i've lost a few pounds but the fat on the belly just won't go away. i starting doing situps and different abdominal workouts. does anyone know how it suppose to look like? will it look bigger? Will doing situps and other ab workouts make me look fatter in the midsection? also, does anyone have any good expereinces with losing fat in the midsection? (i've been trying to lose weight since dec of last year but everything seems to be getting smaller except my tummy)
thanks

situps and ab work will not do anything to help the "belly fat". If anything, it can make it look worse because you will be building muscles underneath and actually "push" your stomach out. The only real thing you can do is to continue to work on the cardio ...

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I've come to the conclusion that the only purpose in doing ab exercises is if you want a 6-pack, are a size 2, and have next to no body fat. Unless you have some reason to actually need strong abs.

I read somewhere that cardio (high intensity cardio, I believe) melts fat on the INSIDE of your abdominal wall. There's the fat outside, which is what you can see and what you can feel, and then there is fat on the inside protecting your organs. Both contribute to how your tummy looks.

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so how do i make the tummy fat go away? just cardio? (lots of cardio?) and is it possible for a overweigh or obses person to lose enough fat to have visable abs?

I have the same problem, the last place I lose is in my stomach. What has really helped me is doing cardio that uses the core like kickboxing. Also doing crunches on a stability ball has made a big difference. I would not worry about bulking your mid section from crunches. I have noticed a big difference just because my stomach is stronger, I don't even have to think about sucking in, it just stays that way.

I"ve found that certain moves help more than others in exercise.

Example: Feet together and stand straight then hold your arms out in front of you making a triangle shape with your fingers. Hold this position then turn your body to the right side and back eight time, then do the same for the left side: and repeat 8 times.

Did that make sense? I'm bad at explaining myself...hope I was helpful.

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Abs are made in the kitchen first and foremost its diet and cardio and lastly situps and abdominal exercises.
abs exercises are not only for a sit pack, its good to strenghthen your whole core not only does it protect your back, it gives you better posture(which can make you look skinnier always good )

an over weight person can have amazingly strong abs, heck the whole 6 pack, the fat has to come of em to see em, it is possible for and obese person to get there, it takes time and dedication though..it wont be done overnight

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i think your right about the body fat, i read you have to have 15% BF or less for your 6 pack to show.

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This is SOO true. The fact is-- being in shape isn't just about having a pretty body. We all want figures we're happy with, but I would like to think health is more important!

It's important to have a strong core so you can keep up the cardio-- the stronger your back and core muscles are, the less likely you are to sustain an injury that would keep you off your feet or away from cardio for a while.

That said, doing 500 crunches daily won't really help you too much. Vary core exercises with squats say... for ten minutes after your cardio session. Do 50 crunches with your legs up in the air varying left-center-right. Choose some other core exercises that work for you-- take a pilates class for ideas.

The tummy will come off as you lose weight, eat well, and make your body healthy-- and remember, no one is perfect. We all have our little problem areas.

I have to agree with a lot of what has been said here and disagree with some of it as well. Yeah, you can do crunches till your head explodes and you won't have a 6 pack. However, having a strong core is very important for many reasons. I can't say I agree that doing ab work will push out your abdomen and make it look bigger because tightening the ab muscles tends to draw them in. It's the same concept as tensing the abs. If you're just sitting and you tense your abs, you will notice they draw in somewhat. I won't say I'm an expert but I agree that it takes a combination of diet, cardio and ab exercises to flatten the belly.

So don't give up the ab work! It's very important to the end result. Just remember you need to get the diet and cardio work right as well.