Pot bellies, water, and "vacuum exercise"

[wakatak87]

So, Im only 19 but I already have a potbelly. My bodyfat percent is only about 13-14. When I flex my abs, I have a 4 pack but no lower abs at all. When I DONT flex, my stomach looks like an average 40 year olds (pot belly). Basically there is a huge difference between when im flexing my abs vs when Im just breathing...I really need to somehow decrease this difference.

Should I start off with just shutting up and getting my bodyfat to 8% or so and then come back if I still have issues? Or is there stuff I should also try on the side? Does anyone here get pot bellies from drinking so much water? I know malnutrioned people often have pot bellies because they are forced to try and fill up on water, so I guess Im wondering if I should decrease my water intake...dumb as it sounds.

Also, does anyone do those vacuum exercises where you attempt suck your belly button into your spine? They hurt my back like hell! And they seem kinda rediculous...

Any other anti pot belly advice?


Thanks!

[svarturer]

1234

[scriptfactory]

I have the same "problem." Just reduce your BF%. Don't decrease your water intake.

[wakatak87]

what is your diet like ?
you might reduce the bloat if you clean things up diet wise

Well... classes, studying with people in random places, hanging out, and being forced to spend at least 7.56 a day at on-campus restaraunts keeps me from possibly having an orderly food plan, but generally throughout the day I end up eating:

Oatmeal
Apple
Carrots
Banana
Subway style sandwich / a little soup
Yogurt
Tortilla with chile type stuff inside
Applesauce
Peanut butter sandwich
Sometimes a clif bar ends up in there

And then sometimes....when Im with people...I cant help but get a pretty big one dollar ice cream cone from the recently opened non profit volunteer ice cream place thats in my residence hall.

But I still run/walk for a good hour each night (yes I know...night sucks compared to morning), and walking to and between classes easily takes 30-40 minutes total per day.

[Showdown]

I am 26 and was having the same issue... I started working out more heavily(then what I was doing previously,a normal 2 days on,2 days off),and began eating around 6 meals a day,cutting out ALL junk food,being anything processed,cakes,cookies,etc...In 3 weeks,I went from having the 40yo gut,to almost nothing at all...I would just recommend hitting the weights(Not sure if your doing that or not,didnt see it in the post) but basically turrn your food you eat into muscle,rather than fat on your stomach.Slowly but surely it'll come off...

[cfiler]

If you fix your diet, and adjust your workout/cardio ruitines, I'm sure you could drop the fat quickly.

[wakatak87]

If you fix your diet, and adjust your workout/cardio ruitines, I'm sure you could drop the fat quickly.

I could try ridding of the ice cream completely but other than that I dunno what Id do. Im in a dorm, we have a microwave and a tiny fridge. A safeway is nearby, what all should I get from there thats healthy?? keep in mind not much fridge space