Road to the perfect stomach

hmg90

I'm female, 23, 5"9 and 132 lbs. I'm aiming to lose a few more lbs, but not much.

My goal stomach is flat, but still feminine with some definition. I don't want a six pack or a stomach that looks masculine.
My ideal stomach would be flat and tight, like this:
http://media-cache-ec4.pinimg.com/originals/c9/e2/f7/c9e2f7f5d13ba77c6527acf67c435e6b.jpg

I know that for a stomach to be properly flat, you need to lose the fat on it. I've lost some fat the past few weeks and I also store most of my fat on my bum and hips, so there isn't much fat om my stomach anymore (the little there is I will try to get rid of). I think I can safely say what I'm lacking is definition.

I'm doing sit-ups, sometimes the variant where I lift my bum and legs. I do some pilates exercises, including "the 100".

I'm curious, for those with some experience, how much tummy exercises does it take per day and are some better than others?

MyChocolateDiet

The one hundred is what will do it. Just stick with it.

pastryari

I'm female, 23, 5"9 and 132 lbs. I'm aiming to lose a few more lbs, but not much.

My goal stomach is flat, but still feminine with some definition. I don't want a six pack or a stomach that looks masculine.
My ideal stomach would be flat and tight, like this:
http://media-cache-ec4.pinimg.com/originals/c9/e2/f7/c9e2f7f5d13ba77c6527acf67c435e6b.jpg

I know that for a stomach to be properly flat, you need to lose the fat on it. I've lost some fat the past few weeks and I also store most of my fat on my bum and hips, so there isn't much fat om my stomach anymore (the little there is I will try to get rid of). I think I can safely say what I'm lacking is definition.

I'm doing sit-ups, sometimes the variant where I lift my bum and legs. I do some pilates exercises, including "the 100".

I'm curious, for those with some experience, how much tummy exercises does it take per day and are some better than others?

I don't know, I want masculine abs so I can't help ya. Good luck.

Dragn77

From what I understand, you cant target where the fat comes off. Like doing the exercises builds your stomach muscles, but you still need to burn off the layer of fat that is sitting on top of those muscles. Ive heard it a lot that many have success with cutting white starches out of their diet. Honestly Im not sure how that works, because waaaay back when I had a flat stomach, I lived off pasta and breads..Im a carb monster lol but then again, that was yeeeears ago when I was young and really active all the time.

But yeah...Id say overall fat loss is what yo uare looking to do from the sounds of it, and what you are doing instead is targeted muscle definition instead.

itsuki

You can't spot reduce, or target stomach fat. "Tummy exercises" won't do much. The only way to have a flat stomach is to lose the fat... since many women store fat in their bellies, often it is the last place to get flat.

So, reasonable calorie deficit is your best bet. Flat stomachs are made in the kitchen, not the gym.

michellechawner

From what I understand, you cant target where the fat comes off. Like doing the exercises builds your stomach muscles, but you still need to burn off the layer of fat that is sitting on top of those muscles. Ive heard it a lot that many have success with cutting white starches out of their diet. Honestly Im not sure how that works, because waaaay back when I had a flat stomach, I lived off pasta and breads..Im a carb monster lol but then again, that was yeeeears ago when I was young and really active all the time.

But yeah...Id say overall fat loss is what yo uare looking to do from the sounds of it, and what you are doing instead is targeted muscle definition instead.

^^THIS - no such thing as spot reduction.

IpuffyheartHeelsinthegym

in to agree one cannot spot reduce. It is more about your nutrition than your workouts.

usmcmp

I'm the same height as you and weigh 20 pounds more than you, but I have visible abs and 18% body fat. My abs are visible because the muscles have volume from heavy lifting. I suggest you start weight training and ensuring your eating matches your goal and stats.



ETA: I don't do crunches or other ab work. It's all from heavy compound lifts.

hmg90

You can't spot reduce, or target stomach fat. "Tummy exercises" won't do much. The only way to have a flat stomach is to lose the fat... since many women store fat in their bellies, often it is the last place to get flat.

So, reasonable calorie deficit is your best bet. Flat stomachs are made in the kitchen, not the gym.

I didn't claim that you can spot reduce. I have lost almost all the fat on my stomach simply by cutting calories. The thing is that my stomach is no properly tight. I don't have that line on top which I want which comes from definition.
And I know that people (like Candice Swanepoel in my picture) achieve their stomach not only my having low body fat, but also by ab exercises.

I have heard the "abs are made in the kitchen approx 100 times, so I am well aware that fat reduction is no 1, I'm just asking what to do after.

gracielynn1011

I'm the same height as you and weigh 20 pounds more than you, but I have visible abs and 18% body fat. My abs are visible because the muscles have volume from heavy lifting. I suggest you start weight training and ensuring your eating matches your goal and stats.



ETA: I don't do crunches or other ab work. It's all from heavy compound lifts.

This is the stomach I want! Need to lower my body fat more.

hmg90

I don't know what your body fat is, but mine is currently around 24%, goal 22%. Below 22%, your fertility will be compromised, just saying...

IpuffyheartHeelsinthegym

I don't know what your body fat is, but mine is currently around 24%, goal 22%. Below 22%, your fertility will be compromised, just saying...

I'm probably about the same as USMCMP - around 18% and am healthier now than I've ever been. Also, Jamie Eason was probably about 15% or lower body fat when she got pregnant.

Fitness body fat is 20-24%. Women athlete body fat is 14-20%. Essential body fat in women is 10-13%. Anything below 10% on a woman, I might be concerned. Otherwise, not so much.

I_Will_End_You

Lifting will do wonders for your abs, and won't make you "manly" (eye roll) if you are eating at a deficit. I also really enjoy Jillian Michaels Killer Abs video if you want something that feels more ab-centric.

jwdieter

Women don't just end up with "manly" abs by mistake. Takes some hard work.

Also, suck tummy in and don't flex, plus photoshop ftw.

c_30

I'm the same height as you and weigh 20 pounds more than you, but I have visible abs and 18% body fat. My abs are visible because the muscles have volume from heavy lifting. I suggest you start weight training and ensuring your eating matches your goal and stats.



ETA: I don't do crunches or other ab work. It's all from heavy compound lifts.

The belly that is in my dreams - that was some kick *kitten* work to achieve those results!!! I'd take that over "skinny" any day!!!