Newbie Question and Answer

[F_Mac]

Post up your diet and training schedule.............then we can help.

[BobFlex]

Hi, I'm trying to lose some fat around my abdominals. I'm 5'9, and somewhere around 225 and 230, I haven't checked the scale in a long time. I'm just curious of why I seem to be getting bigger around that area. I work out an hour a day five days a week. I do 30 mins of cardio and 30 mins of weights. I've taken out all the junk food, and only get fast food once a week (usually on my off days). I watch my calories and make sure I stay around 1600. I see great improvement on my muscles, but that dreaded stomach isn't getting any smaller, any ideas?

Have you taken measurements of your midsection? Or is this something you perceive when you look in the mirror?

Also, your caloric intake seems fairly low. Depending on your age you might want to bump it up several hundred more per day.

[BobFlex]

Umm...I never measured my midsection. I guess it's something I see, because when I look in the mirror it looks like it's getting flabbier. I'm 16, so how much calorie intake to you suggest?

[F_Mac]

for most men, the abdominal area is the last place they will drop fat from. If you are getting leaner all over, proportionally, your midsection may look larger.

That is why Ironman suggested taking a measurement, recording it, and seeing if it changes.

[BobFlex]

Cool, thanks for the tip guys, any suggestion on my calorie intake? I'm trying to stay around 1600, but Iron man said that's too low.

See what happens when you keep them around 2000 to 2200. You should strive to lose a pound or two per week.

[BobFlex]

Ok, another question. When I look at the nutrition facts on the back, do I look at CALORIES or CALORIES FROM FAT? And is it true that it's not what you eat, but how much you eat?

[Maxgain]

Originally Posted by BobFlex

Ok, another question. When I look at the nutrition facts on the back, do I look at CALORIES or CALORIES FROM FAT? And is it true that it's not what you eat, but how much you eat?

-Calories

-as far as weight gain loss (muscle and fat) goes its how much as far as health performance and preferential muscle gain or fat loss you need to account for what

[BobFlex]

Originally Posted by Maxgain

-Calories

-as far as weight gain loss (muscle and fat) goes its how much as far as health performance and preferential muscle gain or fat loss you need to account for what

When they say it's not what you eat, but how much you eat, do they mean that if you eat Mcdonalds for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and exercise; that it's the exact same as eating a whole bunch of nutritious stuff all day?

[sooner_ed]

Originally Posted by BobFlex

When they say it's not what you eat, but how much you eat, do they mean that if you eat Mcdonalds for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and exercise; that it's the exact same as eating a whole bunch of nutritious stuff all day?

Is that a trick question?

Think about what you're putting into your body at McDonalds.

[BobFlex]

No, I heard it on some fitness show, I probably worded it wrong but I don't even eat Mcdonalds like that, I used it as an example. Can you answer my question?

[Lady C]

Originally Posted by BobFlex

When they say it's not what you eat, but how much you eat, do they mean that if you eat Mcdonalds for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and exercise; that it's the exact same as eating a whole bunch of nutritious stuff all day?

Yes and No. :confused:
Yes, total calories are what counts. BUUTTT if you eat lots of sh!t, it does not take long to add up to your total calories. Quality of those calories count as well as total amount. Most take-out meals are more than 500 calories (mostly fat and carbs). It would take lots of chicken breast and veggies to add up to 500 calories. You are what you eat!!

[BobFlex]

OOOOOOOOOOOOO! Thanks!

[BobFlex]

Another question, what other exercises besides crunches can I do to shape up my mid-section? Oh, and bumping up my calorie intake really helped, thanks.