Fifty Plus (50+) - Belly Busting...

I'm interested in hearing some success stories from 50+ members who have reduced their bellies to something vaguely resembling a flat tummy. How'd you do it? What worked, what didn't?

While mine isn't quite like this guy's is, it's not getting any smaller either.

http://www.bagofnothing.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/whoadfafdff.jpg

Always had a bit of a belly till I went in the forces. So Sign up today- Uncle Sam needs you

I'm interested in hearing some success stories from 50+ members who have reduced their bellies to something vaguely resembling a flat tummy. How'd you do it? What worked, what didn't?

While mine isn't quite like this guy's is, it's not getting any smaller either.

http://www.bagofnothing.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/whoadfafdff.jpg

And this guys seems proud of his!

Sorry, never had any belly fat. Cannot help.

Don't worry, she loves you the way you are, belly and all.

Right, Double Deuce?

Well someone has to give you a serious answer. I don't see why I should have to be the one to do so.

1. General weight loss.
2. Abdominal crunches, which really won't help but will make you feel better about the whole thing.

BTW, I could get the guy's belly, as illustrated above, flat with a 17 g. needle and a good strong arm.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVBddP5oW8Y
To start: 2 or 3 sets of 5 reps each.
caveat: Don't try crunches if you have back problems.

I'll let you know if it gets flat...too soon to tell, but it IS getting smaller pretty quickly. I have a shirt on that didn't fit a month ago.

You know the saying, "no pain, no gain"...? I think the "pain" referred to is really "serious discomfort". I also think people probably stop short of this when exercising, since any discomfort is...well...uncomfortable. I've found in the past, and it still is holding true as I get back in shape...I push to a point well beyond simple discomfort. I'm talking real, no kidding feel like I better slow down now. Then I slow only slightly until the real discomfort subsides a little. Intervals are really this, too. For me, I think the results I am seeing (lost 1 full inch + from waist in 4 weeks) are because of this type of training and reduced calories as well. I think we all believe we burn more and eat less than we really do. It's human nature...sort of a short cut that backfires. That's why documenting things really helps most people get it done. The shock of reality can show you just what will really be necessary to reach the goal. No free ride, in other words. I vote for documenting via fit day or some method to help you know for sure you are in a legitimate calorie deficit that works safely.

Don't forget safe form to prevent injury..and pay attention to any real pain. Discomfort, however, is just part of the game IMHO. Go for the burn and recognize the difference between it and real pain. This is one reason so many folks hire personal trainers...someone to push them beyond discomort for faster results.

God bless!

-Ron

Eat more, ride less. Wait. That's not it.

Saw a really good infomercial on this last week and came really close to buying the product. But I can't remember what it is. Sorry.

Liposuction

It's a good german family secret.



"Farfrompizza"

Like many men, the first weight I put on goes on my belly. During my chemotherapy and lack of riding time, my weight didn't change because I put on just enough belly fat to offset the muscle I lost. My weight is better arranged again now, as this most recent photo I have shows. I don't think there's a secret to removing belly fat. When you are finished removing all other fat, and you keep losing weight, the belly fat will leave. That's the only way it's ever happened for me.

http://i181.photobucket.com/albums/x5/Bud_Bent/StratusXP/sxp02.jpg

I agree with Bud, for men, belly fat is the first to show up and the last to leave.

I agree with Bud, for men, belly fat is the first to show up and the last to leave.

I'll testify to that. My last 20 lbs to loose are in my gut - my legs, and back are in good shape. I've also lost some upper body muscle because I've cut back on my sleep and not done the non-cycling exercises.

Aw shoot. Amen.

To speed up the process, you'll need to add some abdomen specific exercises to tone up the belly. Even pro racers tend to have soft bellies because cycling doesn't work those muscles.

I do exercises on the bike were I suck in my belly. 10 x 4 reps. It seems to help.

You cannot spot reduce. For 50+, fat around middle is last to go. Crunches, etc., give you muscles under the fat, but do nothing to reduce the fat itself.

I have had a number of people ask me recently if I had lost weight. No, I haven't. But, according to Mrs. Slim, I have rearranged it. I think that's good, albeit losing 10 pounds might make me a better climber.

I'm interested in hearing some success stories from 50+ members who have reduced their bellies to something vaguely resembling a flat tummy. How'd you do it? What worked, what didn't?

While mine isn't quite like this guy's is, it's not getting any smaller either.

http://www.bagofnothing.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/whoadfafdff.jpg

:eek: Looks like he swallowed the exercise ball !!


DG - How's your diet? It's a common mistake to think "I rode 20 miles today, so I can have a hotdog / extra slice of pizza / bowl of ice cream / [fill in the blank]". Not that you're thinking that..... just sayin'.

So to sum it all up.....I guess we gotta bust our butt to bust our gut!! :cry:

DG - How's your diet? It's a common mistake to think "I rode 20 miles today, so I can have a hotdog / extra slice of pizza / bowl of ice cream / [fill in the blank]". Not that you're thinking that..... just sayin'.

Yeah, my problem is snacking at night. I get so darn hungry at night! And I guess I'll have to start doing some other exercises on top of the cycling.

You all SURE there's no magic wand, no magic dust, no nothing out there? Sigh...

So to sum it all up.....I guess we gotta bust our butt to bust our gut!! :cry:

There you have it. No free lunch.

God bless!

-Ron:thumb:

For me it takes 20 miles a day, more on weekends, as fast as I can do it. While it's great to lose the belly, my favorite part is having only one chin.

Yeah, my problem is snacking at night. I get so darn hungry at night! And I guess I'll have to start doing some other exercises on top of the cycling.

You all SURE there's no magic wand, no magic dust, no nothing out there? Sigh...
A good low-cal snack at night is air popped popcorn made with no oil. Spray with butter flavored cooking spray (0 calories O fat) after removing popped corn from popper. A little salt is good if you're careful. It's filling but not fattening.

As a bonus, after a year or so the chemicals in the cooking spray cause you to glow in the dark, saving electricity. :thumb:

Don't ignore the nutritional component of weight loss. A 50+ friend of mine who began cycling to work made significant changes in his diet and lost 50 lbs in 6 months. He gave up all processed carbohydrates like white bread, white rice and white potatoes and substituted brown rice and vegetables like broccoli (a good source of carbs without what we used to call "starch"), sprouts and flaxseed. He also ramped up his intake of low-cal fruits like melons, apples, oranges, grapes and berries. He attributes his weight loss as much to diet as to riding. Another friend who doesn't exercise much still lost a lot of weight by giving up starches, essentially adopting a version of the South Beach diet. My ownl recommendation is to avoid things like diet sodas that have aspertame, which scientists are now beginning to believe causes the body to actually look for the sugar you've fooled it into thinking it's getting by adjusting insulin levels as if you've actually eaten sugar. I also avoid foods with high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), which is simply evil, as it messes with insulin levels and causes the body to convert to fat calories it might otherwise burn off. I stopped drinking Gatorade when I discovered that it was sweetened with HFCS. Good luck!

Yeah, my problem is snacking at night. I get so darn hungry at night! And I guess I'll have to start doing some other exercises on top of the cycling.

You all SURE there's no magic wand, no magic dust, no nothing out there? Sigh...

Since the diagnosis of Type 2 I cut out all sugars and lowered the fat and carb intake. I have lost about 9 pounds in two weeks on a special "detox diet" which cost way to much. No it is not a colon cleanse or ????. What it did was get me eating extremely sensibly and my glucose levels are now "Normal".

Next I am adding back in the gym and the riding I was doing before the BP problem, which is under control as well. I have seen the belly fat slowly leaving, which is really encouraging.

I can snack all day on roasted or raw almonds a few at a time and have never felt hungry.

All I can say is man is it slow!

I don't think there's a secret to removing belly fat. When you are finished removing all other fat, and you keep losing weight, the belly fat will leave. That's the only way it's ever happened for me.


Yep, I think that is the magic secret.

I'm interested in hearing some success stories from 50+ members who have reduced their bellies to something vaguely resembling a flat tummy. How'd you do it? What worked, what didn't?

While mine isn't quite like this guy's is, it's not getting any smaller either.

http://www.bagofnothing.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/whoadfafdff.jpg

Please tell me that this has been "digitally manipulated".

Yeah, my problem is snacking at night. I get so darn hungry at night! And I guess I'll have to start doing some other exercises on top of the cycling.

You all SURE there's no magic wand, no magic dust, no nothing out there? Sigh...

Bingo!!! If you are maintaining your weight in spite of snacking at night, you'll lose weight if you stop because that will be the caloric deficit needed to lose. It may help to determine why you get so hungry at night -- too many refined carbs at dinner (they can leave one hungry for more), not eating enough during the day, or just a habit?

You might try fitday.com (http://fitday.com) to record what you eat and your activities.

You're not riding enough. Ride so much that you fall into bed after riding, too tired to eat. ;)

Yeah, my problem is snacking at night. I get so darn hungry at night! And I guess I'll have to start doing some other exercises on top of the cycling.

You all SURE there's no magic wand, no magic dust, no nothing out there? Sigh...

You could try living with undiagnosed type 1 diabetes for a couple of years? I was down to 70 lbs before I was slammed into the emergency room at age 20. Personally, I thought I looked pretty whiplash cool, but I wouldn't really recommend it.

A good low-cal snack at night is air popped popcorn made with no oil. Spray with butter flavored cooking spray (0 calories O fat) after removing popped corn from popper. A little salt is good if you're careful. It's filling but not fattening.

As a bonus, after a year or so the chemicals in the cooking spray cause you to glow in the dark, saving electricity. :thumb:

+1 I also sprinkle some Nutritional yeast flakes , gives it a slightly cheesey flavor and has some good stuff in it (acording to my wife)

Please tell me that this has been "digitally manipulated".

It was digitally enhanced. The technique is called eating to much finger food with ten digits. Hand to mouth so to speak.

A Very Close Friend ;) gave me a link which others may find useful as well: The Secret to Flat Abs (http://www.realage.com/ct/shape-up-slim-down/workouts/tip/6547)

:thumb:

I'm interested in hearing some success stories from 50+ members who have reduced their bellies to something vaguely resembling a flat tummy. How'd you do it? What worked, what didn't?

While mine isn't quite like this guy's is, it's not getting any smaller either.



I bet it has gone down - you just may not realize it as it is gradual. Have you dropped a waist size or two.

I carry the winter fat in my rear end, thighs and a layer of fat on the belly. as I bike in the spring the thighs go first, then the rear and then the belly. It acutally all goes but optically it seems to be in this order. I don't do ab exercises but I know that if I did it would tightned up the belly and make it appear to be disolving faster.

Hang in there and just keep loosing weight - eventually the belly has to go...

Do you know your BMI (Body Mass Index)? Where are you within the range?

My belly pretty much disappeared when I got back within the "normal" range.

If you're not back within normal, keep losing weight until you are there. Keep exercising and it will go away.

(easier said than done, I know...)

Yeah, my problem is snacking at night. I get so darn hungry at night! And I guess I'll have to start doing some other exercises on top of the cycling.

You all SURE there's no magic wand, no magic dust, no nothing out there? Sigh...

You certainly aren't the only one who likes later snacks. The one thing I can suggest is trying to limit the amount of fat and sugar those late night snacks have. My late night snack of choice has become sugar free popsicles. At 30 calories each, even if I get carried away and eat three, I've only downed 90 calories, and no sugar. That ain't going to make my belt too much tighter.