Thread: Upper ab flab

I have had a problem with losing in my tummy/ab area. I know, who doesn't. But even when I loose weight and start to thin out, (my weight goes up and down like a rollercoaster) my upper abs still stick out further than my lower abs. I hate this! What is wrong with me? Is there an excersice that targets that area? I don't mind having a little bit if a potbelly but if my upper belly sticks out further than my lower belly, it looks weird. ,f::

I have this same issue. I finally got it to go down when I changed my diet.and stepped up my cardio. I tried to stay away from salt and sugars for about a week and did really intensive cardio for that time. it slowly went away.

I still notice that I have a tendency to get pudge there quicker when i gain weight... but at least now I can get rid of it.

I have heard that you have to cut out all the carbs and do intense cardio. However, giving up all carbs would be really hard. <Runs off to eat peanut M&Ms>

Mahira, this is how I'm built too and it's no fun, I hear ya. Yeah, enough perfect nutrients with no slip ups and perfect intense cardio and weight training and I'd eventually lose it. But my breasts and menstrual cycle would also disappear too and I'm not willing to lose them. In other words, I'd have to get to an extremely low body fat (low enough to be unhealthy) to ever lose the fat in this spot. It's weird but it's true. I have been fit in every other part of my body and this spot was still bizarre. I think when I get to my desired weight, I will get some spot liposuction. Crazy, but I've actually thought about it. If I find another solution in the meantime, I'll let you know! Or if you do, tell me!

Originally Posted by mahira-michelle

I have had a problem with losing in my tummy/ab area. I know, who doesn't. But even when I loose weight and start to thin out, (my weight goes up and down like a rollercoaster) my upper abs still stick out further than my lower abs. I hate this! What is wrong with me? Is there an excersice that targets that area? I don't mind having a little bit if a potbelly but if my upper belly sticks out further than my lower belly, it looks weird. ,f::

I just looked at your lovely photo gallery -- you and I have very similar body types!

I suspect that in my case, the fat was mostly in the omentum (visceral fat organ under the abdominal muscles). Weight there pushes everything out in the upper ab area.

Mine started dropping off eventually as I lost weight. It is still the first place the weight comes back if I put on a few pounds.

If that is indeed where your fat is, it can't be liposuctioned, and that fat is metabolically dangerous (correlated with metabolic syndrom), so it is worth the effort to get it off and keep it off.

There is no exercise that will spot reduce it or anything else. I doubt your upper abdominal muscles are flabby anyway.

People who carry weight in the upper abdomen need to avoid refined carbs of all kinds, and in general eat carbs in small servings dispersed in 5 or more small meals throughout the day.

Try a diet that calorically is 30% protein, 30% good fat, and 40% good carbs. This works very well for me.

Thanks for all the ideas and comments.
My abs are strong and if I tighten my muscles you can feel & see them but it's the upper part that seems to have the most fat over it. I hate it! If I could afford lipo I'd do it, even though I've been told how dangerous it can be. It's just frustrating to loose weight and still not look thin especially from a side view. I am a carboholic. I love pasta and it's the cheapest thing to make for a family meal that fills everyone. I try to stay away from sweets even though I love them too! I'm good on my own, it's my husband and my Mother In Law that's a bad influence. When I say no sweets or junk in the house I do good then My MIL shows up with chocolate cream pie. Ugh! Sit ups don't seem to do it. That just strenghens them, which is good, but not the result I'm looking for. I miss the days of weighing 115 lbs, being able to eat anything and not gain an ounce.

I have to agree on the bad carb/belly fat issue: for a while I was doing really well on Weight Watchers, really working the plan (core version) and my belly was where my weight came off FIRST. I've been off the wagon for a bit so to speak and that's where the weight came back on, FIRST! Not 100 percent explanation for belly pudge, but it's half the battle, the other half being genetics. Substitute whole grain pastas, whole grain breads, and brown rice for the white versions. It's a little more expensive but actually more satisfying and so much healthier. Keep us posted!