Losing the tummy flab: suggestions welcome!

I'm feeling a bit frustrated and need some suggestions about how to lose my post-pregnancy tummy flab. I started going to the gym hard-core about a month and a half ago and have actually gained about 5 pounds since I started exercising regularly. Not only that, but I'm finding that it's much harder to get back in shape now that I'm older.

I need to lose about 20 lbs. and most of that is in my tummy as a result of 2 pregnancies. Yuck. How can I target that specific area? I am completely motivated to do this but don't know how to zap the area about an inch above and below my belly button.

I do tons of sit-ups but they don't get this exact area that I need to work. I do small pulse leg lifts while lying on my back, but need some other options. I have access to balance balls, medicine balls, and weights at my gym and am happy to try and stick to any routine.

Any and all suggestions welcome, although I know it's hard to explain some exercises using words. Any good websites with pictures to check out?

Thanks.

There is no way to target specific areas for fat loss.  Burning more calories than you eat and doing cardio are your best bet.  Any abdominal exercises will strengthen the muscle but you need to burn the layer of fat off to see the results.

That old saying "abs are made in the kitchen" is very very true.  Watch what you eat, cut out bad carbs and count calories!

Thanks, Jenn. I see what you're saying. I do 35 minutes of cardio every workout - about 5 times a week. Maybe I should increase that.

In my 20s, I lost over 20 lbs. pretty easily by doing a similar routine in a few months. I'm really seeing now how 12 years and 2 pregnancies has affected my body.   

What about Pilates? It really zones in on the core muscles and the results you get are pretty amazing.

I was going to suggest pilates as well.

Funny you mention the difference between your 20s and now. I was thinking the same thing last night. I'm finding it MUCH harder to lose weight in my 30s than it was in my 20s, and I don't like it!

Pilates sounds like a great idea. I think my gym has a class, so I'll definitely check it out.

Funny you mention the difference between your 20s and now. I was thinking the same thing last night. I'm finding it MUCH harder to lose weight in my 30s than it was in my 20s, and I don't like it!

OMG. It is so depressing! One of the reasons I want to get back in shape now is because I know it will get harder and harder the older I get. 

Funny you mention the difference between your 20s and now. I was thinking the same thing last night. I'm finding it MUCH harder to lose weight in my 30s than it was in my 20s, and I don't like it!

I'm screwed then.  I'm 27 and have such a hard time losing weight (always have).

I was going to suggest pilates as well.

Funny you mention the difference between your 20s and now. I was thinking the same thing last night. I'm finding it MUCH harder to lose weight in my 30s than it was in my 20s, and I don't like it!

Wait till your 40's. 

Stretchy exercises like yoga will improve your posture and stretch out your torso, making it  look longer and leaner, which will make your tummy flab less visible.

A good bra which lifts your boobs up high will also help lengthen the appearance of your torso.

While it's true that you can't target a specific area for fat loss, building abdominal muscle will minimize the appearance of fat in the area, and speed general weight-loss. So while crunches won't do anything for your tummy fat specifically, they'll still make the area look better.

On a side note: I read somewhere that fat loss occurs in waves. If that's true, can anyone give me an estimate when it'll finally arrive down at my butt and thighs? 

So while crunches won't do anything for your tummy fat specifically, they'll still make the area look better.

On a side note: I read somewhere that fat loss occurs in waves. If that's true, can anyone give me an estimate when it'll finally arrive down at my butt and thighs? 

Maybe it'll arrive down at your butt and thighs when doing crunches makes my tummy area look better.

I fear it's a long time coming. 

I would suggest increasing cardio for overall fitness, as often as you can and as regularly as you can. Yoga is also brilliant. I've heard pilates are (?) good, too. Agree with the good bra idea.

I think the issue for me is trying to focus less on weight loss and more on improved health and that seems to make me more satisfied with myself. Though getting healthier sure does seem harder in my 30s, but I think I'm probably my fitest ever now. Persistence is key, IMHO. 

Quick update: I've been going to the gym almost every day and have upped my cardio to about 50 minutes. I'm sweating like a pig, but still haven't lost any weight (am still up by 5 lbs. since I started working out).

I've definitely toned up my bum, but the stomach refuses to budge. I'm starting a pilates class next week so hopefully that will help things along. Thanks again for the suggestions!

I think it's usual to gain weight (or at least not lose) when you start working out because you are building muscle, and muscle is denser than fat.

Forget about the scale and go by the tape measure.

Forget about the scale and go by the tape measure.

This is what I do. But my tape measure is this particular pair of jeans I own!