Expert: Linda Erwin, M.S. - 6/4/2005

Question
Hello,

I am 25 years old, male, 5 feet and 9 inches tall and weigh 140 lbs. My build is about as lean as I could hope for yet I can't seem to get rid of a bit of belly fat left over from when I was overweight. I have been speed walking everyday as well as lifting free weights. I eat as heathily as my college student-budget can afford and consume alcohol very, very rarely and even then in moderation--still the flab remains. What exercises and/or other measures do you recommend I take up to solve this problem?

Thanks,

Stephen  

Answer
Hi Stephen,
I really don't have enough information but if you were overweight, how much were you overweight and for how long?  How long did it take to lose it?  How much time has passed since then and what are you doing besides speed walking and lifting weights?  Are you doing abdominal exercises 4-5 times per week?  Does belly fat run in your family?  Look at the males in your family and see if they experience that problem.  Also, are you hypervigilant of any bit of extra flesh?  We all have some flab and it's been my experience that people who were overweight and then lost weight have giant expectations.  Maybe your skin hasn't had a chance to adhere to your muscle.  Are you drinking  enough water?  There are lots of questions to ask yourself.  If you are a perfectionist you will always find something not perfect.  

Keep doing what you are doing to be healthy and strong.  You sound like you are in great shape.  Relax and have some fun and be proud of what you have accomplished.
Linda