Post: #1

I am fighting with my last leftover stubborn belly fat. I have done some research whether or not to add fruit in my diet. I would like to share with the forum what I have learned.

1. Grapefruit. According to this study, subjects eating grapefruits lost 1.6 kg in 12 weeks compared to the subjects using placebo who lost only 0.3 kg. One interesting result is that insulin resistance is found to be improved. However, subjects were obese people.

2. Blueberries and other berries. I think berries are well-known in the diet and fitness circles; antioxidants, less calories, nutritious etc. This study shows that blueberries improve insulin sensitivity. The study uses obese people.

3. Apple....... cider vinegar. I was trying to find a study on apples but instead I found one on apple cider vinegar. Of course, this is well know in the Rooshvforum. Here is the study.

These are what I found. I hope some of you will add to the list, either scientific studies or your own experiences.

Post: #2

Go to myfitnesspal.com and compute your daily macros. Post the results here.

Also, what's your work out regiment with sets/reps?

I don't trust studies when it comes to weight loss. Way too many variables to account for which they never seem to do.

Post: #3

Honestly I wouldn't worry about any of that, if it makes any difference at all it's most likely negligible. It is just overcomplicating things. Better to just focus on the basics: eat a calorie deficit, keep lifting, get enough protein and fat in your diet.

The thing with the belly fat is that it is some of the last fat to go. So you are going to have to lose most of the fat on your back, arms, legs etc. first.

Post: #4

(11-18-2014 06:26 PM)ABCDEFGH Wrote:  Honestly I wouldn't worry about any of that, if it makes any difference at all it's most likely negligible. It is just overcomplicating things. Better to just focus on the basics: eat a calorie deficit, keep lifting, get enough protein and fat in your diet.

The thing with the belly fat is that it is some of the last fat to go. So you are going to have to lose most of the fat on your back, arms, legs etc. first.

True story. I've lost the majority of fat on my body that has been troubling me for years. Guess where I still have fat? Stomach.

Can't spot reduce fat, so you may as well stick to trying to reduce overall fat and just deal with it as best you can.

Post: #5

(11-18-2014 07:57 PM)Sturmgeist Wrote:  

(11-18-2014 06:26 PM)ABCDEFGH Wrote:  Honestly I wouldn't worry about any of that, if it makes any difference at all it's most likely negligible. It is just overcomplicating things. Better to just focus on the basics: eat a calorie deficit, keep lifting, get enough protein and fat in your diet.

The thing with the belly fat is that it is some of the last fat to go. So you are going to have to lose most of the fat on your back, arms, legs etc. first.

True story. I've lost the majority of fat on my body that has been troubling me for years. Guess where I still have fat? Stomach.

Can't spot reduce fat, so you may as well stick to trying to reduce overall fat and just deal with it as best you can.

Yes exactly.

By the way topic creator just to clarify: do eat your grapefruits and blueberries and other fruits and vegetables. It's said to be healthy.

There is just no need to worry about how they affect insulin sensitivity and all that unless you suffer from something like diabetes or is a pro bodybuilder aiming to enter a contest at 5% bodyfat.

Post: #6

Thank you for the replies gentlemen. My main motivation to start the topic was to learn the experience of guys who have at least 4 packs. Do they eat fruits, and if so, which fruits? If you do not have 4 packs, then feel free to give examples of scientific studies on fruits and weight loss relation. I realize that I did a terrible job of writing my first post of the thread. It was not clearly written.

If enough number of subjects are randomly assigned in a scientific experiment, then this takes care of " there are too many variables" argument. Regardless, I can emphatize your skepticism (e.g. obese subjects may react differently than us) but scientific studies give us a good starting point in my humble opinion. I bet some of these studies are started after hearing the real life experiences of body builders or some obese patients who have tried various diets. If some of the forum members answer my question, then we can back up the scientific studies with some real life experience. The least we can learn that one can have a 4 pack although he eats fruits.

I agree with most of what you said on losing belly fat. As frenchie wrote computing macros are important. As ABCDEFGH added, calorie deficit, lifting, a diet high in protein with enough fat is vital, and as Sturmgeist confirmed belly fats are the last to go.