HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

I Have Excess Fatness Above And Below My Belly

Hi, I'm only 18 but i have excess belly fat above and below my belly button. I've tried working out and diets but it's hard to see any results. Anything wrong?
Thu, 3 Nov 2011
Report Abuse
  User's Response
's  Response
Nothing, absolutely nothing is wrong with you. This is actually the norm. A lot of people believe that you need to do crunches and sit-ups and all of these stomach exercises, and while these will help to strengthen those muscles, cardio (I've found) is better for losing fat. The first fat you're going to lose is the parts of your body that get toned easily.
I also have trouble with seeing results in myself, so I made a chart on the computer and I measure my stomach and hips every few days to see if anything changed :)
Stop eating excess sugar if you're doing that. But the sad truth is that there's no way to 'easily' lose the fat. The way I see it, if you got the fat as a slow progression over a long period of time, it is a slow progression towards taking it off as well. Just don't give up!!! Exercising and nutrition are extremely important even if you don't see results, you are doing your body good and it will be good to you in return!

If you have a scale available with a body fat % on it, track this every day! Sometimes your weight won't change, or you won't feel like you look different, but your body fat % may have reduced!

(remember, you see yourself everyday, all the time, so you're not going to be able to notice subtle changes that other people might!)
  User's Response
jamie's  Response
Thanks a lot caitlin for your help. For now, i workout few times a week, almost alternately in days, cardio: walk/run on treadmill for half hour, some pilates and crunches. I try to eat smaller portions now but not choosy yet avoid deep fried food. It really isn't easy to see the fat gone off my body but i'll still work hard! It would be nice if u share ur story with us too :)
  User's Response
jcrawford98's  Response
Caitlin, that is very good advice I will try that.!
General & Family Physician Dr. P. Mahesh's  Response
Hi jamie,
Welcome to HCM.
There is nothing wrong with you. Take part in more of outdoor sports activities, avoid spending long hours in front of that idiot box, limit you intake of short eats like french fries, ice-creams, deep fried meats etc. Do regular jogging and if possible swimming.
You should be able to see results very soon.
Wish you all the best.
I find this answer helpful
Gastroenterologist Dr. Gourdas Choudhuri's  Response
Hi,

Sometimes it is difficult to say whether indeed the fat on our belly is really too much. As a rough guide, you could find out your body mass index or BMI. It tells you whether your weight is appropriate for your height, and what needs to be your target regarding your weight.

For flattening your abdomen, abdominal crunches work well, though it may take some time.

Your BMI will tell you whether you need to modify your diet.

It is not an insurmountable problem, but requires some perseverance. Take care. GC

I find this answer helpful
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Recent questions on Abdominal obesity


Loading Online Doctors....
I Have Excess Fatness Above And Below My Belly

Nothing, absolutely nothing is wrong with you. This is actually the norm. A lot of people believe that you need to do crunches and sit-ups and all of these stomach exercises, and while these will help to strengthen those muscles, cardio (I've found) is better for losing fat. The first fat you're going to lose is the parts of your body that get toned easily. I also have trouble with seeing results in myself, so I made a chart on the computer and I measure my stomach and hips every few days to see if anything changed :) Stop eating excess sugar if you're doing that. But the sad truth is that there's no way to 'easily' lose the fat. The way I see it, if you got the fat as a slow progression over a long period of time, it is a slow progression towards taking it off as well. Just don't give up!!! Exercising and nutrition are extremely important even if you don't see results, you are doing your body good and it will be good to you in return! If you have a scale available with a body fat % on it, track this every day! Sometimes your weight won't change, or you won't feel like you look different, but your body fat % may have reduced! (remember, you see yourself everyday, all the time, so you're not going to be able to notice subtle changes that other people might!)