# Lets talk about tummy fat, and how to get rid of it. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 13, 2004, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tummy-fat-and-how-to-get-rid-of-it/245018 "2004-05-13T22:23:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2004, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tummy-fat-and-how-to-get-rid-of-it/245018/41 "2004-05-15T04:38:12Z")
Am I hearing this right? People at the SDMB are actually recommending a topical cream to get rid of fat? Does anyone want to buy some brain cream? A hundred bucks an ounce. Just ignore the fact that it looks like butter mixed with inert ingrediants, okay? ---
**Author:** ![Epimetheus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c4cdca/32.png) [@Epimetheus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Epimetheus)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2004, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tummy-fat-and-how-to-get-rid-of-it/245018/42 "2004-05-15T04:39:53Z")
I do, I do! I only have 50 dollars, can I have a quarter ounce? ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2004, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tummy-fat-and-how-to-get-rid-of-it/245018/43 "2004-05-15T04:48:21Z")
> [@Epimetheus](#): > > I do, I do! I only have 50 dollars, can I have a quarter ounce? I see it’s already starting to work! ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2004, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tummy-fat-and-how-to-get-rid-of-it/245018/44 "2004-05-15T13:30:20Z")
> [@NurseCarmen](#): > > Am I hearing this right? People at the SDMB are actually recommending a topical cream to get rid of fat? > > Does anyone want to buy some brain cream? A hundred bucks an ounce. Just ignore the fact that it looks like butter mixed with inert ingrediants, okay? Well, I’ll be honest here - speaking of creams, I don’t actually care if the cream gets _rid_ of the fat - I would just like it if it tightened up the area in question (even temporarily) so it _looks_ like there’s less fat. I think that’s what the particular product I’m using does - to be honest, the area does look somewhat better. of course, if you do have an amazing product that _will_ actually get rid of this tummy fat, that would be swell too. I thought I read another thread around here where someone was taking some sort of supplement that was supposed to release belly fat. Oh well - I could be mistaken. ---
**Author:** ![hazel-rah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/73ab20/32.png) [@hazel-rah](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hazel-rah)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2004, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tummy-fat-and-how-to-get-rid-of-it/245018/45 "2004-05-15T17:31:23Z")
> [@](#): > > I thought I read another thread around here where someone was taking some sort of supplement that was supposed to release belly fat. You’re not mistaken… there probably is somebody taking something that is _supposed_ to do that. Rest assured however that it will not do that, because creams and pills cannot do that. ---
**Author:** ![janiejungletemptress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ecae2f/32.png) [@janiejungletemptress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/janiejungletemptress)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2004, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tummy-fat-and-how-to-get-rid-of-it/245018/46 "2004-05-15T18:01:23Z")
> [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > So, I have some tummy fat. > > Lately I’ve heard talk of various diets or diet supplements that can help release abdominal fat - does anyone have any insights or suggestions? Pilates honey, Pilates. After I had my daughter (I balooned from 135# to 210#) I started Pilates. I now again weigh around 135-140#. And no tummy. And it only took me about 6 months. I did couple it with lots of water consuption and a 1200 calorie or less per day diet. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2004, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tummy-fat-and-how-to-get-rid-of-it/245018/47 "2004-05-15T22:53:48Z")
> [@janiejungletemptress](#): > > Pilates honey, Pilates. > > After I had my daughter (I balooned from 135# to 210#) I started Pilates. I now again weigh around 135-140#. And no tummy. And it only took me about 6 months. I did couple it with lots of water consuption and a 1200 calorie or less per day diet. I’m guessing that you missed my post above where I mentioned that I do pilates for an hour 4 or 5 days a week. 🙂 (I’ve already caught that particular bug - it does wonders for my back, which is my motivation.) ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tummy-fat-and-how-to-get-rid-of-it/245018/48 "2004-05-16T02:31:52Z")
It sounds like you need to alter your exercise routine to include something that burns more calories than Pilates, since you’ve already developed the musculature. ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tummy-fat-and-how-to-get-rid-of-it/245018/49 "2004-05-16T05:24:53Z")
> [@Barbarian](#): > > It sounds like you need to alter your exercise routine to include something that burns more calories than Pilates, since you’ve already developed the musculature. I’m guessing you missed my post above where I mentioned that I also do 40+ minutes of cardio, 6 days a week. I’m not adverse to trying new exercise things - however, I am somewhat limited in what I can safely do with my back. If people could suggest some (very) low impact ideas that would be great! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![merge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9f8e36/32.png) [@merge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/merge)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tummy-fat-and-how-to-get-rid-of-it/245018/50 "2004-05-16T06:37:38Z")
> [@NurseCarmen](#): > > Am I hearing this right? People at the SDMB are actually recommending a topical cream to get rid of fat? > > Does anyone want to buy some brain cream? A hundred bucks an ounce. Just ignore the fact that it looks like butter mixed with inert ingrediants, okay? Yes that is correct. Have you tried them? I am active on a bodybuilding message board, and the reviews that the porducts I mentioned have been really positive. Lipoderm seems to be the more favorable of what I have seen. [Here is a link](http://www.mindandmuscle.net/page.php?pageID=173) if you want to read about the science behind Lipoderm. I am not saying this is the new cream that overweight people can start to use, eat like crap and still lose fat. This is for people who are into fitness, eat a decent diet, and have trouble losing fat in certin areas. ---
**Author:** ![merge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9f8e36/32.png) [@merge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/merge)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tummy-fat-and-how-to-get-rid-of-it/245018/51 "2004-05-16T06:49:04Z")
> [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > I’m guessing you missed my post above where I mentioned that I also do 40+ minutes of cardio, 6 days a week. > > I’m not adverse to trying new exercise things - however, I am somewhat limited in what I can safely do with my back. > > If people could suggest some (very) low impact ideas that would be great! 🙂 Once a thread is this long, and has a debate between 2 people in the middle… It gets boring to actually read the whole thing! I don’t know the extent of your back problems, but eliptical machines can be lower impact… but probably still now low enough for someone with back problems? Also, I am not sure when you do your walking, but 1st thing in the morning before breakfast and only consuming water can also be more benificial for burning fat, than any other time of day… ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tummy-fat-and-how-to-get-rid-of-it/245018/52 "2004-05-16T06:58:26Z")
> [@merge](#): > > [Here is a link](http://www.mindandmuscle.net/page.php?pageID=173) if you want to read about the science behind Lipoderm… merge. that aint science. it’s marketing. If you want to learn about city planning, don’t look towards Mayor McCheese. ---
**Author:** ![merge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9f8e36/32.png) [@merge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/merge)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tummy-fat-and-how-to-get-rid-of-it/245018/53 "2004-05-16T14:13:14Z")
> [@NurseCarmen](#): > > merge. that aint science. it’s marketing. > > If you want to learn about city planning, don’t look towards Mayor McCheese. :rolleyes: In the sports supplement market, this is one of the better explinations as to why each ingredient is in a product that I have seen. I don’t expect them to say anything bad about their product, but they are a very well respected company, and they did not have to publish any of that. I can post many links to reviews of this product that are very favorable… [Here is a review](http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/layne31.htm) from one of the mods of the bodybuilding message board that I read. This is actually where I found that first link to the product info. I can post more… ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tummy-fat-and-how-to-get-rid-of-it/245018/54 "2004-05-16T20:26:01Z")
> [@merge](#): > > I can post more… Oh, please do. But since we’re battling ignorance here, could you maybe provide a cite from a reputable peer reviewed scientific publication? [Science](http://www.sciencemag.org/), [Nature](http://www.nature.com/), [New England Journal of Medicine](http://content.nejm.org/). Heck, I’ll even settle for reputable rags like [Time,](http://www.time.com/time/) [Newsweek](http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3032542/), or any number of major daily newspapers. Until then, I stand thoroughly convinced that I can achieve the same results with crock of Lipoderm as I could with a crock of sh\*t. ---
**Author:** ![Epimetheus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c4cdca/32.png) [@Epimetheus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Epimetheus)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2004, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tummy-fat-and-how-to-get-rid-of-it/245018/55 "2004-05-16T22:43:14Z")
To be truthful, the only way a topical gel that claims to burn fat could be sold in the USA without a prescription is if it is herbal. This may have changed, but I have heard nothing of it. Taking this into consideration, I have never seen or heard of a topical gel that is prescription that can burn fat, so that really casts doubt on such a thing. I would think a drug that can somehow burn fat away in an area would be prescription based, just imagine if you rubbed in the wrong spot, or used too much, etc. ---
**Author:** ![merge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9f8e36/32.png) [@merge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/merge)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2004, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tummy-fat-and-how-to-get-rid-of-it/245018/56 "2004-05-17T03:00:11Z")
> [@NurseCarmen](#): > > Oh, please do. But since we’re battling ignorance here, could you maybe provide a cite from a reputable peer reviewed scientific publication? [Science](http://www.sciencemag.org/), [Nature](http://www.nature.com/), [New England Journal of Medicine](http://content.nejm.org/). Heck, I’ll even settle for reputable rags like [Time,](http://www.time.com/time/) [Newsweek](http://msnbc.msn.com/id/3032542/), or any number of major daily newspapers. > > Until then, I stand thoroughly convinced that I can achieve the same results with crock of Lipoderm as I could with a crock of sh\*t. I am not going to go looking all over the place to find something that helps my side when you will just find something else for yours…what is the point? I don’t know how much research is out there… I don’t really care. All i know is what I have read on the bodybuilding message board that I read with a large group of people who love to tear into products that don’t live up to their claims. Everyone who has tried this product has had a very favorable review. If you don’t want to try it…don’t…maybe that crock of sh\*t will work out for you… If you do want to try it…good luck, it has worked for many people… again like I said before… This is for people who are into fitness, eat a decent diet, and have trouble losing fat in certin areas. ---
**Author:** ![Epimetheus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c4cdca/32.png) [@Epimetheus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Epimetheus)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2004, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tummy-fat-and-how-to-get-rid-of-it/245018/57 "2004-05-17T11:50:12Z")
Heh, what bodybuilding message board do you get on? Love to tear into claims that don’t work out? I made the bodybuilding message board circuit before, and let me tell you- bodybuilders tried everything and believed in the slightest correlation as fact. “Yeah man, I ate like 5000g of protein and look how big I am! Like, eating lots of protein will make muscles big man, muscles are MADE of protein and stuff.” (Let us forget that muscles are mostly water and glycogen- and we all now those fellow bodybuilders that eat like 20 carbs) Yeah, bodybuilders are known for their science. :rolleyes: If you want to believe that your “fat emulsifyers” in topical form somehow penetrate the skin, seek out fat cells and breaks up the fat, emptying them into your blood stream to be used as energy, go right ahead. Myself, I would be worried about the consequences of that claim. Like an extremely high triglyceride level, increased LDLs and a sharp increase in blood pressure. Now if those aren’t enough to raise a few eyebrows and make people wonder why such a potentially dangerous drug is over the counter and not controlled in any way, the simple fact that on the bottle or tube you buy these in there is a little disclaimer that say “Claims not supported by the FDA.” ---
**Author:** ![merge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9f8e36/32.png) [@merge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/merge)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2004, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tummy-fat-and-how-to-get-rid-of-it/245018/58 "2004-05-17T12:56:17Z")
I read the [forums at bodybuilding.com](http://forum.bodybuilding.com/), it is a pretty good board… and actually, the quote is usualy “These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.” which is pretty much everywhere in the supplement industry, even multi-vitamins… This thread is getting rediculous… Someone had a part of their body that they were having trouble losing fat. She seemed to be in generally good shape from what she said, and wanted recommendations as to what could help. I gave her an idea of something she could try that has worked for many other people and now I have to come on here and defend it like I am selling it or something. It really doesn’t matter to me if you believe it or not, or if you don’t use anything not approved by the FDA… but what the hell am I saying this to you for? I just read this thread again… This is a quote from you > [@](#): > > It is impossible to spot reduce unless you have a topical of some sort. So what were you talking about? ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2004, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tummy-fat-and-how-to-get-rid-of-it/245018/59 "2004-05-17T16:01:12Z")
> [@merge](#): > > This thread is getting rediculous… Someone had a part of their body that they were having trouble losing fat. She seemed to be in generally good shape from what she said, and wanted recommendations as to what could help. > I gave her an idea of something she could try that has worked for many other people and now I have to come on here and defend it like I am selling it or something. Well **merge** , as I mentioned before in this thread, I think you’re actually the only person who has any idea what I’m asking, and where I’m coming from, so bravo you. I read up on the lipo stuff and the only thing that’s turning me off is some of the reports say it has a nasty, funky smell. Have you smelled it? Is it gross? Also, to the nay Sayers - you’ll notice that I posted this thread in MPSIMS as opposed to General Questions. I think I even alluded to the fact that anecdotal evidence was not only acceptable, but encouraged. Hell, I spend $65 on a face cream and $55 on it’s eye cream partner without batting an eye. If someone has had success with a topical, even temporary success that only lasts a trip to the beach, I wanna hear about it. Anyhow - again **merge** thank you for your input - it’s exactly what sort of stuff I was interested in hearing about. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Epimetheus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c4cdca/32.png) [@Epimetheus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Epimetheus)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2004, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tummy-fat-and-how-to-get-rid-of-it/245018/60 "2004-05-17T17:38:30Z")
> [@merge](#): > > So what were you talking about? Well, I have never used them or put much thought into them. Like yourself I have frequented many bodybuilding message boards (wannabebig, elitefitness, chemical muscle, and a couple others I cannot remember off hand, but at least 5 of em). I mentioned them because I recalled seeing them online and glancing a a couple threads about them. I have never looked into them or thought about the science behind them until your post. A person can change their mind about something you know, especially if one had never thought about it before. Yes, even mid-thread. It is called learning and admiting you are wrong. Something IMHO and MPSIMS seem to share- they don’t like to learn or argue about things. Everybody on these forums seems to be of the “how dare you contradict me” this isn’t GQ or GD. Gee, sorry, didn’t know the boards motto was “fighting ignorance, except in MPSIMS.” I see that AIWL (hope you don’t mind the shorthand version) doesn’t mind spending out money on this. My only suggestion is even though you don’t mind spending the money on something questionable, if you are on medications of any type, expecially those for high blood pressure or lipids, etc, I would consult a doctor or a pharmacist. Is **that** too GQ or GD for this thread? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tummy-fat-and-how-to-get-rid-of-it/245018.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lets-talk-about-tummy-fat-and-how-to-get-rid-of-it/245018.md?page=4)