How's your "pooch"?

[Shirley Panek]

Okay, this may seem like a weird question, but here goes. You know that area below your bellybutton, but above your (ahem!) private area? I have (what I lovingly call) a "pooch", and am wondering if there is a way to get rid of it.

I started working out in February (thanks HLSG - silent lurker here), and do cardio/weights 5 days a week. After every workout I do about 6 minutes of abs. Now, I notice that my pooch has gotten smaller, but (as they say in the old Special K ads) I can still "pinch an inch".

Is this a dietary thing? I mean, if I reduced my calorie intake slightly would that help? Or do I need to do more ab work?

Thanks for any suggestions!

Shirley

[emilycat]

Shirley, you're so silly. :)

I would say you're on the right track. I definitely wouldn't reduce your caloric intake, because that may just cause you to lose intensity during your workouts. The big thing to remember is that it is impossible to spot train. Everyone's body is predisposed to deposit fat in certain areas, and unfortunately, that place will be the last place fat is lost if you're losing weight. So unless you want to lose weight all over, it probably won't disappear that way.
You could increase your ab workouts, but the only thing it will do is tighten the muscles underneath -- which certainly isn't a bad thing, but it won't get rid of the layer of fat on top.
What might be more productive is substitute some different ab exercises to the one's you're already doing. Once your stomach muscles get accustomed to doing the same types of exercises, they learn to adjust and quit having to work as hard. You may be able to tone your muscles further by doing some different types of crunches. Just an idea! :)

[KValley]

Shirley,

Here's a few threads with thoughts on and suggestions for firming up the "pooch"

http://www.cookinglight.com/vbb/search.php?s=&action=showresults&searchid=7049&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending

http://www.cookinglight.com/vbb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9815&highlight=abdominal

I definitely agree with Emily about varying your ab exercises. On one of these threads posted above I mentioned working your "core", so I won't repeat myself here, except to say that pooches are natural and sexy!!

Pinching my inch,

Julie

[slknight]

Just thought I'd let you know that I saw the subject, and thought you were asking how my dog is?! Duh.

I agree with the other responses, but would just add that a lot of it can also be your body shape/body type. I'm much more of a "pear" than an "apple," and although I have struggled with my weight, I've always had a fairly flat stomach with little "pooch." My thighs/butt, on the other hand, are a whole different story. Good luck!

-Susan

[BosunsWife]

I was asking my doctor that same thing. I told him that even though I'm losing weight, I still have this floppy skin between my belly button and my "ahem" LOL! He told me all the sit ups in the world aren't going to get rid of loose skin. Unfortunately because I have gained and lost (many times) large amounts of weight (plus having a baby) the only thing that will get rid of the loose skin is surgery. DH and I have discussed it and as soon as we can afford it I will have the surgery done - until then I just have to deal with the floppy skin. I can do sit ups and ab exercises to firm, but the skin will still be there :( .

[SusieO]

It could be genetics that put the "pooch" there, and it may just be something you have to learn to accept. (Julie's right: they are sexy!) I know that I am at the bottom of the WW weight range for my height which means I am as thin as I will ever be. And I can still pinch an inch.

[guavagirl]

count me in agreement with emilycat, SusieO, and the gang!

nothing new here, except to note that you might want to check out this week's issue of TIME for the article on (in)visible abs. bottom line: genes getcha. on the other hand, having strong abs (whether or not you can see them) is a great thing for posture, energy, and confidence.

and to think that you could have strong abs hiding 'neath a sexy poochythang, well, there's a combo. :)

[m4star]

Shirley-

I was hospitalized in May and lost close to 20 pounds (it's all come back now), but even at that sickly weight I had my pooch. I looked terrible everywhere else (you could easily see my ribs, pelvis, and my face looked positively gaunt) but there was my little friend just hanging around my mid-section. I realized then that I'd have to be near-death thin in order to rid myself of the pooch.

My advice would be to just accept the fact that it's your "womanly figure" and get on with enjoying life.

Keep up the great work with HLSG!!!!

[Shirley Panek]

Just wanted to thank you guys for your posts. My ab workouts are usually varied because I do them in group exercise with a different instructor nearly every day. But I'll definitely try your suggestions.

I guess I'll just keep my pooch and be happy. It has gotten smaller, as I mentioned, but after 2 children it's not quite as sexy as a super models. ;) However, I do have 2 wonderful children, so I guess that's a pretty good payoff.

Have a great day!

Shirley