Vegan Bodybuilding & Fitness

Ok, I have a few questions related to exercise. I guess those of you who know about human anatomy/physiology(?) will be able to answer them:

the first one is about fat loss: why do I always loose weight in my face/boobs before my ass?! and why is it so hard to loose the fat in my lower half? is this just a genetic thing? it is really annoying. Is there anything I can do to lose weight more evenly, or are these just the cards I was dealt?

the second one has to do w/ abdominal muscles: I had an emergency c-section w/ my first child... someone told me that they probably cut through muscles in my stomach?? and I KNOW that they pulled my abdominal wall apart to get to my uterus because I saw them do it from a mirror above my head (fun) so I am wondering if there is any way that I will ever have a defined abdominal wall? or is this just not a possibility w/o plastic surgery??

Also, is it possible for skin to shrink? like, will my skin on my stomach that is stretched out from pregnancy get tighter as I lose weight and gain muscle or is that another thing that can only be achieved w/ a tummy tuck?? I have seen so many girls that have had babies w/ no sagging skin on their tummies, I just wonder why that is, while others have really f-cked up bellies?

thanks in advance for any answers!

_________________
---megan---
http://www.myspace.com/ellaandfinnsmom
"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
-Theodor Seuss Geisel

Enough freaking questions, geeze.
YOu loose fat that way because of genetics, that is just where your family line stored, its all good, just keep busting ass and it will go. Ever see some families with fat faces but skinny everything else? It happens.
You can get plenty of defined abs, the cut heals, its not like a mofo took a serrated saw to you muscle, its a clean surgical incision, now the scar on your skin will always shine on, but with enough fat loss your abs will be present.
Yes skin shrinks, as long as the fat behind it does also, though if you were really large and lost tons of weight by the time your body remodels you may be dead. The body is constantly remodeling itself, from muscle to bone to enzymes, if we are not using it the body tears it down and uses the materials for other things, quite efficiant we are.
any other questions about the thing you are ask away.

_________________

We gotta learn to see the beauty in each moment of life
Everyone has different pasts and we're seeking the light
The world is divided between peasants and kings
But the truth is everyone is looking for the same thing

I specialize in women's fitness so perhaps this will assist you:
In the majority of women, the last of the fat loss will occur in the mid-section (abs, hips and thighs). Breasts are one of the first to go.



How long ago was your C-Section? A couple of things here. It can take two years to recover. Abdominal work prior to delivery can help the abs to recovery. During the pregnancy the transversus abdominis or "girdle muscle" is severly weaked and must be addressed first via exercise or your belly will actually appear larger or you could do more damage if you are one of the women who had Diastasis Recti (abdominal seperation) occur. Crunches are a no-no for now.



The answer to this one is maybe. It is dependant upon your skin elasticity. This is generally decided once you achieve weight loss and up to two years after that depending on the amount of weight loss. At that time if the hanging skin has stretch marks on it, it had most likely reached its limit and at that time if bothersome you can decide on further assistance. However that would be skin removal and not a “tummy tuck”.

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I tell people I'm too stupid to know what's impossible. I have ridiculously large dreams, and half the time they come true.

zinzen, u r funny

thanks you guys for answering my questions so thoroughly! It is so nice not to just be wondering ... you know?




My c-section was actually 5 years ago, but I was only 21 and not really into fitness b4 I got pregnant so I had probably less-than-no muscle tone prior to pregnancy/delivery. I gained about 40 lbs w/ my first baby and that is the pregnancy that did all of the damage. With my second pregnancy I worked w/ a personal trainer throughout the pregnancy and exercised almost daily up until the last month so I only gained 18lbs and lost it right away. What a difference!

So now... what kind of exercise is best for ab strength? are crunches where it's at? I know I get a lot of ab work in the pilates class I take at the gym but that is only once a week... what can I be doing on my own?

thank you (x100)!

_________________
---megan---
http://www.myspace.com/ellaandfinnsmom
"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
-Theodor Seuss Geisel

Build up your core strength for now with planks, this works directly on your Transverse ab. I am not in such specialties as womens health, just a pre-med massage therapist, so go with what SS said and stay away from crunches, but planks will build up strength and if they are too difficult you can adjust to make em easier, just look up planks and variations

_________________

We gotta learn to see the beauty in each moment of life
Everyone has different pasts and we're seeking the light
The world is divided between peasants and kings
But the truth is everyone is looking for the same thing

awwwwww, crap. I hate planks! but you gotta do what you gotta do, right?

thanks!! I never really realized that planks are so good for abs.

_________________
---megan---
http://www.myspace.com/ellaandfinnsmom
"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
-Theodor Seuss Geisel

yeah its all genetics. I see some girls that don't look overweight except they have a giant ass, some others its have huge thights. I see some men with fat evenly distributed throughout the body and face while others it goes especially on the belly.
it has nothing to do with nutrient ratio one eats or certain types of food, like some people paid by the milk industry say that milk or even cheese helps to have a trim waist...lol

_________________
"Do your best, don't worry, be happy" - Meher Baba

what a freaking joke!!

_________________
---megan---
http://www.myspace.com/ellaandfinnsmom
"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
-Theodor Seuss Geisel

Planks are a great exercise for the Transverse abdominal. And yes, stay away from crunches for now..... so in a nut shell.....agreed

_________________
I tell people I'm too stupid to know what's impossible. I have ridiculously large dreams, and half the time they come true.

Ok, when I do planks I have a problem w/ my form... I have a really pronounced natural arch in my lower back and I can't figure out how to keep my back straight without sticking my butt up too high. Any suggestions?

_________________
---megan---
http://www.myspace.com/ellaandfinnsmom
"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
-Theodor Seuss Geisel

are you on your toes or knees, there are variations, also you can try to get in a pushup position and hold the top portion, its another plank

_________________

We gotta learn to see the beauty in each moment of life
Everyone has different pasts and we're seeking the light
The world is divided between peasants and kings
But the truth is everyone is looking for the same thing

I usually start on my toes, go down to my knees when I can't hold on my toes any longer. I think I will go in the group fitness room at my gym and practice in front of the mirror to get better form. When I do yoga and pilates the teachers always say to "keep your back paralell to the ground" during plank but for me that is much easier said than done, so I think I just need time to practice on my own. When I googled plank positions I also saw some w/ legs spread wider vs. shoulder width apart... so I guess I will experiment.

_________________
---megan---
http://www.myspace.com/ellaandfinnsmom
"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
-Theodor Seuss Geisel

For sure, thats the only way to figure out what works, eventually you will be able to rock em all

_________________

We gotta learn to see the beauty in each moment of life
Everyone has different pasts and we're seeking the light
The world is divided between peasants and kings
But the truth is everyone is looking for the same thing

I did a 15 minute ab class at the gym yesterday and I am feelin' it for sure today! it feels goooood. Thanks again for ur help!

_________________
---megan---
http://www.myspace.com/ellaandfinnsmom
"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
-Theodor Seuss Geisel

Its all good, I hope that you can get to where you are trying to get

_________________

We gotta learn to see the beauty in each moment of life
Everyone has different pasts and we're seeking the light
The world is divided between peasants and kings
But the truth is everyone is looking for the same thing