As lame as it sounds, diet and exercise.

Seriously, though, if you're on a healthy diet (and I mean HEALTHY) and you run every couple days and do sit-ups the other days, you'll be fine in a month. I promise.

yeah eat good food ... meaning no animal products. Or as little animal products as possible ... http://skinnybitch.net/ Awesome book!

JakeC, does that apply to women too, cause it seems like we have a harder time getting rid of the stubborn belly fat! i can get in shape everywhere pretty quickly, legs, arms, rear.. but that little belly refuses to go!

Yeah, it seems to be really hard for women to lose their belly. I always lose in my hip and butt area, then my legs and arm usually firm up but never the stomache. If you find out how to get rid of the stomache please let me know.

I don't think that's true of all women--I have no trouble keeping my stomach trim, but can never get rid of the fat on my butt and thighs. I think people just naturally have different body shapes, and therefore different trouble spots when it comes to losing fat.

There is a diet that is specifically for losing belly fat. I think it's called the Abs Diet. They sell the book on Amazon.

I think it is important to realize though that you cannot escape your body type. Do you know which you are? Ectomorph, Endomorph, Mesomorph, or a combination? Michael Thurmond also writes books that cater to plans for specific body types. If you are someone that tends to carry weight around your middle, you will likely always have that problem. I tend to carry my excess weight around my waist as well. I first worked on getting the weight off and now I am working on trimming that area as much as I can through exercise. I've accepted that this is going to a lifelong challenge and commitment. It's been slow going but that layer of fat that stayed on my stomach after I lost weight is melting....slloooooowwwwwllyyyyy.

For women, there are a few other issues that can affect some extra padding around the mid section.
Stress has been shown to result in some excess waist fat.
Also, for some of the older women, like me, around about menopause, you will notice a bit more waist inches.
I don't want to be making excuses, but sometimes, there may be something that is out of your control.

Your overall bodyfat will dwindle down with lots of cardio, some good solid resistance training, and a clean healthy diet to support your exercise regime.

I have been trying to work on that excess waist issue, and I have found that the good old fashioned cardio is helping me feel less bloated and in time, I hope to see some disappearance of a few inches.
I try to go to spinning classes at least 3 times a week, but you can always do daily bicycle crunches and planks to help with your assault on those fat laden abs and core.

good luck in whatever you try.

I agree with the fact that each of us have "trouble spots". Even as I lose weight all over, it might appear that I'm not losing weight because I maintain my shape but just a smaller version of it (My hips, lower tummy & triceps stay cushiony). I just keep in mind that these are the first places that my body decides to pile on the fat and therefore the last to lose.
You cannot spot reduce so eating a well balanced, healthy diet and combining strength training with cardio and flexibility will evetually lead you to YOUR best body.
Good luck!

Drink lots of water.

Diet and exercise will bring it down, but again it may still be a trouble spot-just less of it. Trying to firm it up with crunches might help. Overall, I think cutting out sugar and as many unhealthy carbs seemed to have helped me. Also eating more protein seemed helpful for me as well. Good luck.