New Year, New Thread, New EVERYTHING

[Honeybaby]

Shawntae - I seriously lather myself up with lotion..all different types..I don't stick to just one lotion like 3-4 times a day. And the main place I put it is my stomach and hips. That's the only place I have stretch marks from my pregnancy. But, I lather up everywhere as many times as I can. I use several different lotions/cremes throughout the day. In the morning I'll usually use cocoa butter, and when I get home from work (after I work out) I'll use lotion with intense moisture thereapy (vaseline intensive care), and then after my shower at night I'll use skin firming lotion all over (except face)..I have specific face lotion for my face. However, I take two showers a day so my skin gets really dry especially in this cold dry weather. I take a shower in the morning after my workout at the gym so I don't stink before work. And I cannot stand going to bed being dirty so I'll take another shower after my workout video in the evening.

Tex - I'll keep my chin up and I'll remember the competition. I just know that weighing everyday gets me down if I don't see a lot of progress therefore I don't want to be too dissappointed. I would rather be dissappointed twice a week rather than everyday. LOL! I really want to lose this 17lbs though. I just wish it would melt off. I wish I could take a torch to it and melt it off easily! GRR. lol

[southernbelle88]

Good Morning!

Still weighing in at the same weight even after I worked out last night. I feel smaller this morning though and my pants fit smaller. Weird. I think either my metabolism or my scale.. is broken?! lol

[shawntaedaylin]

Honey- Thanks I'm gonna go to the store and get the others that you mentioned I have just been using the cocoa butter. Is there a certian brand that I should get of the firming lotion?
Your gonna meet that 17lbs I'm sure! Just keep working hard and you'll get there

[Honeybaby]

Shawntae - I use Olay Quench plus Firming Lotion, but this past week I had to get the storebrand since I am low on funds. Olay is like $15 for the big bottle. Not sure how well Storebrand will do compared to Olay, but I've had good results with Olay. I don't know how much it actually "firms", but it seems that this "system" I have down seems to work on stretch marks. But, maybe that's why the stretch marks are so tiny now, because it's firming the skin up there. Not sure why, but either way I'm glad it's working really well!!!

[Tequila!]

Ethansmommy - WHAT? 3 meals and one snack?? I don't know about that (but me loves Jillian). My personal trainer explained how my metabolism works and he suggested small meals of protein and veggies with many small snacks in between and water all day in order to keep my metabolism up near it's peak. He also suggested that other than morning cereal, keep the carbs to a maximum of 1 serving a day unless I'm training for a marathon.

For anyone who is interested, here's some Metabolism info I was fed by my trainer that has helped me drop a hundred pounds. I followed this regimen and it changed my life, literally (see last paragraph).

-Breakfast: This is your "once a day" chance to get your metabolism to it's highest peak, drink a glass of water first thing in the AM when you wake up and follow it with breakfast. 1/2 cup of bran or Total cereal (He suggested Raisin Bran but I hate raisins) with no more than a half cup of skim milk. If I didn't want cereal - yogurt with fruit.

-Snack: Your metabolism WILL slow down within 2-3 hours after breakfast so it's important to drink water and have a light carbless snack. If not, your metabolism will struggle to get back up (near it's peak) especially if you don't keep yourself hydrated with water. Basically, you'd be chasing the dragon for the rest of the day. This is why it's important to drink plenty of water and eat healthy snacks between meals (i.e. sliced apples, celery, granola, nuts).

-Lunch: small protein (fish, chicken breast, or tofu) with a veggie side, drink water
-Snack: within 3 hours of lunch-veggies or 1/2 serving of carbs (fruit=carb)DRINK WATER
-Dinner: protein (can include pork loin), veggies, water of course
-Dessert: he rolled his eyes when I asked but said I can save my 1/2 carb for this or snack again with veggies.


I didn't deprive myself of "goodies" and totally confessed to him when I had a small scoop of icecream or that peice of cake. It was on those days that he'd turn my cardio up a notch.

I gained weight a couple years later - I moved out of the state, couldn't find a Bally's near by and somewhat went back to old eating habbits but cut out exercizing completely. One thing I've constantly done is drink water first thing and all day.

BEFORE: I very rarely ate any veggies before seeing him. I had high blood pressure and high cholesterol. My doctor insisted that I take meds. I asked if it would be permanent or temporary until I lost weight. He said it would be permanant. I was blown away, 24 years old and on meds for the rest of my life??? We made a bet, he gave me 3 months to shape up before doing another blood test and ran bloodwork while I was with my trainer. My results showed improvements and I didn't need any meds. AFTER: Even though I've gained weight since, my bloodwork is still "all normal". My current doctor and I were surprised because I gained back over half of the weight I lost (total weight loss was -132lbs). She explained that though I was gaining weight, the water filtered my organs and kept me healthy. Also, I learned to eat more veggies.

*I'm tired now, I hope I didn't take up too much space!!!

[Tequila!]

Dang, I almost forgot to mention - I'm down 2.5lbs since joining this thread last week!!! Thank you everyone who's posted on here! Your stories and comments have helped me to stay motivated. I've been stuck at 222.5 since the holidays.

[Honeybaby]

Tequila - That loss is truly amazing...i mean amazing. I don't even know what to say. My jaw dropped to my desk. Amazing. You look amazing too! Go you! Thanks for all of the helpful tips. That's awesome and helps me a lot. I appreciate it!!!

[ryleighsmommy15]

Im so mad... I did really well yesterday and busted butt working out. I burned 1450 calories just working out alone and yet i only lost .5 lbs. Makes me mad. ugh i guess we will see what tomorrow brings. now time to jump on the elliptical.

TEX way to go. im so proud of you.

[Krys]

Good afternoon ladies! Its been a crazy morning here

I was down .4 this morning. Not the pound I was hoping for, but better than nothing! I did the Shred last night even though I was still super sore from the first day...uhhh....big mistake. I could barely get out of the bathtub this morning LOL!! I just seem so stalled with my loss.

I am going to keep going with the Shred and cut out some of the carbs too. I think it might be the carbs that are holding me back.

TEX: WOW! You are literally melting! Is is too much to ask you exactly what you are eating every day??? LOL Your loss is amazing! And with cake too! I am so happy for you and jealous at the same time

HONEY: I know what you mean about weighing every day! It can be pretty stressful. I told myself a few days ago I would only weigh once a week. That vow lasted about one day LOL. I just can't stop myself. When I woke up in bed this morning, all I wanted to do was go back to sleep. Then I remembered it was time to weight and jumped out of bed...crazy I know!

Krys

[ethansmommy23]

tequila- that's exactly how i eat! i LOVE raisin bran!! as a rule i make lunch my biggest meal of the day. bc it's not too long after i work out that i have lunch so i try to eat significant protein, like today i had a huge salad (lettuce, tomatoes, mushrooms, cauliflower, brocoli, light dressing) and a hard boiled egg, less than 200 cal and i'm STUFFED!! but about 3 i'll have a small snack then dinner at 6-ish.. the way i've eaten today though will cut my dinner portion WAY down.. i know that my small snacks during the day help me keep my calories around 900-1000 a day and i'm not even on phen.

[southernbelle88]

wow so apparently I'm not eating nearly enough!!
All I've had today was lunch and that was a cafe steamers bowl that's 250 cals
It had pasta in it which is carbs but it gave me a lot of energy!
Lately I've been feeling *BLAH* since I've cut out most of my carbs
Maybe I should add more protein? It's really hard to eat a lot when you're trying to eat healthy. I haven't even really been hungry but I'm eating under 1000 cals a day. I've just been trying to eat a lot of protein like fish and chicken.

4 days and my scale hasn't moved!! This is quite discouraging

[Honeybaby]

Tex - I think it's awesome your weight is melting off. I really want to know how you are doing it too. I mean I am working my arse off and not getting awesome results. I want to get results like you! Please tell Krys and me how you are doing it, what your daily routine is and how you're eating. Thanks.

Krys - .4 is awesome keep up the good work girl!!!

Ryleigh - .5 is awesome too!!! Keep it up and don't be discouraged!

Southernbelle - I don't know how you only eat 1000 cals a day. I could never eat that little. I bet eating that low of calories is hindering you from actually losing weight.

So I have been really hungry today compared to normal. I mean I am eating my 300 calorie meals and all, but today I have really been hungry. I've drank a ton of water to try to fend it off, but it's just not working!!! I know it's not that TOM because I won't start until around the 22nd. Ugh... Why am I so hungry today!?

[southernbelle88]

Honeybaby- I was just reading about that and I guess you're right ... I need to eat MORE. I have been so confused wondering why I haven't lost anything when I barely eat anything. I didn't take phen yesterday and I still had no appetite. I guess my body just got used to not eating much and now it doesn't want to. I'm going to try to eat some more veggies but that won't add much more calories. What are some other good things to eat to get in the calories you need but not the fat or carbs?

[ryleighsmommy15]

Southernbelle- try having either a tomato with some light fat free (25 cal) ceaser dressing the whole thing with dressing is only 50 calories.

Cucumbers- a whole cucumber only has 45 calories with the peel on it.
Cottage cheese- good protein and half cup is only 80 cal. I mix in a teaspoon of low sugar strawberry jelly and It is sooo good.

Chicken- grilled chicken, i cut into chunks and keep in fridge that way if im craving something to eat a few chunks hold me over. and 4oz is only 100 calories or so.

hope this helps. Everyone keep up the great job.

[DimeDiva]

Hey Phrends!

I just wanted to check in and ask a quick question. First, I just want to report that I've lost the extra 5 lbs I packed on during the holidays plus an extra 2 lbs AND I'm on my TOM. So, I feel really good about that. Well.... MY scale at home said I lost, I hope the doctor's scale says the same when I go on Saturday All of this talk about the Shred has motivated me to get my butt up and do it tonight! I'll let ya'll know how that goes.

Here's my question: Do you all workout then eat, or eat then workout? Which is best?

Okay, BYE!!! Have to workout before Grey's Anatomy!!!!!! Ttyl!

[ryleighsmommy15]

I workout then eat and then wait a half hour and try to get in more exercise lol

[Krys]

Dime Diva: I was just reading about this today. The very best time to work out is in the morning on an empty stomach (hard to do though). After that, the more empty your stomach is the better. Suposedly, if your stomach has emptied any glucose you might have from your last meal, exercise will start burning the fat a lot quicker. I thought I might start giving it a try. I always do mine at night, but it makes sense to do it in the morning!

Krys

[fabulous5]

Good evening everyone. I have not been on in a few days and it looks like you guys are all doing so well. That's Awesome!

Me on the other hand has not worked out in a few day's. I have been so worried about a lump I found the other day trying on bra's at VS. Ugh it was the worst feeling ever. I was fixing the bra I was trying on and swiped across a large lump. I immediately called my husband over for him to feel to make sure that was what I was feeling, and it was. I cried and felt faint lol. I dint like ANY medical procedures.

Anyhow I called the doc and went to see him today. Needless to say I have a mammogram/ultrasound next Friday and a apt. with a breast doc. I'm not saying I'm worried it is cancer or anything, there is actually a lot of things I think it could be. I went to the doc with a list of my own theories of what it was and he really paid no attention to them lol.

Sorry I'm rambling on just venting. Tomorrow morning I'm going to be back on track. Hitting the gym first thing in the morning.

Dimediva~ I always try to workout in the morning on an empty stomach. From what I understand you burn stored calories, and if you eat you burn what you ate.....whitch is good as well. Congrats on your 7lbs!

[texasbeauty1982]

HONEY & KRYS- I dont know how I am losing so much! I have tried losing weight MULTIPLE times and never had this success! But, the phen is REALLY strong for me so it takes away my appetite COMPLETELY so I have to FORCE myself to eat and even when I do, I feel sick becuz I am so full feeling...I probably dont get more than 800 calories a day in and Im not TRYING to starve myself at all...I just cant stand feeling so full! But, RYRY told me today that I need to start eating more so that when I do get off phen, I wont gain weight again becuz I have my appetite back Today I had some yummy strawberries and a chicken salad for lunch...I accidentally forgot to grab breakfast this morning so I had to skip that, but then for dinner I had 2 pitas with grilled chicken strips, chz and fat free sour cream...not much, but it was enough to make me feel gross! lol then I exercise pretty much on a daily basis..only one day in the past 2 wks have I not exercised at all...and I do the wii fit plus and the shred...Tonight I ran for 20min on the wii and did some other exercises and starting tomorrow I am upping my shred routine to involve lvl2 AND lvl1..I also have not had a single soda since I started Dec. 30th and just been drinking water unless I have a craving for a flavored beverage then I get my Diet Cranberry Juice that only has 5 calories and 2g of sugar...I just wanna do this right this time so I stay on my own toes religiously lol I had to talk myself out of going to Jack-in-the-crack again today!! lol I think about u guys 24/7 and how I dont want to let u down either..idk...I cant pin point what it is I am doing to lose weight so well...I hope it continues too! If I can lose this 17lbs we got going on, then that would put me at 217lbs and a loss of 33lbs for the month! I want that sooo bad so Im gonna do whatEVER it takes to get there

Anyways, its bedtime...Im tired....I have class in the morning too ttyl!!

[southernbelle88]

Hi everyone!! Hope everyone is having a good night so far. I have decided that I am not taking in enough calories and my body is storing what I give it and that's why I haven't lost anything in 4 days! soo.. today after my 280 calorie lunch and before my classes, I came home and had some fat free yogurt (100 cals) and then after class I came home and had dinner.. a big can of light chicken and veggie soup (no noodles). That was 80 cals per serving (15 grams of carbs too.. geez!) so that's 160 + 100 + 280 = .. 540 calories???? damn I really **** at this guys ... I feel like I ate a lot but when I put it together I have had nowhere near enough calories and it's too late to eat more b/c I'm going to bed soon. Ughhhh =( Maybe I'll do better tomorrow.

[Tabby23tech]

Question?? Has anyone experienced Nausea, vomiting and diaherra as a side effect? I took my first pill two days ago in the morning. Felt fine all day long then at 2 am, i got up and was violently sick. Could this be a reaction to the phen? I went to the dr and he said it sounded like acute gastritis. I called my diet dr and I talked to one of her nurses and she said it didn't sound like any side effect she's heard of. But the dr. has not called me back. Advice please??? I'm kind of figuring it was a stomach bug of some type but not total sure. I haven't taken anymore phen bc I couldn't keep anything down yesterday and today was still nauseated. What should I do? Thanks for listening..

[ethansmommy23]

idk where u live but i keep hearing about stomach bugs going around... i've never heard of this as a phen side effect either so i doubt it's that.. hope u feel better soon!

[Poisonivy005]

hey there girlies!!

On here real quick and need to get to bed!

Tex...I wish I were in onederland! Not gonna happen for awhile! Must have mistyped it before!!! Lol leave it to me! Wishful thinking!!

I was still Down 8 pounds this morning. Did great all day till dinner! We went to Smoky Bones which is a BBQ place! Nothing good for u! I did ok, tho! I didn't eat things that were good for me, but I didn't eat a lot of the bad stuff! So I'm gettig the in moderation thing!!

Anyway...I'll pop in tomor morning! Gotta get to bed!

Night all!!!

[Poisonivy005]

HELLO LADIES!!!

Well...I was down another pound this morning! Not sure how that happened, but not gonna complain, either!! Down to 286!! WOOT WOOT!!! Keep on baby! LOL...we'll see how today goes. They want to go out for lunch today again. I'm sure I can find something no matter where we go. The food last night just wasn't very good at Smokey Bones. I think that helped me not want to eat much. But hey...it worked out fine!

Tab...I haven't heard of that as a side effect, either! Sorry!! Hope you feel better!!!!

Tex....you're doing awesome! Just keep doing what you're doing and that obviously is working great for you!! We're always here for support and visa versa I know!!!

fabulous5...vent away hun! We're here for ya!! My best friend is going through the same thing! She said her's isn't hard, tho. It's kinda soft and moves around. That's usually a good thing! If it feels like a frozen pea or lima bean depending on the size, then it could be something. Most times, it's just nothing! Let us know how things are going!!!!

Krys...that's an interesting fact! Almost EVERY diet I've ever done always tells you to eat a carb or something to get your metabolism up!! That's an interesting theory! Let us know how it goes for you, please!!!

Well...gonna finish getting ready for work. You all have a lovely day and I'll try and pop in tonight before I go to bed.

SEE YA'S!!!

[Honeybaby]

Good Morning!!!! I hope everyone is doing well.

I did horribly yesterday. Even though I was extremely hungry and I don't know why I didn't give in to the cravings (too much). But, I only did my morning workout. When I got home my daughter was sick with a fever and very lethargic. She is normally playing all the time and getting into EVERYTHING, but I knew something was wrong when she came right up to me and sat in my lap for an hour...an hour! Do realize how hard that is for a toddler..especially this toddler!@? Anyhow, I am thinking she had an upset tummy, because while she was sitting in my lap I had my hands around her belly to hold her close and I moved them away for a minute and she grabbed them and brought them back to her belly for me to hold her tight again. About an hour before her bedtime her fever broke and she was back to her old playful self again...of course it would happen right before bed.

Needless to say I didn't get anymore exercise in because she needed me to comfort her and be there for her.

I'm glad to hear everyone else is doing so great!!!

Just a note after I get off of work today I'll be out of town until Sunday so you guys won't see me post anymore until Sunday.

[JustaRandomGirl]

Fab5, I hope everything comes out alright with your tests! Please keep us updated.

Tequila: Glad to see you around the forums again! I don't post as much as I used to, but I still lurk around everyday.

Today's "official" weigh in shows me down a lb from last week I am pleased with that, TOM rolled in yesterday so I was a little surprised. I don't feel all that great today. I woke up at 3am with a sore throat and feeling achy. I was wide awake until it time to get up. That always ****s. Anyway, I probably won't get my run in today, I have to take my kids to the doctor. Tomorrow I am going to try my best to run 5 miles, at least 4.5.. I hope I do it.

I noticed this morning that a pair of jeans that has been insanely tight fit a little better and I am actually wearing a shirt that is too big. When I started this deal, you could totally see my big roll through this shirt. Yay!

I hope everyone has a great day and a guilt free weekend! I am actually going to hang out with some old college chums and my BFF this weekend, but I vow to make good choices.

[christykoeb21]

I still haven't worked out! BOO! What the crap is wrong with me? Why can't I just do exercise? Maybe it's just because the kids wear me down physically and mentally and I just want peace and quiet and to not do anything?? I dunno, but it's gotta stop!

I was down to 142.4 this morning. I had been up into the 143s earlier this week so it's good I made it back to what I was on Monday minus 2 oz.

I have so much crap to do today blah. I have to finish the dishes, finish folding and putting away the crap load of laundry I've done over the past few days, give the dogs a bath, clean the bathroom, clean my room, make my sons birthday cake (his bday was the 6th and my cousins sons was the 11th but this is the joint party) for his birthday party tomorrow, go to my cousin's house and help her blow up balloons and make the candy bags (we are having a joint birthday party for her son and mine they are a year and 5 days apart). Whew! Did I also mention that this party is at Chuck E Cheeses tomorrow night?! EEk! We also have a huge family with lots of kids so we will be busy busy.

My husband also comes home tonight so that will be nice. Then Sunday I have to pack and get stuff ready to leave. I'm going back to Texas with my husband for a week or two. That's going to **** a little because there is no oven in this hotel room just a stove top (The Value Place). I'm taking my Wii and computer so I'll be able to check in and everything. I'm hoping to be more active on the Wii and everything while down there. I wish the Value Place had a workout room. The hotel his co workers are a
t has one, but I didn't want to stay there because it doesn't have the kitchen like the Value Place does.

Ok well I better go eat breakfast and get my butt moving so I'm not running around crazy tomorrow haha!

[Krys]

Hello Ladies!
Hope you are all having a great morning! So, today was “official” weigh in (even though I weigh about a thousand times a week). And the verdict is….

-1 pound since yesterday HOORAY
-3.5 for the week
- 11 total so far

I am pretty happy with that. I really want to lose at least 20 my first month on Phen, and I think that goal is within reach!
I did the Shred this morning first thing. I had some water first, and took my Phen…but nothing else. I was dragging a** at first LOL. But then it was ok. I think it might have helped doing it this way because I was -1pnd this morning

TEX: Girl, I don’t know how you are doing it! You are doing so great. Like you, I think about you guys all the time and hope you are all doing well. I am still trying for that 17 pounds. I have been forcing myself to eat too. The phen works great for me, and all day. I think I could probably eat 500-600 calories a day and be fine. I don’t though… like you I have hovered more around 800-1000. I have been researching the whole “starvation mode” thing… and the research is pretty unclear. I am not sure I buy it (totally). I am 238 pounds…that means I am over 100 pounds overweight. I don’t think cutting my calories under 1200 is going to hurt me. This article from weight watchers does a pretty good job at showing both sides of the argument…
<http://www.weightwatchers.com/util/art/index_art.aspx?tabnum=1&art_id=35501>.

Now, I know I won’t be able to eat 800 calories a day with out phen. But I am going to take advantage of every month on this pill because I don’t know how long my DR will let me stay on it. I have made a lot of lifestyle changes to adapt when I go off phen. I keep a food diary with EVERYTHING I eat in it, down to a stick of gum LOL. That is a permanent change! Also, working out has just become part of life for me. I am telling you, I have changed : ) Its unlike anything I have done or felt before.

Krys

PS: I hope no one takes this the wrong way! I am not recommending that ANYONE starve themselves...just listen to what your body is telling you.

[SandieB]

I just could not get results being on phen for the 2nd time... I have gotten HUGE results with just a few changes.

I now wait a whole hour to eat after taking phen in the AM. I am hungry at first... but it make a big difference during the day. I also take another half pill at 1:00 in the afternoon.

I have lost 4lbs in 2 days!

Yay!!!

[Tequila!]

Ethansmom: Similar regimen....And look at you now! I could look like you if I didn't mess myself up. You're my hero, go on with your bad self sista from anotha mista! LOL How did you get your tummy so flat?? I have the hanging pouch and I feel like I'll always have it unless I get a tummy tuck. (and I'm not one for cosmetic surgery)

Honey: Thank you - growing up, I was never able to lose a pound. I still can't beleive that's me in the pictures. Sorry to hear about your rough night, thank goodness it was just a little spell for your daughter.

Justa: WHAT'S UP WOMAN?! You totally blew me away and are doing awesome! Hope you have a fabulous weekend, it sounds like fun. I miss my buddies back home.

Fab: Prayers go out to you. - I found a lump while putting on lotion. So I went in for my first mamogram and was actually excited about it (weird because I usually get major anxiety). The nurse was surprised to see someone excited to have this test done. Before she could finish telling me what I needed to change into, I already had my top off. She turned and laughed (not at my boobs I hope, lol) and we just talked through the whole thing. I DIDN'T KNOW I HAD TO HOLD MY BREATH durring the photograph!! She was a little distracted with conversation then abruptly told me to hold my breath just as I was about to inhale and I almost past out! Needless to say, we laughed durring most of the appointment and I had to do the test again but I was seasoned for the second time around.

Dime - I usually eat a bite of protien about 30 minutes before my work out (handfull of almonds, a slice of turkey breast, etc.). I go to the gym in the evenings tho, so not sure if that makes a difference. I get cramps if I work out on an empty stomach.

Tex - Me want some of what you're doing! Oh and hey, since I've been on this thread, I've lost a total of 8 lbs in 10 days!!! Yeah me and you and everyone else who's lost lbs this year!

[texasbeauty1982]

Finally out of class So, like I said last night, I UPPED my calories a bit yesterday and did my exercise like usual and when I weighed in this morning, the scale went UP .2lbs...SCREW eating more calories right now!! My body is content with what its getting and so am I so I will keep my regualr routine for now on lol

Everyone is doing amazing I need to get my butt in gear and work for a while so ttys!

[Tequila!]

I just could not get results being on phen for the 2nd time... I have gotten HUGE results with just a few changes.

I now wait a whole hour to eat after taking phen in the AM. I am hungry at first... but it make a big difference during the day. I also take another half pill at 1:00 in the afternoon.

I have lost 4lbs in 2 days!

Yay!!!

Yay! It took a while to figure out a method that worked best for me and my schedule too.

[Honeybaby]

I didn't weigh this morning, but I plan on weighing Sunday when I get back from my aunt and uncles. I hope being at their house doesn't totally ruin my diet! My aunt makes EVERYTHING from scratch including her own bread and butter!!! SOOO, that's going to be a big temptation for me.

Keep up the awesome work all of you!!!

[ryleighsmommy15]

So i weighed in this morning and was down .2 lbs. today is my daughters bday so tonight we are going out for pizza and cake. I hope this doesnt totally kill me for the week but you know what, im not gonna think about it and im going to enjoy the night with my daughter and family. I will be back on track tomorrow so we shall see how much the pizza hates me

[ethansmommy23]

yeah i looked into cosmetic surgery but i had a HARD time letting go of 7 grand for "cosmetic" reasons. i am a pretty clean eater and i do a lot of cardio, pilates, and crunches... my stomach was really BAD and it just got better practically over night.... i had to get my body fat percentage WAY down.. there's literally only 2 months and a 20 lb difference between my before stomach pic and my after stomach pic.