I'm fully aware spot reduction doesn't really work when it comes to fat loss, as cardio does the work and the fat is lost from all over one's body.

However, I have Yoga as a gym course this semester in college and my teacher has intructed us to wear a tight shirt for every class. I have a belly and although I am cutting, it's not ready to be shown to the class!

Any suggestions as to how I can alter my diet/cardio routine over the next few days? I do cardio (elleptical trainer) everyday for at least an hour, a bit of weights using a resistance band every other day and I do my best to simply eat clean (as chocolate and junk foods are my problem when it comes to my diet).

Any help is appreciated, thanks!

Less than one week doesn't sound realistic to lose a spare tire. However, you can still do whatever is in your power to shrink it by Thursday.

If you haven't tried HIIT yet, start now! I used to do lots of steady-state cardio, and it got to a point where my body got used to it......and the results were not very promising. As soon as I started HIIT and dramatically cut my cardio workout time, fat kept melting off my body. And if you're not already eating clean, do so.

Not convinced? I un-did 6 months worth of FAT in the period of 1 month (roughly 12 pounds of fat and multiple belt sizes).

Good luck!!!

EDIT:

Oh yaa...

Yes spot reduction is a myth... However, "kill" your abs on Monday----get them sore from a great ab workout. Then, when they're healing up (get proper nutrition!)......it'll tighten up your mid-section temporarily for Thursday

i'm sure the nutrition gurus on this board would be glad on giving you some meal pointers for this week

Cutting out salt should reduce water retention, which might give the appearance of a smaller stomach.

Yep, reducing the salt is already in the plans, as is drinking more water than usual and limiting starchy foods after 5pm. Carbs after that hour will usually consist of vegetables and one fruit, in addition to protein (of course). The main part of the day will include fresh proteins (including whey isolate), vegetables, one fruit and one starchy serving. I have coffee in the morning and herbal tea at night.

Does this sound like a good plan?

http://forums.johnstonefitness.com/showthread.php?t=19115 Maybe...

http://forums.johnstonefitness.com/showthread.php?t=19115 Maybe...

Eh, I dunno. It is my feeling that you should already be quite lean to benfit from this. Maybe Chris can jump in. Regardless, it seems quite severe to undertake simply to look good for a yoga class, particularly if the yoga class is a regular occurence and not a one-time deal. What about the subsequent yoga classes? Carb depletion, loading, and sodium manipulation is not something you'd want to do for extended periods.

why dontcha just show off the belly, and use it as motivation to begin an effective fitness plan. it's not like you can really hide it even after severe nutrition manipulation.

Eh, I dunno. It is my feeling that you should already be quite lean to benfit from this. Maybe Chris can jump in. Regardless, it seems quite severe to undertake simply to look good for a yoga class, particularly if the yoga class is a regular occurence and not a one-time deal. What about the subsequent yoga classes? Carb depletion, loading, and sodium manipulation is not something you'd want to do for extended periods.
Good points jsbrook.

GreaseVeteran and jsrbook, thanks for the input, I see what you are both saying and completely agree. I am a student however, I'm low on money so Swole will have to wait (although I'd love to try out Femgenix).

I usually stay on track, but the past few days I've fallen off the wagon completely, which happens to me every once in awhile. I'm still doing my workouts and such, just have to stop eating cookies. I've tried to convince my dad not to buy them, but he just ends-up buying more and then gets upset when food goes bad.

Oh well, the food will be left to go bad, unfortunately for those who are starving. (I'm the type who hates to let this kind of thing happen).

Anyway, off the junk for good as of right now and I'll follow my meal plans to the dot. I'm sure this can help. It's times like these writing up a new list (or looking at old ones) of reasons to eat clean are beneficial.

When I took yoga last year in college I was a bit of a pudgy guy...and when you take a class of 30 women and 2 men, the idea is to look good since you're the only thing the women will look at by default ;) We had the same "tight shirt" instruction, but it was moreso because loose flowing clothing can get in the way (especially with the headstand-type poses).

You don't need to wear a "tight" shirt, just wear something you can tuck in. The point of the request was so when you're doing a pose your clothes don't disrupt your concentration or breathing. They don't need to be form-fitting-style-lycra-spandex-esque, it just isn't beneficial for them to be loose.

I say don't worry about going balls-to-the-wall-hardcore w/ the diet/exercise unless you were going to anyways and want to regardless of your class. I mean, whats the worst case scenario..your teacher tells you you need to wear a tighter shirt and you say you're just not comfortable with that?

Do you think that would work?

Hey Lemon, thanks for the advice. I am still in the process of cutting and would like to set some standards for myself (as mentionned above) anyway, but you're right, maybe wearing a bit of a looser shirt and tucking it in when necessary can help. My little belly will still show, but I guess it isn't the end of the world. I just need to keep cutting and reach my goal as time goes on. Thanks again! :cool:

If you're mainly concerned with your appearance for the class, why not get some kind of tummy control undergarment (a girdle?) that is worn under your clothes? I've done that for weddings in the past, and even if you don't look much smaller you look smoother and tighter. I've seen some for under $20. Plus, you can keep wearing it until you lose your belly!

If you're mainly concerned with your appearance for the class, why not get some kind of tummy control undergarment (a girdle?) that is worn under your clothes? I've done that for weddings in the past, and even if you don't look much smaller you look smoother and tighter. I've seen some for under $20. Plus, you can keep wearing it until you lose your belly!

Now that's a good idea! I just hope it doesn't get in the way of doing certain yoga positions. I'll take the chance for a few weeks, our teacher said we'd start off with some easier and more simple positions. :nod:

Now that's a good idea! I just hope it doesn't get in the way of doing certain yoga positions. I'll take the chance for a few weeks, our teacher said we'd start off with some easier and more simple positions. :nod:
The easier poses are actually the hardest to master.
I really loved yoga. I'd love to try other kinds as well. I need to start getting in to it again...I think I might make it a goal to do a sun salutation when I first wake up everyday.