Hi, I’m 245 lbs…curvy! I WORK OUT 3 days a week and lost 30 lbs. I mainly eat veggies and chicken, fish, salmon or tuna…but I can’t lose my belly! Can you help me? – Myles

Myles, congrats on your progress and lean eating! I will have to say that your spare tire may not likely shrink until your weight is further reduced. The trunk and extremities aren’t always in proportion to one another, especially during weight loss. Plus, every person’s body loses weight differently.*

You are still on your way to a trimmer you. As you lose weight your production of adiponectin may improve. This helpful little hormone is involved in metabolism, triggering more fat burning which you’ll need since belly fat is really two kinds of fat — visceral fat that surrounds organs in the torso and subcutaneous fat that lies just under the skin.

Keep up the diet and exercise as well as proper sleep and hydration. It’s important that your workouts incorporate strength training, targeting the abdomen twice a week. See our article: Sculpt Your Abs in 2015 with These Advanced Six Pack Defining Exercises! Hopefully your exercise routine has also improved your posture. Standing tall and proud prevents a sagging belly.

Sculpt Your Abs in 2015 with These Advanced Six Pack Defining Exercises!

– Debbie J., MS, RD

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*Note: Even with a healthy Body Mass Index (19-24) many people still have a pooch. Those that have lost a great amount of weight may also experience loose skin in the abdominal region.

Reference:  New Insight into Adiponectin Role in Obesity and Obesity-Related Diseases. Nigro, Ersilia et al. BioMed Research International 2014: 658913. Published online 2014 Jul 7. doi:  10.1155/2014/658913

Debbie James is a registered dietitian. Any views or opinions presented in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions or recommendations of Fitness International, LLC.