Please explain this to me! upper and lower ab question

[hmotb555]

Ok so I noticed that my stomach as a whole is getting flatter but it seems that only the top part is getting firmer, the bottom part is still flabby. I work all parts of my abs, actually I feel as if I put more energy into lower abs and I eat a good amount of fiber. I mean I know I get my junk in as well but I just thought the abs would gain muscle evenly...does that make sense? It seems like my upper abs are making more progress than my lower abs, which to me seems strange because I don't really concentrate on the upper part of my abs that much

[Amanda76]

Most women carry more fat below the belly button (lower ab area). If you're like most women, chances are your entire upper body will look quite lean before your hips, glutes and thighs catch on, too...

[aznprincess]

yep. you'll probably get leaner (which is what is happening to you ) from top to bottom.

[justass]

As far as muscle development goes there is no such thing as "upper" and "lower" abs. At least not in the portion that you can see, the rectus abdominus. It's all one muscle. The "six-pack" indentations are fibrous connective tissue between the muscle sections which allow you to articulate the muscle, but if you are flexing your rectus abdominius, the whole thing is flexing... not just the top or bottom. If you feel mushy on the bottom its because you're carrying more body fat there (which it totally normal, particularly for a woman) which can only be effected by diet.

[hmotb555]

Thanks ladies! Well my diet is coming together and I know that I'm dropping fat so I will just have to exercise the hardest muscle of all now....patience

[trish123]

Thanks ladies! Well my diet is coming together and I know that I'm dropping fat so I will just have to exercise the hardest muscle of all now....patience

You got it. One good tactic is to weigh yourself and do other measurements only on x number of days, say every 3 - 4 weeks. That way you can focus more on eating right and exercise as opposed to watching the scale for the numbers to change. Changing body shape is like very *gradual* hills and valleys.... to be healthy you want it to take time.

[ironbelle]

I weigh myself every two or three weeks. I'm due for a weigh in this week. I refuse to buy a scale because I know I'll be on it every damn day.

[kfprr]

I weigh myself every two or three weeks. I'm due for a weigh in this week. I refuse to buy a scale because I know I'll be on it every damn day.

Indeed, and good on ya...Half the time it seems like women step on the scale JUST so they can b**** at themselves. The numbers don't tell you much!

[Defiant1]

Ok so I noticed that my stomach as a whole is getting flatter but it seems that only the top part is getting firmer, the bottom part is still flabby. I work all parts of my abs, actually I feel as if I put more energy into lower abs and I eat a good amount of fiber. I mean I know I get my junk in as well but I just thought the abs would gain muscle evenly...does that make sense? It seems like my upper abs are making more progress than my lower abs, which to me seems strange because I don't really concentrate on the upper part of my abs that much

What do you do for abs? Common issue. While bodyfat IS a part of it is not the whole part.

"Isolation" does not mean complete isolation; that is a straw-man. It means "emphasis".

Certain exercises definitely "emphasize" the lower abs.

Note:



while this example might seem trite, it has actually prompted physiologists (e.g. McGill et. al.) to study what was going on. Important to note McGill initially said "no, can't do it".

The conclusion seems to be that at least SOME people can relatively "isolate" parts of their abs. Makes sense given the multiple innervations to the rectus and peoples subjective experience.

[TheAmazon]

lol...that's a belly roll, ala belly dancing.

anybody CAN do that...it just takes some years of practice. There are also more complicated moves where you freeze your diaphragm and make the upper area flutter.

[Julie01]

Most women carry more fat below the belly button (lower ab area). If you're like most women, chances are your entire upper body will look quite lean before your hips, glutes and thighs catch on, too...

I am having the same issue. And it is true what you are saying. My upper body is leaning out faster than my lower body. This includes upper and lower abs too... UHH!

I am using the stepmill like crazy to help catch my lower body up to my upper body. And I think it is working. I have dropped a pant size in 3 weeks....

[Defiant1]

lol...that's a belly roll, ala belly dancing.

anybody CAN do that...it just takes some years of practice. There are also more complicated moves where you freeze your diaphragm and make the upper area flutter.

right....


...the point being the rectus doesn't always contract equally as one unit....

...your second point would back mine up...

[Simpy]

That video made my rectus flutter.

Defiant, do you have link for the journal article that you referenced? I'd be interested in reading more about this.

[hmotb555]

I do all types of abdominal work. I do the knee raises, crunches, planks, I do exercises with my medicine ball, I take yoga and I am eating healthy and I am at a deficit...I actually just lost 3lbs....I carry majority of my weight in my mid-section....my upper and lower body are getting firmer and so I think my abs will be the last place to lose the fat

[justass]

right....


...the point being the rectus doesn't always contract equally as one unit....

...your second point would back mine up...

My point wasn't that it contracts equally as one unit, but that with the range of motion required to contract through a typical abdominal exercise (one that places enough stress on the muscle for growth or strength) the entire muscle will fire. I agree that you can contract various portions of the muscle isometrically in sequence, just like you can with your tongue (its a single muscle but most people can articulate it just as a belly dancer does with her abs). It doesn't mean that you should work "lower abs" to try and get visible results because its ineffective.

[justass]

I do all types of abdominal work. I do the knee raises, crunches, planks, I do exercises with my medicine ball, I take yoga and I am eating healthy and I am at a deficit...I actually just lost 3lbs....I carry majority of my weight in my mid-section....my upper and lower body are getting firmer and so I think my abs will be the last place to lose the fat

Congrats on everything you've accomplished so far! Keep it up...its the last place for a lot of people (particularly women).

[Defiant1]

My point wasn't that it contracts equally as one unit, but that with the range of motion required to contract through a typical abdominal exercise (one that places enough stress on the muscle for growth or strength) the entire muscle will fire. I agree that you can contract various portions of the muscle isometrically in sequence, just like you can with your tongue (its a single muscle but most people can articulate it just as a belly dancer does with her abs). It doesn't mean that you should work "lower abs" to try and get visible results because its ineffective.

The fact that it is a "single muscle" doesn't at all explain its function. Gross anatomical nomenclature is just that. Determined centuries ago. As prev. stated, the rectus has multiple MAIN innervations, not just secondary ones, similar to the clavicular and sternal pectorals.

I am saying "emphasis". If you are saying that the lower abs cannot be measured being used in "priority", during "result producing" intensity, that is not correct.

If I am misinterpreting you I apologize.

[Nyla_Nguyen]

Ok so I noticed that my stomach as a whole is getting flatter but it seems that only the top part is getting firmer, the bottom part is still flabby. I work all parts of my abs, actually I feel as if I put more energy into lower abs and I eat a good amount of fiber. I mean I know I get my junk in as well but I just thought the abs would gain muscle evenly...does that make sense? It seems like my upper abs are making more progress than my lower abs, which to me seems strange because I don't really concentrate on the upper part of my abs that much

this is normal, your body tends to lose fat from top to bottom. So first you'll notice in the shoulder areas and arms first and then it will go to your mid section and then lower extremities. this is true for abs as well. First 4 abs are easy to achieve, last remaining 2 is always hard. It requires a strict diet and a good amount of resistance training in the abdominal area to tone it up and lots of cardio to get rid of water weight and fat.

[hmotb555]

this is normal, your body tends to lose fat from top to bottom. So first you'll notice in the shoulder areas and arms first and then it will go to your mid section and then lower extremities. this is true for abs as well. First 4 abs are easy to achieve, last remaining 2 is always hard. It requires a strict diet and a good amount of resistance training in the abdominal area to tone it up and lots of cardio to get rid of water weight and fat.

Yeah water weight sucks....I feel like everything just goes straight to my abs lol! If only my abs could be as firm as my upper and lower body, even my butt is pretty firm! I just gotta tighten the diet up more and keep working! But I am glad that I'm making progress so I'm happy about that!

Thanks justass!