I have been reading reports lately that sit-ups and crunches are not what we make them out to be. They (supposed experts) say they don't work for getting rid of the tummy, so what do I do to get rid of it?!?! I'm talking the upper tummy...at least that's what I call it. The lower tummy isn't really a problem. Anyone have any exercise tips/advice for getting rid of it?

I have heard that working any particular part of the body does nothing to make you lose weight in that particular area...

BUT - toning the muscles where you want shape can't hurt...

Twisting motion is good to form a waist... and knee lifts are a good alternative to crunches if you hate them (and who doesn't?)

Sadly, the only way to lose the belly - is to lose the fat...

I was SHOCKED fairly recently. In the past, when I dieted, I always lost from the top down - face/neck first, then chest/arms - THEN belly/legs.

This time, it is happening all wierd. I am actually losing belly fat in greater proportion to the rest of my body. I LOVE MY BAND! This is weird I can live with!

Good Luck!

You know, I have been losing differently as well. I am losing on the bottom part of my body faster than the top. I hate my belly! It has definitely gone down but it's not near gone. It was the last place I gained weight so I was really hopeful that it would be the first to go. I guess I will have to be patient and as the weight comes off, it will go down. Thanks!

I'm afraid it's the joy of being a girl. Belly fat is necessary to produce babies, or some such nonsense like that, so our bodies just hold onto that crap.

Sucks, huh?

But, try the twist thing. Maybe if the muscles underneath get more shape, the fat on top will look better....

Good Luck~!!

I'll give it a try. I feel like I'll try anything and something is better than nothing! Thanks again!!

The twist stuff does work. I am taking a turbo jam kick boxing class, and it has a lot of the twisting stuff, and my upper part dropped 5in in 1 month from it. even though the scale only dropped 2lbs. But toning those muscles underneath has to happen for it starts dropping away. Also remember lots of water because you body needs lots of water to let go and not store those fat cells.

You have to work all of the core muscles in order to get the best support and shape and definition. That includes the back and sides and all that. Anything that works the core muscles overall is going to help I think. Pilates is supposed to have some good moves. And I hear working with a bosu ball or balance ball can get at some of them. When I was in physical therapy I worked with bands and that was pretty interesting. (And a lot of my physical therapy work was on my abdominals).

i hate crunches too, but they work. in the past month i have lost an additional 3 inches from my waist. to make them a tad more tolerable, i do them on a balance ball.

i agree with the twisting motion comment. so i do twisty crunches ... right elbow towards left knee, etc...

attached is the difference from last month to this month. last month i was in a size 6x shirt (it was really big) so i changed this month to 2x and it fits nice.

good luck banishing the belly!!!

Have you tried Pilates?? I know it's intimidating at first, but you could get a video like Pilates for dummies or something and try it at home. Set small goals for yourself... Start off by just watching the video, next day, watch the video and to all the positions, then do each position with 1 or 2 reps, then 4 or 5 reps, and so on and so on.. you'll be a pilates guru in no time. Keep up the astonishing work!!!!

I never have tried Pilates. For my exercise I alternate things but they include things like: crunches, leg lifts, walking, spinning, dance video and using weights to tone. My stomach has gone down as I lose, just not fast enough for me (never is, is it?!). I knew there had to be something to do to target a certain area but wasn't sure what to do besides crunches. I will have to try Pilates. I have been twisting! I am going to hold off on measuring for a while though.

Anything twisting is great and more effective for a lot of reasons. Think about it. You're using most of your core muscles in the front AND back, rather than the regular situp, which just uses the front and maybe a little oblique, depending on how you do it.

Its very important that your stomach muscles and deeper core muscles are in good shape. They support your back, and keep it healthy, it improves your posture and overall look and will make you look slimmer.

Losing inches is possible tightening muscles, but getting rid of a belly, that's down to losing the overlying fat. And that is ONLY done by lots and lots of aerobic exercise and diet. Your underlying muscles can be rock hard but if you have fat over the top, your stomach will never look flat.

Many people dont have the terrible stomach muscles they think they do, in fact overweight people are often quite muscular and in "good" shape underneath due to the workload of carrying their weight around. At least on their lower body. But fat hides it all.