). Maybe then the weight will drop off.
Too bad there's no summer left to lose weight in AND look hot in.

[Mz LaLa]

<span class="ev_code_BROWN">Morissa...you seem really frusturated and down on yourself about this. Don't be!
Easier said than done I know, but you'll find that healthy routine that works for you!

Here's some more advice from me to you, see if any of it is something you can try http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Take a good look at your schedule and see where you can fit in exercise. If don't have to carve out a full hour at one time. Even if you have a half hour in the mornings and a half hour in the evenings..that would be enough. See if you can break it up.

Situps and toning exercises like that are good, but for toning and defining muscle, they aren't going to make you lose weight really. But of course getting toned up, especially in the stomach area makes your belly look slimmer. If your abdominal walls are weak it does make your belly look flabby so keep up with the situps and what not! But to burn fat through exercise that cardio is very important. And a half hour is better than nothing. Especially if you can work up a good sweat in the first 10 minutes or so and keep your heart rate up for the last 20.

It is my absoloute least favorite thing in this world to do but the most successful way for me to lose & maintain my weight is to count calories. It's the oldest trick in the book http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif With all the fad diets that come and go, any doctor will still tell you the way to lose weight is to reduce calories and increase activity. The whole point in losing weight is to burn more calories than you consume. I try not to go over 1200 a day, but depending on your activity level and metabolism..you would have to set your own. Going under 1200 a day though isn't very healthy so keep that in mind.

You can just read nutrition labels and keep track on your own. There are also computer programs you can buy to keep track that way. Keeping track of calories is a really eye opening experience to your eating habits. It can be shocking at first but then is really motivating.


Drink a lot of water...and my own little secret..is drinking a lot of green tea (no sugar or honey in it though, I use artificial sweetner sometimes) The green tea especially is great at keeping water weight off me, especially my stomach.

Just keep at it..try different things..and don't expect miracles over night. You can look hot all fall and winter http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif


</span>

[Morrisa]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Situps and toning exercises like that are good, but for toning and defining muscle, they aren't going to make you lose weight really. But of course getting toned up, especially in the stomach area makes your belly look slimmer. If your abdominal walls are weak it does make your belly look flabby so keep up with the situps and what not! But to burn fat through exercise that cardio is very important. And a half hour is better than nothing. Especially if you can work up a good sweat in the first 10 minutes or so and keep your heart rate up for the last 20.

Just keep at it..try different things..and don't expect miracles over night. You can look hot all fall and winter </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Today I did 150 oblique twists, 1/2 hr of belly dancing and more or less power walked for half an hr. I'd like to keep that up and in the winter do Pilates or more belly dancing.

And cannot look hot in the winter-no one would see my hot stomach. I'd be in a parka-I live in upstate NY.

[Mz LaLa]

<span class="ev_code_BROWN">Well okay you can't show off your belly in the winter but that still doesn't mean you can't look hot and your efforts still won't pay off http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

Now bepositive girl! http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

You sound like you did well today..congrats http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif </span>

[Jill]

Have you tried Pilates? I have the Winsor Pilates DVD's and I think they work really well. You'll still have to do cardio to help burn fat, but as far as quick toning goes, they're pretty effective.

I agree that you might want to incorporate more veggies and fruits into your diet. I know you said you don't like the taste of them, but you could ease yourself into it slowly. Like start eating celery sticks with ranch dressing. The ranch will help mask some of the "veggie" taste until you get used to it. And yes, you'll get used to it. That's how I had to incorporate veggies into my diet and now I actually LIKE eating celery by itself. Another yummy treat is tuna salad on celery sticks. Try eating broccoli with that I Can't Believe It's Not Butter spray. That stuff is really a godsend. You can put it on anything and even cook with it. Another suggestion is to make stuff at home. Even french fries can be more healthy if you cook them at home in the oven instead of eating them deep-fried in oil at a restaurant.

You don't want to go off the deep-end though trying to lose the stubborn belly fat. I can't believe you actually said that only skinny girls get the goods in life. I have a wonderful life and I shop at Lane Bryant, for God's sake! I've gotten everything I've ever wanted in life because I work for it not because I have a flat stomach (because I don't have a flat stomach). It's much more important to use your brain and have a good personality than it is to have a flat stomach. If you're making yourself miserable over this issue, then you're probably making everyone else around you miserable, too.

Think about this...in many areas of Africa, overweight women are considered extremely desirable. Only in the richest countries of the world do people actually want to look like they're starving.

[susie]

Some simple things that really help me are holding my stomach muscles when I walk. I also try to walk around a little after a meal, holding my stomach tight. I feel alot better after; not so bloaty and full. My stomach isn't perfectly flat, but I like to blame that on my kids http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[Morrisa]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Jill:
Have you tried Pilates? I have the Winsor Pilates DVD's and I think they work really well. You'll still have to do cardio to help burn fat, but as far as quick toning goes, they're pretty effective.

I agree that you might want to incorporate more veggies and fruits into your diet. I know you said you don't like the taste of them, but you could ease yourself into it slowly. Like start eating celery sticks with ranch dressing. The ranch will help mask some of the "veggie" taste until you get used to it. And yes, you'll get used to it. That's how I had to incorporate veggies into my diet and now I actually LIKE eating celery by itself. Another yummy treat is tuna salad on celery sticks. Try eating broccoli with that I Can't Believe It's Not Butter spray. That stuff is really a godsend. You can put it on anything and even cook with it. Another suggestion is to make stuff at home. Even french fries can be more healthy if you cook them at home in the oven instead of eating them deep-fried in oil at a restaurant.

You don't want to go off the deep-end though trying to lose the stubborn belly fat. I can't believe you actually said that only skinny girls get the goods in life. I have a wonderful life and I shop at Lane Bryant, for God's sake! I've gotten everything I've ever wanted in life because I work for it not because I have a flat stomach (because I don't have a flat stomach). It's much more important to use your brain and have a good personality than it is to have a flat stomach. If you're making yourself miserable over this issue, then you're probably making everyone else around you miserable, too.

Think about this...in many areas of Africa, overweight women are considered extremely desirable. Only in the richest countries of the world do people actually want to look like they're starving. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I've tried Pilates and it didn't give me a movie star body http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif It seems to only be good for keeping weight off, not taking any off.
I put frozen fries in the microwave for 4 min and they taste GREAT.

[my analisa]

Try Core Secrets exercise. http://community.icompact.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif Aim to eat really well during the week, and mess up a little on the weekends.

[jellobelly]

<span class="ev_code_GREEN">xxx</span><span class="ev_code_PINK">don't stress</span>

[jellobelly]

i'm sure it's not as bad as your say it is...I use to be really thin when i was under 14..but everyone was telling me i needed to gain weight..now i'm 20 and i'm not longer thin..well my belly is like yours i guess, i'd love to have a pussy cats dolls belly guess you've gotta work for it..