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Martian · 12-30-2007, 10:48 PM

I'd say you're not doing anything wrong, aside from maybe not eating quite enough.

Guys tend to accumulate fat more around our midsections than anywhere else. That means that it'll be the first place you notice it when you gain and the last place you'll get rid of it when you lose. Since you say you still have a lot of fat on your body, it's probably just that; as you continue to work off the fat you'll get rid of the gut as well.

Altering your diet will probably help. Exercise is only one half of the equation, after all. Eat more through the day, stay away from empty calories (candy and other junk food) and try to get the appropriate amount of carbs, protein and fat in your diet (the cited ratio is generally 40-30-30, although I prefer to take in more carbohydrates and less fat, which leaves me aiming more around 60-25-15; note that this is ratio of calories and not weight or volume). Also consider a multi-vitamin if you're not already taking one, just to make sure all of the bases are covered. 1500 calories is probably a little low for a typical male who exercises and 900 is definitely very low. 1800-2000 would probably be a healthier range, although individual results do vary.

The fact that you're able to perform 100 repetitions on an ab machine at any weight strongly indicates that the underlying muscle is in good shape. Therefore you're not likely to see much benefit from doing anything further there. Stick to your routine and alter the cardio; that's where you burn more calories and therefore where the most fat burning takes place. Increase your sessions on the elliptical in length or do more of them. 5 days a week may help; many folks like to do cardio daily. If going to the gym every day is too inconvenient you could try taking up jogging or cycling instead. I replaced all of my cardio this past summer by buying a bicycle and using that to get around town. Not only was it an effective (and cheap) way to commute to work, but it also ensured that I got plenty of cardio in a typical day without having to dedicate an hour to it. Walking works for this purpose as well, and if you're in a climate conducive to either activity I highly recommend it.

Personal trainers are useful but not necessary by any stretch of the imagination. Aside from times like now when I'm too ill to exercise regularly I've found that I'm fully capable of designing and implementing my own regimens and therefore have no personal use for one (or a dietician; a side effect of living with Crohn's Disease is that I have become very adept at fulfilling my own dietary needs without outside assistance). I'd say since you're doing well enough on your own, you probably don't need to shell out the cash, but it's really a personal decision.

12-30-2007, 10:48 PM	#6 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	I'd say you're not doing anything wrong, aside from maybe not eating quite enough. Guys tend to accumulate fat more around our midsections than anywhere else. That means that it'll be the first place you notice it when you gain and the last place you'll get rid of it when you lose. Since you say you still have a lot of fat on your body, it's probably just that; as you continue to work off the fat you'll get rid of the gut as well. Altering your diet will probably help. Exercise is only one half of the equation, after all. Eat more through the day, stay away from empty calories (candy and other junk food) and try to get the appropriate amount of carbs, protein and fat in your diet (the cited ratio is generally 40-30-30, although I prefer to take in more carbohydrates and less fat, which leaves me aiming more around 60-25-15; note that this is ratio of calories and not weight or volume). Also consider a multi-vitamin if you're not already taking one, just to make sure all of the bases are covered. 1500 calories is probably a little low for a typical male who exercises and 900 is definitely very low. 1800-2000 would probably be a healthier range, although individual results do vary. The fact that you're able to perform 100 repetitions on an ab machine at any weight strongly indicates that the underlying muscle is in good shape. Therefore you're not likely to see much benefit from doing anything further there. Stick to your routine and alter the cardio; that's where you burn more calories and therefore where the most fat burning takes place. Increase your sessions on the elliptical in length or do more of them. 5 days a week may help; many folks like to do cardio daily. If going to the gym every day is too inconvenient you could try taking up jogging or cycling instead. I replaced all of my cardio this past summer by buying a bicycle and using that to get around town. Not only was it an effective (and cheap) way to commute to work, but it also ensured that I got plenty of cardio in a typical day without having to dedicate an hour to it. Walking works for this purpose as well, and if you're in a climate conducive to either activity I highly recommend it. Personal trainers are useful but not necessary by any stretch of the imagination. Aside from times like now when I'm too ill to exercise regularly I've found that I'm fully capable of designing and implementing my own regimens and therefore have no personal use for one (or a dietician; a side effect of living with Crohn's Disease is that I have become very adept at fulfilling my own dietary needs without outside assistance). I'd say since you're doing well enough on your own, you probably don't need to shell out the cash, but it's really a personal decision. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame