Reducing my belly flab

secret_squirrel

Been a member of a gym almost 9 months now. Overall really pleased with the results. Im aiming for good overall fitness and tone. My speed, stamina and strength are way higher than they used to be. My arms and legs are starting to look nicely toned (at least to my eyes )

I've also dropped a waist size down to what I consider my 'fighting' size (ie the size I was as a teenager)

What I'd like to do now is target some of my belly flab, now I know its notoriously hard to get rid of - so Im not looking for miracles like a six pack or anything. I'd just like to get to the stage where my chest sticks out more than my belly.

Im wondering which of these methods might work.

1. Add 4th night at gym. (I already play footy one night when Im not in the gym.

2. Add more cardio (currentl 3/4hr weights and 20-25 cardio (5k run or similar) - heading for a 20 min 5k

3. Electro muscle belt thing (Do these work if well/at all if you combine them with 'proper' exercise?

4. Doctor atkins and his wonder diet - Seems to be very effective if you follow it properly with all the supplements and stuff. (Does scare me a bit tho...)

5. You suggest something.....

silverside

4th night gym - do it if you want but it's just more of the same

more cardio - yes - you only start to burn fat instead of carbs after about 15/20 minutes, so a long jog/cycle/football game at the weekend would burn fat, as would walking/cycling to work.

electro muscle belt - may give a little bit of definition, but i assume you are already doing some ab work as part of your gym routine, so dont bother.

atkins - NOOOOO!!!! - low carb diet will rob you of all your energy for training, and lead to bad breath, stress on kidneys, etc

usual stuff about cutting down on beer&chips & increasing fruit&veg.

Stark

If you don't want to do low-carb, do slow-carb. Cut down on beer/sugar. Eat wholewheat versions of foods. Leave the skins on your potatoes. Rely more on fruits/vegetables for carbohydrates.

Stubborn fat on the belly is due to insulin resistance. The only way to get rid of it is to cut down on your insulin production, so eat foods with low glycemic index, ie: complex carbohydrates. Also eat more protein, it also slows down the digestion of carbohydrates. Although you're probably eating lots of protein anyway if you're doing lots of gym work.

Electro muscle belt won't work as it isn't really possible to spot-reduce fat. In fact, building more muscle here will probably encourage even more fat deposits on your abs if you're producing lots of insulin (Muscles respond to insulin, which causes fat storage. Lots of muscles getting good blood supply in area+high insulin levels means lots of fat storage in that area. Ab muscles tend to be most sensitivie to insulin. Once your insulin levels are sorted out however, the muscles should work to your advantage instead).