belly fat/ what to do

[davek]

Hello Folks, 49 yrs old, working out 3-4X's wkly & now adding cardio on off days or opposite sides of weight days = 6 gym days sometimes 7.

First: How long before I begin seeing a difference in the midd section? or, what should I be doing to speed up losing this FAT!

Second: I've elliminated anything Breads & staying away from Junk Food..Now, I've always been good about NOT eating crummy stuff, yeah not perfect but at 49 it seems I only have to look at chocolate or donuts etc etc & it goes right to the middle of me..

Last: Like I said, I've been working out for many years - Not like a pro but just to stay in decent shape & I am.. It's this mid section that NEEDS the help & it's getting pretty frustrating!!

What do you suggest? Thanks Dave

[dogsoldier]

Friend, I really feel your pain on this one.

As we get older that belly fat just gets stickier and stickier.

You have pretty much started doing what I am also, more cardio, less weights (HATE IT!). Try to get your calories about 5-700 below your maintenance level.

Take Omega-3 fish oils pills DHA/EPA) roughly 3-5 grams per day.

I will probably get some flack for what is coming next, but eat nothing white. No pasta, no white rice or potatoes. Watch foods that give you an insulin spike. I have no data to back me up but as we get older our ability to handle insulin decreases to varying degrees. Look around and look up insulin resistant diet plans. There are tons out there; so many it can be really confusing. Grab a food chart from one of those sites that give you the glycemic index of foods. Eat anything you want as long as the GI is under 50.

In a nutshell here is what you eat:

Proteins from of LEAN meat, poultry and fish

Carbs from non-starchy green veggies, slow cook oatmeal, beans and other similar sources.

Fats will come from the fish oils and the protein sources.

No booze, beer or soda. Keep your sugar intake as low as possible.

Hopefully someone can do a better job at replying than I have.

Just keep in mind, no matter what system you try, it is comes down to a calories in versus calories burned game. You are on the right track with the cardio.

Good luck.

[mitchcumstein]

You probably have low testosterone. If you do youre gonna find it alot harder to lose weight even on the cleanest of diets. My dad was naturally lean up till his mid 40's. He eats great and plays tennis 4 times a week but since he hit about 45 started gaining a pound a year. Hes 67 now.



Next time you go get a checkup just ask your doc to check your testosterone levels. Then if you want you could probabably go on Hormone Replacement Therapy.

[joemomma]

Agree with mitch, get your test levels checked. Low test is the cause of many troubles for men as we age. Also, for your diet, I'll recommend the Sugar Busters diet - it really works. It's not really a diet though, it's more of a healthier way to eat.

[davek]

Sorry for the Q on this one but what does low testosterone mean? Is it the sex drive stuff??

& is their a solution if testosterone is part of the problem?

Thanks Dave

PS/ getting great info here & really appreciate the help.

[vassille]

Yea, as we age testosterone levels and Growth hormone decrease which will make drastic changes in your body's appearance. THe only way to keep lean is to eat like a bird, very lean low cal diet.

How's your sex drive? This is a pretty good indication of your test levels to a certain degree. However, growth hormons are even more responsible for fat loss or gained.

[davek]

Excellent Info! I've already changed to low cal & small portions & am seeing results, as well as seeing "beginning" results from my workout routine.

So far doing pretty good & feel pretty good about these changes!!!

GREAT FORUM.................

[joemomma]

Signs of low test include low sex drive, lethargy/lack of energy, and weight gain especially around the middle.

There are many solutions if you are diagnosed with low test. Test replacement therapy - basically a low dose of test administered by your doctor. Just make sure you get a doc who knows what's up. Or you can self-administer

[benahavis]

I am a 47 year old woman - so first of all should I be posting to the women out there, or here as I am over 40?
I live in the UK and have just found this forum. I have just lost 28lbs and have another 42lbs to go, but I do not want to do it by just starving myself. I want to get a lean body that will help me attain the weight and figure I am looking for and also to maintain it that way as long as possible.
I have recently seen Tiffany Forni on the net and think that she is a great example of what a woman can do when she wants to.
So - is iy testosterone that causes a wmoans belly fat too?????

[vassille]

Originally Posted by davek

Excellent Info! I've already changed to low cal & small portions & am seeing results, as well as seeing "beginning" results from my workout routine.

So far doing pretty good & feel pretty good about these changes!!!

GREAT FORUM.................

Thank you sir!
Glad we can help

[vassille]

Originally Posted by benahavis

I am a 47 year old woman - so first of all should I be posting to the women out there, or here as I am over 40?
I live in the UK and have just found this forum. I have just lost 28lbs and have another 42lbs to go, but I do not want to do it by just starving myself. I want to get a lean body that will help me attain the weight and figure I am looking for and also to maintain it that way as long as possible.
I have recently seen Tiffany Forni on the net and think that she is a great example of what a woman can do when she wants to.
So - is iy testosterone that causes a wmoans belly fat too?????

Yes and no. Estrogen is more prevelant hormone in women and for some it can really add the lbs if diet is bad. Also, thyroid is a problem in some people. It slows down methabolism to a pulp in some cases. If you almost starving to lose weight and gain very fast if you eat a bit more than you should then I would have it checked out. Testosterone does affect women too but not as much as in men.

[Powerstroke]

Question, If you have a sex drive at 45 that is off the wall high, can you still have low testosterone??

[mitchcumstein]

Most likely not

[Amren Mac P]

Cool! Wish the Mrs. shared my "problem".