Hey weslee, I really don't mean to be a downer but as much as we'd like it to be true, it's not possible to reduce fat in only one specific area. Our bodies remove fat from everywhere at once, but areas like the belly, midsection and hips usually have the most fat and thus take longer to get really lean, it's just how our bodies work.

Think of it this way, if you were in a boat in the middle of a lake, and you scooped out a bucket of water, you wouldn't just remove water from the one spot you scooped, you'd be removing water from the whole lake at once lowering the overall level of water, and the deepest parts would drain last. Our bodies work the same way. It's just one of those things!

The good news is I think most of those products you listed should help you out, exercise is FUN!!! and vegetables are delicious.

Hey, thanks for the natural ways to help you lose weight. Natural is always a better solution, and actually way cheaper, I might add. Has anyone else taken a look at those expensive diet pills lately? Hello broke.

im sorry to hear that you've been in a funk for over a year! :( let me tell you, it may be discouraging that the weight isnt coming off right away, but it will little by little. im sure its not easy after a pregnancy. there are workouts designed to target the stomach/belly. i actually saw a commercial but i forgot what it was. what about a fun workout like belly dancing?? thatll get you away and out for time by yourself too. :) and believe me, i get worried when the holidays approach because i always overindulge in too many sweets. so i really understand. well good luck!! dont get too down on yourself. since its summer try to stay more active with your kids. ;]

Sorry to hear you're in such a funk. That sucks. Been there, done that, burned the t-shirt. Thanks for your research and the information. I'm a firm believer in exercise though. Diet can help, but I don't believe diet alone is the answer. If you rely on diet alone you're ALWAYS going to be on a diet. Exercise can be enjoyable. Even walking 20-30 minutes. It's Summer and it's great to be outside. Take advantage of it. And please break out of your funk. :)

You'll get there, babe! Sounds like you're doing all the right stuff. It might be more motivating if you measure your progress by waist size or percent body fat (if you can) in case any additional weight is due to muscle mass.

After my second child, I lost a good deal of the weight about 6 months after she was born. I worked out, and got down to a smaller weight than before I was pregnant, yet my tummy was (IS!!!) still huge! So, I can sympathize with this battle a great deal. I'd probably be an entire size smaller in my jeans if it weren't for my belly. Its the only part of my body that I am truly uncomfortable with right now. It sucked doing all that hard work to lose weight, only to still have a big ole kangaroo pouch! I'm afraid to lose it entirely that I'd end up looking emaciated everywhere else on my body. I've already lost almost 2 cup sizes up top!

I also read about the studies showing that catechins CAN target belly fat, so I've been trying to have at least a cup a day of the hot, and 1-2 of the iced tea variety. However, those studies never say for how many people it had an effect on belly fat, how much of an effect it was, or how much tea to create a noticeable effect. Also I am not sure whether the powdered variety does this as well as the full leafed variety. But I figure it can't hurt!

I did NOT know about CLA's, Triphala or Omega-3's benefits, though. I will definitely have to add a cup of yogurt a day to my cup of green tea a day regimen, and try to eat more fish, which I love anyway. I have read that Omega 3's benefits are much better when taken in a direct manner - i.e. eating the omega 3 food vs just taking supplements. Something is lost in the process of making the supplements I guess. Just food for thought.

I read almonds do help with metabolism as well - an health article stated that eating a handful of almonds after a work out can help torch more calories. Maybe due to all the protein? Almonds I don't think are heavy with omega-3's, so not sure what gives them their weight loss benefit.

Caffeine in general is a metabolism booster, so instead of replacing your coffee with green tea, you might want to just back it up with tea :)

Also, avoid soda, beer and other carbonated beverages for the most part. They cause water retention and the air from the bubbles bloats your tummy.

As mom's, we tend to have poor posture due to hip carrying our kids, so try to keep good posture, and hold baby/kid weight as centered as possibly when holding them. Good posture promotes better core strength, which will help make the belly area look much leaner. Holding extra weight from the kids centered can probably help increase some of that core strength, too. Plus standing up straight pull up your stomach and instantly gives it a smaller appearance.

AND, right before you do don that bathing suit, try to steer clear of heavy fiber sources. Yes, fiber is good for dieting and feeling full, but it also causes bloating, making any tummy issues look worse. Same for bloat causing veggies like broccoli, beans, peppers, etc.

Anyway, those are the things I've learned to try and battle the bulge. Thanks for your insights!

I'm sorry to hear that you're in a funk. I've been trying to lose some weight too and have found that the hardest part is not really having someone to do things with and push me along while my husband's out of town. Do you have any friends with kids? You could make play dates with them where you all go on a nice long walk or run in a park.

Also, I'm interested to know how you think the methods you mentioned work. I've never heard of triphala, but it sounds interesting. Let us know how things go!

I'm so sorry you've been in a funk. Exercise is usually helpful to bring me out of it. Forcing myself to do it is always the hardest part.
Thanks for the tips, I think a lot of people are looking to lose some weight this time of year, myself included :)

LOL. i don't even HAVE kids, and i've got the mom apron. weslee, you never fail to make me laugh! thanks for the tips.

Wow there's a lot of really good feedback! Thanks for all the helpful information.

I left out the part that I am normally a really good eater (lots of organic stuff, veggies & fruit and no red meat are normal for me). I also walk a lot and have started and stopped several workout videos (none of which have been able to hold my attention for long)!

It's tough, because I'm thin everywhere else except the mid-section so I don't want to loose anywhere else but there (however it seems like that might be impossible!).

have you thought about a little liposuction? some people can diet and exercise and crunch their abs thousands of times with no results. i do lots of plastic surgeries at work and for some people, it's the right thing to do. not sure of your feelings on the subject, but it's definitely an option, especially if you're thin everywhere else. and depending on how much you want rid of, it could be done in the office -- you wouldn't have to be unconscious. i'm pretty anti-plastic surgery, but i would consider this for myself if diet and exercise didn't do enough for me.

I never have heard this term. So sorry to see you had such a difficult time. It sounds like you have a good plan for getting back in shape. I have managed to lose forty pounds....but it took me a year and I want to lose fifty more. I was always really thin, until a few years ago when I was diagnosed as diabetic...so progress is slow but steady. I am happy with it...and pulling for you!

@weslee Unfortunately the fat's going to have to come from other places too. Your extremities are always the first to lose fat and the last place to gain it. To some extent it's genetic and everyone's body has slightly different pre-determined patterns of fat loss and gain, but the midsection and lower torso are always going to be the last place to go.

Also, you should consider replacing some walking with interval training. Walking is good because it's easy and low impact, but interval training has been shown to burn a higher percentage of calories from fat than "steady-state" cardio, and in a shorter amount of time. It can be as simple as alternating running for a minute then walking for a minute. It's fun and effective, give it a shot!

Ooo! I always loved intervals when I ran cross country and track. I swear I was the only one who did, but I really did enjoy it. It helps break up the monotony of a steady pace run.

Sorry to hear you are in a funk. :( But it looks like you have done a lot of sound research. The only thing I have ever had luck with when it comes to shedding fat from the abdominal area is LOTS of cardio & core exercises. And eating very few carbs helps me a great deal. I know my sister in law has had great luck with the South Beach diet when it comes to losing weight. I read her cookbook for it once and it looks like a very healthy diet. I think it just focuses on low carbs and sugar I think.

Goof luck with the battle.I know hoe hard it is to get motivated to get up and moving!

I love all the recs. people are making. But most importantly--don't be too hard on yourself. You have two kids, my dear! There's some of us with no kids who have the belly fat (ehem, moi), so people like me have really no excuse. It sounds like you're on the right track and you'll get there!!

weslee, such great info and everyone else's comments are great! i have to agree with jinnyjinn, too, that we shouldn't be too hard on ourselves... when we see all those images of actresses and rock stars with 6-pack abs, just remember that they pay $$$$ for personal trainers and have the luxury to work out A LOT.

One thing I tend to gravitate to at the gym is the elliptical trainer... I don't really like running (and my knees like it even less), so I've found that I can get a good sweat going, without worrying about the impact on my knees.

good luck!!