The fat on the stomach is usually the last thing to go once the fat has gone from other areas from your body.
Keep exercising and eating clean and it will go in the end. Avoid stomach crunches because they will tone and build the muscles underneath the fat and can make you look even bigger because you have built muscles underneath.
Ranae pretty much said it - and I agree that 25 pounds by August is somewhat aggressive.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Hi cmjohn .. and WELCOME to the WL&D community.
Here's a few ideas I hope you'll consider ..
1. Exercise - Pilates and yoga are really good for building our core muscles and just dedicating yourself to regular exercise, of varying types and intensity, will give you the best results shape-wise and metabolism-wise. Start your Exercise tracker.
What do you like to do?
Do you have a resistance band? Will try to get some resistance band exercises loaded in Health Pages and provide you with a link. Give me through the weekend please and I'll try to have them up.
In the meantime .. have you thought of belly dancing? Lesson 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XApEfM3esMg&feature=related Lesson 2 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itKnrvP1wFc&feature=related Beginning Workout and Performance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Z9XFZOH9ds
I've got some abdominal exercises we'll try to get up in the next 3 weeks .. there is another member who helps with that who is currently out of the country visiting his family.
2. FOOD - KNOW what you eat and be sure your diet consists of lean meats, fruits and vegetables, complex carbohydrates, low fat dairy and good fats in moderation.
May I suggest you also implement MedHelp's NEW FOOD DIARY .. as it will help you keep an accurate picture of what you are consuming and how that relates to your Weight and Exercise trackers.
Losing 1-2 lbs a week is a good average .. so your goal of 25 lbs is a little aggressive .. but do-able. Remember .. it takes 3,500 calories saved or energy expended in exercise to lose 1 lb.
Please shout out any questions, stay involved in the community and let us know how you are doing! We're all here to WELCOME, Support and Encourage you!
Very best wishes ...