Is abdominal fat really the last to go?

[NorCalAnt]

Been cutting since Jan. 1, down 195-174. I have kept pretty much all my strength but I noticed during the last 7 lbs of weight loss, I havent lost any abd fat or atleast it doesnt look like it. Im getting nervous as i am getting lighter but its still there. I do not want to be 160 and still have abd fat so my question is, is the theory that we lose abd fat at the end of a diet true? Because i have plauteud on my abd fat loss at the moment but had good results at first.

[SuffolkPunch]

No it's all big lie.

Spoiler!

With typical male genetics, yes it is - but there are exceptions.

[etet1919]

SP is right, when it comes to men. With women, typically lower body fat is the most stubborn, and the last to go. Women with "apple" shapes MAY have an easier time losing fat, if that's their genetic predisposition (that's what certain studies have suggested, but it makes sense).

With men, even when at a healthy LBM, it's the opposite- a few inches will be the last to go.

I say if you have a flat midsection, that is a good enough look...for anyone! Ripped up abs are not generally maintainable year round (mho) UNLESS you do not genetically store any fat/weight in your upper body, or you're CAREFULLY maintaining the right diet down to a T.

[hardyboysare]

Think where most your organs are and where your reproductive parts are (especially in women).

Your body ain't stupid, fat is designed to cushion and protect whilst offer insulation it is a evolution survival mechanism. Therefore if you are trying to lose the last bits of fat on a man it will be around the belly, lower back and upper groin.

You may think fat is annoying and pointless but I can assure you to your body getting very low body fat is not an effective survival mechanic therefore will ensure its best to keep some fat to protects its vital parts.

Last to go, and first to come back.

Declaimer:- of course some individual differences exist but generally this is the case.

[Tommy W.]

It comes off everywhere however the middle generally has the most fat so visibly it comes off last but the statement SHOULD be it ALL comes of there last. Your waist when measured at the navel goes down around 1” with every 5-7 lbs of fat loss so can you imagine if your arms or legs did that? So in reality it comes off the middle fastest. The very last place the last bit of fat comes from will be the middle in most cases though

[Daniel1836]

You aren't required to drop another 15 pounds to lose belly fat. I've maintained my weight while losing 2% body fat this year. What is required is that you are eating at a deficit.

[Garage Rat]

It will be different with different people.
There is no exact way where you lose fat on specific areas of your body.
It,your body will drop BF where it wants to not where you want it to.
So as mentioned you need to maintain for a long period of time until you reach low BF levels.

[NorCalAnt]

Been on a deficit, my weight loss has not plateud, just abd fat loss. My strength is all there as well.

[sunsean]

As mentioned, it isn't universal, but generally for MOST, especially guys, the midsection is the last part to visually get the "lean" look.

And when you're talking 6 pack/super lean, most people are surprised how low in body weight they need to go to get there, it's common, only way to know is to keep cutting until you're happy with what you see.

[jademonkey]

For me yes it is last. But I also show abs up to 17%+ so I disagree with etet1919 that abs aren't maintainable depending on activities and age. I had solid abs most of my life. But yeah when I bulked I lost the definition. Definitely got better down at 11%

[Tommy W.]

For me yes it is last. But I also show abs up to 17%+ so I disagree with etet1919

this will be dependent on where your fat is stored and by how developed the abs are either genetically or by training

[borosso]

A good friend of mine is a professional trainer - he says that it all depends on genetics. Another factor is the place where your fat is stored.

[Tricon7]

For 95% of men, yep, the gut is the last bastion of fat to say adios. I'm 5'10" and was dieting hard to get just a flat stomach, much less a six-pack. I got down to 160 (my high school weight was 155), and people thought I was sick I had lost so much weight. Yet when I looked at my profile in the mirror, I had the slightest bulge at my gut - even at 160. I would have needed to lose at least another five pounds to get an absolute flat stomach, but I would have looked like a thin runner to do so. It can be done, but just know what's in store.

[bowtourking]

Unfortunately I'm down to 198 from 247 and I can confirm that the stomach is the last to go, your body seems to find fat ANYWHERE else first.

[Tommy W.]

It isn't the last to go it's the last place it COMPLETELY goes.

[deano110]

I can tell you from my experience, the glutes are the last place for it to go.

Generally speaking men store fat in the abdominal region, to determine this for yourself I've found the first place you appear to store fat when in a gaining phase, is also the last place it goes during a deficit.

[earthtospace]

It depends on your body type . Some people store phat in their thighs , some lucky ones have even distribution and some store fat in their bellies . In that case you will have to loose fat from areas that it is not visible before the lower bellie fat is removed. You are not the only one . Statistically most people are build this way . You should concentrate on things that you can change more easily such as building muscle in your chest , shoulder and lats. Apart from helping you loose fat , your body proportions will improve and get a v-shape