Can't run, tummy needs to go?

Question

I'm of acceptable weight and I look fine everywhere, but I've a tummy. I can't run because I've got knee problems. What's the best way to get rid of tummy fat? I've heard that crunches/sit ups don't work on their own.

Answer 1

You can't choose where your body gains or loses weight, but you can control what you eat and how much you exercise. You don't mention your age, height or weight, but if you have some excess flab, losing that weight will help your knee problems, too!

If you don't exercise much, your body doesn't have much muscle. So any extra weight you carry is fat, like the tummy you mention. The best way to lose that fat is to exercise and build muscle. The best way to start out is to walk, ride a bike, or swim. Swimming might be best depending on how bad your knees are. Work up to 30-45 minutes, 4-5 times a week, working hard enough that you are breathing heavy. If you are just starting out, that is enough to build some muscle and get in shape. Crunches are OK, but it's better to work out lots of muscles at once, instead of just one small set of muscles.

But you should also consider keeping a food diary. Write down everything you eat, and how much. If you aren't losing any pounds or inches after a week or two of real exercise, then start adding up those calories to see whether you really are eating as much as you should. People don’t always notice how much they eat, but they notice that belly whenever they put on their jeans or swimsuit.

Building some muscle and eating right go a long way toward losing that tummy and since muscle burns calories 24/7, you will be able to 'pig out' once in a while, and your pants will still fit the next day.

Answer 2

There is no such thing as "spot reduction". There is no exercise or diet that will cause you to lose fat from only one targeted area of your body. You can target the muscles in one area, but not the fat. Crunches and sit-ups will strengthen the ab muscles, and will burn calories causing you to lose fat from your whole body.

Nobody says you have to run to get a good aerobic workout. Walking 1 mile and running 1 mile both burn the same amount of calories. Walking just takes longer to complete that mile. But it is still a very form of exercise and is a lot gentler on your knees. You can also try ellipticals and exercise bikes to get the heart pumping.

More important than all of this is your diet. Eat healthy and try cutting down on the number of calories you eat each day. Spread it out over 5 to 6 meals during the day. Make sure you eat lots of proteins and good carbs, and cut down on the fatty foods and refined sugars. And drink lots of water.

Answer 3

I was so the same as you! I am of a slim frame but always had abit of a tummy. I started swimming about 2 months ago and the difference is amazing. Its now flat as an ironing board. Swimming also helps with your posture and the straighter you stand the less your tummy shows! So get down the Local Pool and do a few laps.

I do 45 minutes swimming twice a week!

Good Luck

Answer 4

I'd recommend lots of swimming, which is low impact and provides little stress on the joints. Start off by doing 3 lots of 20 lengths (30m) per week. Vary this maybe with rowing once or twice a week for 10 minutes. Add this into 50 - 75 crunches/sit ups per day and you should notice an improvement! Best of luck.

Answer 5

Actually, that's a misnomer. Crunches and sit-ups can do quite a decent job at shaping those abs up. The difficulty is in the need for a gazillion reps in order to burn the fat in the isolated area. It's totally do-able, it'll just take time every day to burn it down. Crunches will be your friend, as well as leg lifts (to work the lower abs).

Lay flat on your back and lift your legs straight into the air. Roll your butt off of the ground, pushing your extended legs straight into the air towards the cieling.

Also try (forgive me, I just don't know any other name for the excersize) sex-ups.

Start out flat on your stomach. Lift your chest off of the ground using your forearms as support (like you are watching TV or something) keeping your hands folded in front of you. Now lift the rest of your body into the air while supporting your weight on your forearms and toes. Extend your butt into the air as high as you can, and then bring it down as close to the ground as possible without touching it. You'll definitly feel a burn from that one...

Answer 6

It depends...Do you have FAT to lose or are you bloated?
I think a good start is decreasing intake overall and increasing fiber.
Then start a core training program.
Lunges, Sit ups, Crunches...so many to choose from.
If you can't run, SPEED WALK. That's what I do, I have the same problem. AND Keep good posture. This is a must.

Answer 7

Sit Ups and Crunches work perfectly for my tummy.. i feel that it is less tummyful and more muscular.. but for a girl.. maybe juz some plain jogging and sweating is enough.. keep on ur diet.. and rest a lot.. dun munch on snacks when watching tv or anything.. juz plain and follow ur menu when having ur meal..

Answer 8

You need to combine aerobic excercise with a low fat diet.

spinning(cycling in place) is the best aerobic activity there is for burning calories, followed closely by swimming in second

Answer 9

Cruntches and sit-ups will tone the abs. The only way to lose body fat is through good exercise, nutrition, sleeping habits. You cant aim to lose in one area, it is overall body fat that is reduced.

Answer 10

This exercise will help you to keep your back strong and help you to improve your posture. If you are not used to doing strenous exercises, try and avoid it till you are ready for resisted exercises. Try and keep your tummy tucked in while walking, standing, sitting or doing exercises. This will help you to keep your abdominal toned up and give you faster results for reducing your stomach.