Why Belly Fat is the Last To Go (Even If You're Doing All the Right Things)

Inspired by Tom Venuto’s classic “swimming pool” analogy

Whether this is the first time in your life you're trying to get rid of belly fat…
or you’ve already started making changes like walking more, eating better, or finally getting enough protein —
you might still feel stuck.

You’re making the effort.
You're showing up.
But when you look in the mirror or step on the scale?

It doesn’t feel like anything’s happening.

Frustrating, right?

Let’s talk about why you might not be seeing progress yet — and why that doesn’t mean nothing is happening.

The Swimming Pool Analogy (Credit: Tom Venuto)

Think of your body like a swimming pool filled with extra fat around the middle.

When you start eating better, moving more, and focusing on your habits — it’s like you’ve dipped in a bucket and started draining the pool. Little by little.

But here’s the kicker:
Fat doesn’t leave evenly from all parts of your body.

Just like a pool, the shallow end drains first.

So you might notice your face slimming down.
Maybe your bra fits differently.
Maybe your upper arms are a little less squishy.

But the deep end — your belly, hips, thighs, and other “stubborn” areas — still looks the same.

That’s normal.
That’s biology.
That’s your shallow end draining last.

So What Happens Next?

Here’s what most women do (and maybe you’ve been here too):

You get frustrated.
You tell yourself, “It’s not working.”
And then you go searching for something else, something faster.

That’s when the diet-hopping starts:
Keto, Noom, shakes, intermittent fasting, detoxes... rinse, repeat.

But here’s the truth:
Every time you quit and restart with something new,
you refill the pool.

You start over at the shallow end. Again.

What to Do Instead?

Keep going. Keep scooping.
Keep showing up for yourself.

Because every time you…

• Pause and eat when you're actually hungry — scoop.

• Eat to a 7/10 fullness — scoop.

• Plan your meals instead of grabbing food on a whim — scoop.

• Speak to yourself with compassion instead of shame — scoop.

You’re draining the pool.

It may not be visible yet in your belly, your hips, or your thighs —
but if you stay consistent, it’s coming.

The Shallow End Goes First. The Deep End Takes Time.

You won’t outsmart biology.
You can’t spot-reduce belly fat,
but you can reduce overall fat — and eventually, that includes the belly.

And the most successful women I work with?
They don’t wait until they “feel motivated.”
They don’t quit when the scale doesn’t budge for two weeks.
They keep scooping, even when it’s boring, even when it’s slow.

Because they know:
Confidence is built in the process.
Fat loss is too.

If You Want a Plan That Doesn’t Rely on Diet Hopping…

If you’re tired of jumping from one plan to another —
and want a personalized, doable, shame-free approach that works with your midlife hormones and lifestyle?

Let’s talk.

📞 Book a FREE Weight Loss Jumpstart Call
You’ll walk away with clarity on exactly why you’re stuck — and how to get unstuck.
No pressure. No calorie counting. Just a real solution.

👉 [Click here to grab your spot before they fill up]

Because the pool is draining.
You just need to stick with the plan long enough to see the deep end go too.