help with the "inch pinch"

[Phlyergurl]

Hi all,

Female in her late 20's here. In the past year and a half thru diet and excercise(walking/jogging 3.4 miles 4-6 days a week) I've lost 81 pounds. I'm and 9 pounds from my goal, but I have the stomach pouch thing going on. What is the best way to deal with this? Crunches? Pilates? I can't wear a tight shirt with this thing. When I walk/jog, it's basically speed walking for warm up, then jog until muscles burn and walk until I can jog again, unless my knee is acting up, than it's speed walking the whole way.

Thanks for any light that can be shed on the subject.

[Octagon]

Okay, here's the thing...

You're probably looking at a mix of loose skin and a few remaining pounds of excess abdominal fat.

You're not going to be able to specifically target abdominal fat with core body exercises like crunches. The idea that working a specific area will burn the fat stored there is called 'spot reduction' and it is a myth. The body determines where it will store fat and it determines from where it will burn fat. The only thing you can do to get rid of excess abdominal fat is continue a *general* fat loss routine.

As for the skin, well, you just have to be patient. Late 20s is still pretty young and your skin is still reasonably elastic so you should be okay eventually but really all you can do to help things along is keep your skin hydrated (that means inside and out, btw). You might see ads for stretch marks this and loose skin that but for the most part they're just snake oil.

And not for nothing, nice job so far

[Lady C]

Originally Posted by Octagon

As for the skin, well, you just have to be patient. Late 20s is still pretty young and your skin is still reasonably elastic so you should be okay

Yep, just time. It can take over a year after you have lost the weight for the skin to return to normal.

Start some weight training! Building and toning some muscle will help! Hey the guys will start to think you look sexy

[Phlyergurl]

so, keep it up and let time do it's stuff? I drink plenty of water 8-10 cups a day (occasionally more) and I moisturize. My chiropractor mentioned that my skin looked pretty good for the weight loss probably b/c it was over a decent time period. Patience.... I can do that...

Actually, I'm hoping to look into a few different gyms tomorrow for weight training, $$ is an issue, but my medical insurance actually added this as a partial benefit this year which shocked me, so, I go gym shopping tomorrow!

Thanks for the props and the advice, everyone

[Phlyergurl]

Originally Posted by Lady C

Yep, just time. It can take over a year after you have lost the weight for the skin to return to normal.

Start some weight training! Building and toning some muscle will help! Hey the guys will start to think you look sexy

Lady C, OK, I found the gym I'm joining, any specific machines I should work on?

[Cort]

Originally Posted by Phlyergurl

Lady C, OK, I found the gym I'm joining, any specific machines I should work on?

Start out on the free weights if they are available. Learn to do squats, bench press, and deadlifts, and once you have the form down try lifting for some heavy sets of 6-8 reps. Start with the bar if you have to, but take the time to learn proper form, it is very important.

I suggest you look around the site or other places on the internet to find a beginners routine to start with. Remember, don't be afraid of lifting heavy weights, you wont get big/bulky. It will only do good for you.

[Phlyergurl]

Originally Posted by Cort

Start out on the free weights if they are available. Learn to do squats, bench press, and deadlifts, and once you have the form down try lifting for some heavy sets of 6-8 reps. Start with the bar if you have to, but take the time to learn proper form, it is very important.

I suggest you look around the site or other places on the internet to find a beginners routine to start with. Remember, don't be afraid of lifting heavy weights, you wont get big/bulky. It will only do good for you.

Start with free weights? I don't know why, but I was always under the impression that free weight were for someone more advanced :confused:

[Cort]

Nah, just stick to the basics. Squats, deadlifts, bench press, curls, tricep extensions, military press, shrugs, etc...

13 year olds do this stuff...advanced?

[arbit]

And also pullups/pulldowns/rows ..for the lats.
I also recommend free weights. Start with very low weights - learn the form then increase the wieght.

[Phlyergurl]

I thought it was difficult to learn good form with free weights without a trainer, which I don't have. I'm not looking to have a defined look, just want to tone up after weight loss.

Both still think I should go to the free weight room? :confused:

[threenorns]

absolutely, go to the weight room!

and yes, you can learn without an expensive trainer. if you demonstrate reliability and commitment at the weight room, you'll more than likely hook up with an experienced builder.

in the meantime, look at the better-quality muscle mags for clear, definitive photos demonstrating proper form. personally, i like "Shape" magazine. there are also various sites online that have little video clips. these, plus a mirror at the gym will set you right.

[yorkie85]

You don't have to use free weights. Machines are fine for beginners. They've just been unfairly stigmatised for not working the stabiliser muscles. I put on a good 15-20 lbs purely on machines in my first few months.

[Phlyergurl]

I just took off weight, I don't want to put much back on, just want to tone, really.

[Lady C]

Rules to remember
1 -There is no such thing as tone - tone really means add muscle.
2 - YOU WILL NOT LOOK LIKE A MAN. You need to add muscle to maintain good health and looks. Go look at all the progress pics in the female section.
3 - Forget the scale use the mirror
4 - Eat for what you are about to do and Eat frequently
5 - Exercise daily
6 - Live

[Phlyergurl]

Thanks again, everyone.