Abs!

[kinky]

I tried the search engine but I couldn't seem to find anything on abs. Maybe I didn't use the search engine correctly.
Anyhow, I'm 15 and I would REALLY appreciate any tips on how to get a nice flat toned stomach. I've been doing situps and Pilates exercises endlessly but I've seen little improvement. When I lie flat down on my stomach I can see that there's still a noticeable bump on my stomach. I want my stomach to be flat and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to achieve that! If there are any other threads on abs could you also link them to your post? Thanks :)

[freaker]

You can work your abs all you want, but that will only develop the muscle. You need to lose the body fat to have a flat stomach. You lose the body fat through a combination of weight training, cardio, and diet.

[pogue]

Originally posted by freaker
You can work your abs all you want, but that will only develop the muscle. You need to lose the body fat to have a flat stomach. You lose the body fat through a combination of weight training, cardio, and diet.

This is correct. I believe you need below 8% bodyfat to see your abs, and you cannot spot reduce. You have to lose bodyfat all over in order to achieve this.

[SIXPAK GQ]

abs are made in the kitchen, and genetics plays a role also. sit ups/crunches are just icing on the cake to make it tighter and more visable.

its kinda sad to see people doing useless situps/crunches when they have a flabby stomach.

[bufchk]

Originally posted by pogue
This is correct. I believe you need below 8% bodyfat to see your abs, and you cannot spot reduce. You have to lose bodyfat all over in order to achieve this.

If you're female you do not have to get this lean in order to acheive definition in the ab area. I am 16-17% and my abs good pretty damn good. Women do not need to get that lean unless you're doing a contest

[kinky]

Thanks good advice
My stomach's not flabby in the way that it hangs over my pants when I'm walking. My stomach's just soft and I would like to get rid of the fat before I get started toning it otherwise I think I'd end up looking kind of bulky there.

[TrishB]

Kinky....if you go to the homepage of BB.com and go into article listings. CLick on training and it will give you a whole section to review on working the abs.

It will not hurt to start working them, even if you have a layer of fat over them. I would stay away from using weighted ab exercises for now though.

Bufchk is correct that women, unlike men, do not need to get into single digits to get the definition in their abs.

[wannabestud]

Sorry, I'm not a chick, but you could use an ab roller, like the ab slide, or that new ab chair thing that came out on TV. My dad has an ab slide, and it works pretty good. Just be prepared to not be able to bend over the next day.

[kinky]

What does the ab roller look like exactly? Chances are I've seen it on tv but don't remember the name. I'm in the process of getting Winsor Pilates lol my friend's mother used to make her exercise all the time on videos and everything and she did a lot of ab exercises and she ended up with a flat flat stomach.

Would you consider 20 minutes of constant paced walking cardio? I do 20 minutes 5 days a week while I'm walking to school.
I figure walking consistently is better than doing no walking at all... I've been biking and exercising and I'm slowly seeing improvement

[wannabestud]

It looks like a little case thing with a wheel on the bottom and 2 handles on the side. You kneel on the floor and stretch out as far as you can and pull yourself back. Seen it? I'd gladly trade stomachs with you if it were possible. I'm waaaaay to skinny :(

[RenalAdrenal]

Lowering your body fat percentage is a must for lotsa muscle visibility. However, you are still pretty young, and lowering your fat percentage down too low could cause problems with your bodies growth. Especially being female. I am not saying not to worry about your fat percentage, just don't get too overboard about it just yet cause your body is still in growth mode.
Just eat a healthy diet, and exercise normally. Crunches are wonderful ab toners, but don't forget about the other muscles that need to be worked inorder to get that cute six-pack. Obliques, both internal and external need a good workin, as well as your lower back.
I used to think crunches were the only way to get abs, and wondered why I couldn't see any definition. Then I added obliques and what have you and it was like an over-night transformation. But I don't know.. that could just be me. Heheh! Anyhow, be healthy in whatever you do.

[freaker]

Originally posted by kinky
What does the ab roller look like exactly? Chances are I've seen it on tv but don't remember the name. I'm in the process of getting Winsor Pilates lol my friend's mother used to make her exercise all the time on videos and everything and she did a lot of ab exercises and she ended up with a flat flat stomach.

Would you consider 20 minutes of constant paced walking cardio? I do 20 minutes 5 days a week while I'm walking to school.
I figure walking consistently is better than doing no walking at all... I've been biking and exercising and I'm slowly seeing improvement

I wouldn't waste my time with the ab roller. Crunches and reverse crunches are much more effective and can be done anywhere without equipment. I also know people who felt ab rollers were bad on their back.

Walking is better than nothing, but 20 minutes of intense cardio would be more effective. Stay consistent and slowly raise the intensity, I'm sure you'll continue to see improvement.

[rockn2dmax]

Originally posted by RenalAdrenal
Lowering your body fat percentage is a must for lotsa muscle visibility. However, you are still pretty young, and lowering your fat percentage down too low could cause problems with your bodies growth. Especially being female. I am not saying not to worry about your fat percentage, just don't get too overboard about it just yet cause your body is still in growth mode.
Just eat a healthy diet, and exercise normally. Crunches are wonderful ab toners, but don't forget about the other muscles that need to be worked inorder to get that cute six-pack. Obliques, both internal and external need a good workin, as well as your lower back.
I used to think crunches were the only way to get abs, and wondered why I couldn't see any definition. Then I added obliques and what have you and it was like an over-night transformation. But I don't know.. that could just be me. Heheh! Anyhow, be healthy in whatever you do.

EXACTLY...

all these 15 & 16 year olds trying to look like super models...
wait until you grow up a little more... hell, by 18 you might just lose the baby fat that's hiding those abs anyways!