Getting Over A Plateau

[VidelCoolGirl]

I worked out almost everyday since December until March, and lost a ton of weight. I mean, compared to the start of the school year, I look great, but of course like every woman, I struggle with the stomach.

With as much as I've been working out, and how I eat, I should by now have that flat tummy we all aspire for; yet, I've been stuck at this weight forever it seems. Its oddly discouraging, but I'm not sure how to get over it. I've been at 160 since March.

Aside from just doing more of the same exercise, are there any suggestions for getting over this hurdle? Mr. Manly Man Reidar, I'm looking to you for advice.

[Spadesy]

A flat stomach is all about cardiovascular exercise and what you eat (more important than how often you eat). If you do both of these things really well, then you will lower your body fat percentage enough to see your abs poke out from the layer of fat everybody has around there. Just keep doing what you are doing Videl, you'll get close to your endstate eventually.

However, keep in mind that genetics are important when it comes to appearance as well. Some people will never have abs, even if they starve themselves enough to look like a P.O.W. But I have seen many guys with what one would consider "flubby" guts run faster and longer than skinnier guys simply because of previous training and/or mental endurace.

Appearance is cool, but isn't necessarily indicative of function.

[The Million Dollar Prons]

Count calories, do cardio exercise, drink more water. Also weigh naked (and invite me beforehand), after sleeping and before eating and drinking.

Sometimes the scale can be a problem, clean the bottom of it (in my bathroom the feet of the scale attract all sorts of nasty stuff) and make sure you're weighing on a flat surface, not on carpet or something. But don't get in the habbit of blaming the scale.

You could also try using a fatburner supplement to get over a plateu. I don't know anything about fatburners so you'll need to look them up yourself.

But remember, getting your BF % measured with calipers (sic) is a lot better than weighing on the scale. Not all 160 is created equal.

Beside I like women with meat.

[Old Ape Face]

A flat stomach is all about cardiovascular exercise and what you eat (more important than how often you eat). If you do both of these things really well, then you will lower your body fat percentage enough to see your abs poke out from the layer of fat everybody has around there. Just keep doing what you are doing Videl, you'll get close to your endstate eventually.

However, keep in mind that genetics are important when it comes to appearance as well. Some people will never have abs, even if they starve themselves enough to look like a P.O.W. But I have seen many guys with what one would consider "flubby" guts run faster and longer than skinnier guys simply because of previous training and/or mental endurace.

Appearance is cool, but isn't necessarily indicative of function.

Agreed, as Reidar said, you can lift a lot of weight and build a lot of strength without gaining any weight.

or in this case you don't need to lose weight to keep in physical fit health.

[Reidar]

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." -Einstein

Were you adjusting your food intake as you lost weight? The lighter you get, the less calories you need in a day to attain a deficit. If you'd been eating consistently, then what would have been a deficit at one weight would eventually become your maintenance amount at a lower one. I don't even advocate counting. Just estimate, and if you don't see results, then eat slightly less the next day. Repeat.

I have an unfinished weight loss article on my site, so check off that you're doing all the fundamentals: http://ironechelon.webs.com/FatLoss.htm

Also, fat burners (http://ironechelon.webs.com/DietPills.htm) are a scam.

[Trefellin]

I don't know much about fitness but I understand that exercising increases muscle mass and losing weight is about using the fat stored in your body without replacing it through what you eat. Correct?

[The Million Dollar Prons]

Also, fat burners (http://ironechelon.webs.com/DietPills.htm) are a scam.

Really? Sometimes I see people on websites talking about "fat burner" supplments when they're cutting BF. Are they misinformed or did I get my wires crossed somewhere?

[Old Ape Face]

Really? Sometimes I see people on websites talking about "fat burner" supplments when they're cutting BF. Are they misinformed or did I get my wires crossed somewhere?

In my opinion, if it's anywhere but from an authoritative source (meaning if it's not from people who've experienced it themselves and are wise about that information) For Example: Just listening to Reidar and reading the book, and that website he linked. All that knowledge tells me that Reidar, and that book and that website are not simply pulling BS out of thin air. They are spot on dedicated and truthful about their practices. Then I would feel embarrassed to believe anything from somewhere else.

Other wise everything else might just be as Reidar put it a scam.

[Reidar]

Yeah, they're misinformed. Same with the people who buy into the nitric oxide supplement craze. Look how popular Hydroxycut was, and now it's been recalled.

[Old Ape Face]

I got that book instructed by that link you offered and it says that the weight machines (the mechanical ones, not the barbells) are useless compared to barbell formation and power lifting.

So being fit is attacked by the corporate douche bags who just want to sell to lazy people who wont bother to learn the techniques of real weight lifting.

[Reidar]

You bought Starting Strength? Great investment.

As for machines: "When the movement is constrained, the performer may exert force in a direction different from the direction of motion and still perform the task. The actual constraints - the tangible physical obstacles to movement - may completely change joint torques. Consequently, different muscle groups may act when body motion is free or is actually (physically) constrained. In particular, when working on strength exercise machines, the direction of the end-point force and the joint torques may be quite distinct from what is observed in lifting or holding free weights. This is detrimental for athletes whose immediate goal is performance improvement." -Vladimir Zatsiorsky, Science and Practice of Strength Training

[Spadesy]

^ Agreed. Free weights and calisthenics FTMFW. Now that is real strength.

[Rurouni Saiyan]

Funny you should mention calisthenics. There are crunches that I do as part of my martial arts training where you balance yourself on your lower back to the upper part of your butt and crunch. Another nifty ab exercise is to get in a push up position, except your elbows and forearm are lying flat on the floor. Then hold that position for as long as you can. It works wonders.

[Onigiri]

I normally practice resistance training to condition my midsection. Though, I hardly ever do crunches because they hurt my back and I've never really felt any results. I'm obviously doing them wrong... But I'd rather do kettle/medicine ball exercises anyway.

[Reidar]

Kettleballs rule.