Hello,

I am new to this forum and have a question.... I am a 22 and am trying to lose weight. As of now i weigh about 150 (down from 200 about a year ago). My main goal is to either lose the weight or just tone it. I am not that concerned with the size clothes i wear (size 10) but with the appearance of my stomach.....It seem like no matter how much i lose my stomach is still flabby. I know that when i get down to my ideal weight that it will go away, but is that any specific exercises that will target that area now??? As of now, I go to the gym a few times a week and ride the stationary bike.....

thanks for you help, and i hope i have articulated my problem correctly!!

Jen

jen...tae bo is great for abs..not too sure about your sign in name...worries me a bit..hope you are trying for healthy habits in all areas of your life!!! :D

150 for someone who is 5' 8" is a pretty ideal weight..120 seems way too low to me..and size 10 is pretty awesome too...so i think toning is a better way to go than losing more weight..working with weights is the best way to tone your body...could you check into doing that at the gym?? :lift:

The exercise forum can also give you some great tips, I would say any exercise will help, but like sooz, I can't help but wonder about your name... WELCOME!!

I have a saltwater aquarium with living coral...hence the name goodreefer...coral reefs......!!! thanks for the tips!!!

Jen

:doh: sorry for any...ummm...well I just feel darned stupid!!

well here in california reefer means something else entirely...:tomato:

(Washington, too--hit me with your tomato, sooz)

:tomato: jessica there you go!! love those tomatos!!


hope you are not offended jen..just so you know there was a corn ball movie in the 50s or 60s ..very famous..called "Reefer Madness" just so you dont think we are mean or something..your name really could be taken differently than what you intend :peace:

I think a great all toning excercise is jogging or running, it seems to just trim inches off everywhere, and while doing it think about tightening your stomach throughout the whole run (or slower jog).

I'm with sooz - 120 seems kind of low for your height. Once upon a time, I was 125 and kind of stringy (and see how short I am?). I think I got even lower later on, and everyone thought I had anorexia. So yeah. I wouldn't try to go much lower in weight, but toning up would be a good goal.

And I also agree with sooz about using weights. Weights will really tighten you up all over, although they won't necessarily help you lose weight because muscle weighs more than fat. You could also start doing some crunches - if you do them and you're not sore in your tummy the next day (or if your neck/back hurts), have a trainer help you out with your form.

If you're not sure how to use the weights, and can afford it, I'd also recommend buying a few sessions with a certified trainer. A good trainer can really help you improve the efficiency and effectiveness of your program. If you can't afford it, take a look around for some books/videos on weightlifting. I bet there are folks around here who could recommend some good ones.

See also:

http://www.exrx.net/Exercise.html
http://www.stumptuous.com/weights.html