Crunches don't reduce belly size

[Emohawkus]

You cannot make your belly smaller by doing ab work, or burn belly fat by doing crunches.

Overall this is a true statement, but something to think about is your body doesnt like storing fat in areas that are active. So the more you work your abs, the less likely your body will want to store fat there....but if you exercise all of your muscles often (I guess most people on this forum do, so just ignore me :) ) then it has no choice but to store fat in the place your DNA decides it should go. As for changing the size of your belly, if you haven't really done much ab work before, you will lose an inch or two simply because your muscles become tighter and not haning out lose.

[CoachBeezy03]

So what do you recommend for reducing belly fat?

[Emohawkus]

err....kinda working on that myself....I'll let you know what ends up working...once I can get rid of my bloody chocolate cravings.
Planning to shed 2" by the end of August, 37.5" to 3.5"

My plan, currently 184lb, 37.5" waist, 5'6" tall

Phase 1
Reduce total cals from 3000 per day to 2700-2800
No junk food
40% 40% 20% split
Weight is morning, training for strength 4-6 rep range
Evening, 30mins martail arts training

Phase 2
Reduce cals if needed
Add cardio if MA training isn't hitting it, probably 30minutes of bag work, 9x3 min rounds

[CoachBeezy03]

Keep us updated on your progress! There are plenty of knowlegeable people on here who can advise you on what has worked for them. That is what I love about this site!

Eating healthy, and often, reducing bad foods, and drinking a ton of water all day long, as well as daily workouts really work for me, but everyone is different. Good luck!

[bigblue]

Sounds like Emohawkus has a good plan.
The only way i know to do it is what Coach just explained.
You can not just do crunches or a fancy abb machine and get the results with out changing your diet.

[jerrywear]

i have no IDEA how i missed this thread
shame on me

[jerrywear]

very and very good points
and in most cases MEN do store fat in the lower abs and lower back areas
and ladies hamstrings, ass, lover back and triceps
kind of silly but true

and by working that part more then others(whatever you pick) i think we all know not going to work, thats just sucks.

You cannot make your belly smaller by doing ab work, or burn belly fat by doing crunches.

Overall this is a true statement, but something to think about is your body doesnt like storing fat in areas that are active. So the more you work your abs, the less likely your body will want to store fat there....but if you exercise all of your muscles often (I guess most people on this forum do, so just ignore me :) ) then it has no choice but to store fat in the place your DNA decides it should go. As for changing the size of your belly, if you haven't really done much ab work before, you will lose an inch or two simply because your muscles become tighter and not haning out lose.

[jerrywear]

LOVE YOUR CARDIO and i mean it.
ok few things, DONT CUT YOUR CALORIES for your weight it really not that much.
You can get out bad carbs out and replace with good carbs.
If you want to loose a bit faster you need to cut your cabs down but increase FAT, we all know that i am not taking about butter ;) but OMEGA-3 and such, so just a heads up on that
Because by doing that you will loose weight great deal, still will keep your muscle and will look full.
if you just cut your calories that just going to get your weight down fast as well, but after that your body will crave carbs, and once you get back to carbs(higher carbs that is) your body will store it, and that would be in the form of fat.
so i thought i will pitch in just a bit

err....kinda working on that myself....I'll let you know what ends up working...once I can get rid of my bloody chocolate cravings.
Planning to shed 2" by the end of August, 37.5" to 3.5"

My plan, currently 184lb, 37.5" waist, 5'6" tall

Phase 1
Reduce total cals from 3000 per day to 2700-2800
No junk food
40% 40% 20% split
Weight is morning, training for strength 4-6 rep range
Evening, 30mins martail arts training

Phase 2
Reduce cals if needed
Add cardio if MA training isn't hitting it, probably 30minutes of bag work, 9x3 min rounds