# Best way to lose belly? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 31, 2007, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-lose-belly/413863 "2007-07-31T19:59:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Lightray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightray/32/391_2.png) [@Lightray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightray)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2007, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-lose-belly/413863/21 "2007-08-01T16:36:54Z")
If you hate running, try swimming or some other form of cardio. And if lifting weights, don’t just focus on the abs! You can overdevelop your abs, and make your belly seem _bigger_. Some muscle tone in the abdomen will help holding in the bulgies. A lot of muscle in the abdomen will bulge on its own. With fat on top, maybe. Go low weight, lots of reps. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2007, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-lose-belly/413863/22 "2007-08-01T19:35:30Z")
[QUOTE=Lightray] If you hate running, try swimming or some other form of cardio. . [/QUOTE] One problem with most forms of cardio is that they can get boring. To overcome that, you could try joining a gym that has individual TVs on the machines; I have found those to be a godsend and the time just flies by. I like to read but find it hard to do so when I’m using any kind of cardio equipment other than a recumbent stationary bike. ---
**Author:** ![lowbrass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/dc4da7/32.png) [@lowbrass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lowbrass)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2007, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-lose-belly/413863/23 "2007-08-01T20:06:15Z")
I’ll go with the mob - the only way to get rid of fat is to burn more calories than you consume. Diet and exercise. That’s the only answer, and anyone who tries to tell you different doesn’t know what they’re talking about. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-lose-belly/413863/24 "2007-08-02T13:46:48Z")
Sounds like unrealistic body image to me. Seriously, anyone who is 5’2" and 105lbs is tiny, and doesn’t need to lose any more weight; you are at the bottom of the normal range of the [Body Mass Index](http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/). Face it, a flat stomach is not normal. Embrace your pooch, learn to love your pooch; pooch is good. ---
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-lose-belly/413863/25 "2007-08-02T14:05:29Z")
[QUOTE=Fear Itself] Sounds like unrealistic body image to me. Seriously, anyone who is 5’2" and 105lbs is tiny, and doesn’t need to lose any more weight; you are at the bottom of the normal range of the [Body Mass Index](http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/). Face it, a flat stomach is not normal. Embrace your pooch, learn to love your pooch; pooch is good. [/QUOTE] Thanks, FI! You’re absolutely right. I think I need a little attitude adjustment. Power to the Pooch! ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-lose-belly/413863/26 "2007-08-02T14:27:03Z")
[QUOTE=Lightray] If you hate running, try swimming or some other form of cardio. And if lifting weights, don’t just focus on the abs! You can overdevelop your abs, and make your belly seem _bigger_. Some muscle tone in the abdomen will help holding in the bulgies. A lot of muscle in the abdomen will bulge on its own. With fat on top, maybe. Go low weight, lots of reps. [/QUOTE] Racketball 3 times a week and doggie walks every day. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-lose-belly/413863/27 "2007-08-02T15:55:57Z")
[QUOTE=Hazle Weatherfield] … I’m 5’2", 105 lbs. … [/QUOTE] So, how ya’ doin’? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2007, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-lose-belly/413863/28 "2007-08-02T18:01:12Z")
Whenever my belly gets too flat or ab-y (horrible, I know) I give exercise a rest. I love a little pooch on women, and it’s not like cropped tops are (or should ever be) in style. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-way-to-lose-belly/413863.md?page=1)