Your belly might be an insurance policy of sorts!
I was talking to one of my colleagues the other day who works in the OR. She called her belly and "insurance policy" as sometimes women who have breast cancer, and have to have mastectomies may elect to do a "TRAM" flap, where they use belly skin (and fat) as breast replacements. This avoids the other type of breast implants (silicone or saline). Interestingly, those who do have TRAM flaps and who normally gain weight in their mid section, when they do gain weight.....gain weight in their new breasts! Needless to say, my colleagues were not eager to lose the belly or have liposuction to quickly...they really consider it an insurance policy of sorts!
Anyway, I think I'm gonna do a modified South Beach. Knock of the white carb/sugar stuff, increase my protein, and try to eat frequent small meals.
It will be a challenge during the holiday season, but gotta start somewhere!
Lucky