Need help getting rid of a spare tyre...

[Beefmeister]

No, not some dodgy Chin Wang remould, but the man spare tyre. I'm sure this has been covered but as usual the Search is borked so i'll ask again.

Bit of background:

I'm 34. Over the last 3 years I've lost 27kg by eating properly and exercising more. However I've now started hitting the gym a lot more in the last 2 months. I'm 6ft 3 and now weigh 92kg with quite a lot of muscle mass.

Pilates 5 times a week to strengthen my back (slipped disc 5yrs ago), then i go to the gym 5 or 6 times per week for around an hour. Generally do around 500 calories-worth of cardio on the treadmill and rowing machine (according to my Polar HRM), then alternate weights on different body areas.

I've managed to really build up well and am really happy with my arms, back, legs, chest etc, they're getting to be where i'm really happy with the way they look (plenty of toned muscle). The only bit that is a real bh to shift is my spare tyre.

I sit at a computer all day, but since going to the gym i'm eating around 1600 calories per day of all healthy stuff. Lots of protein and veg. Little carbs.

Is there anything specific I can do to remove the spare tyre? I just thought that as I lost more weight it would go but that doesn't seem to be the case.

Thanks in advance.

[RemainAllHoof]

Beefmeister said:

since going to the gym i'm eating around 1600 calories per day of all healthy stuff. Lots of protein and veg. Little carbs.

No pints of beer after work? As far as I can tell, you're doing everything right. Is it not going down slowly?

[Beefmeister]

No booze at all really. Have had about 3 pints in the last 2 months.

The weight is coming off slowly, just more slowly on the spare tyre. I know it will go eventually but would loads of crunches help?

[cheadle hulme]

Crunches wont help - you can't target where the weight will come off. It comes off last where it went on first generally.

[Brother D]

No spot reduction possible I'm afraid...

Your abs are there, just hiding well. - You should be doing crunches obiques etc as part of your core training anyway.

Keep at it - you are heading in the right direction. My colleauge started training with a large beer belly at age 41. One year later he has incredibly defined abs that shame mine, and from doing nothing apart from ensuring he eats the right food and working out regularly.

Have you tried:

Including swimming as part of your routine?
Read reviews of supplements that can sometimes help speed things up a little.
Read the research on cold therapy - some of this points to benfits of regular immersion in cold water for fat reduction.

Edited by Brother D on Friday 4th November 13:13

[Ordinary_Chap]

1600 calories a day at 92kg and exercising? You're under-eating would be my first thought.

Also can you post your usual diet so folk can comment on it?

[Beefmeister]

Sure.

Brekkie: big bowl of muesli, banana cut up in it, skimmed milk. Yakult. Glass of OJ.

Lunch: Varies. Ham sandwich (4slices whole meal bread)/super noodles/leftovers.

Dinner: curried veg, prepared with small amount of olive oil, rice / chicken veg and pesto / veg omelette.

Usually have an apple during the day, and drink about 6 litres of water.

Worth noting that I live in Delhi so healthy food is rather limited.

I think one issue is that after work, gym then shower its gone 9 before we eat, and then we're in bed by 10:30.

[bint]

If you're in Delhi, would wait local food not be better? I may be naive here but thought it was predominantly a vegetarian diet with little or no refined carbs.

I am no health/nutritional expert though.

[RemainAllHoof]

bint said:

If you're in Delhi, would wait local food not be better? I may be naive here but thought it was predominantly a vegetarian diet with little or no refined carbs.

I am no health/nutritional expert though.

I know a family who eat traditional Indian food as they are Hindu... they're obese!