Can you go from big stomach/love handles to flat stomach/6 pack?

brendacs21

I have lost 25 lbs and im working on losing another 25 lbs. A friend of mine insists that the stomach once its big cannot be flat or have a six pack ever no matter what you do, unless there is surgery involved. Although it is not my goal (yes I want to reduce my fat in that area) is that true? I am currently 152 lbs and 5'2 and 37 years old. At my lowest weight I was 140 and had a good sized love handle there lol

Chef_Barbell

Yes.

TavistockToad

Chef_Barbell wrote: »

Yes.

Agreed.

mitch16

Yes, but note that it will take some hard work, dedication, and time.

amtyrell

Go over to the success threads you will see lots of people have.
Also friend is not supportive you might stop talking about health and fitness goals with them.

sardelsa

I have had two kids and my stomach bounced back no problem. So yes it is possible. A true 6-pack on women can be more difficult as you not only have to be lean but you have to have the muscle base for it to show, but with lots of work it can be done.

Sunna_W

I think it depends on your own physiology and how stretchy your skin is and if you have had kids. There are plenty of women out there who have done a lot of body work (here on MFP) that didn't include surgery that look pretty great. Maybe pose your question a different way to see if they will respond.

Here is an article that explains:

https://www.muscleforlife.com/how-to-get-rid-of-loose-skin-after-weight-loss/

sijomial

Now you know not to ask your friend for advice.....

brendacs21

Sunna_W wrote: »

I think it depends on your own physiology and how stretchy your skin is and if you have had kids. There are plenty of women out there who have done a lot of body work (here on MFP) that didn't include surgery that look pretty great. Maybe pose your question a different way to see if they will respond.

Here is an article that explains:

https://www.muscleforlife.com/how-to-get-rid-of-loose-skin-after-weight-loss/

thank you for this article! it explained a lot!

Geocitiesuser

I've always had big love handles, always. Now that I'm a healthy weight they are completely gone and the only thing that remains is a small bit of loose wrinkled skin that is hardly noticeable. Next up will be abs. So yes, totally possible.

livingleanlivingclean

Yes.

(for most of my adult life I was about 55-60lbs heavier than my profile pic.)

rainbow198

I did. I had huge love handles, back fat and big belly and a pooch.

With hard work, patience and dedication it's all gone!

It did take a couple of years after I reached my goal for the loose skin on my stomach to go away.

I did no crunches or had ab days. While lifting and doing Pilates those workouts hits my core indirectly and work that area.

My stomach is flat and tight, not a 6 pack - that's not what I want, but yes it is possible.

MileHighFitness

Well.. I sure as hell hope so..

Chieflrg

I did it in my 40's after having several evasive surgeries through my abdominals one leaving a 10-12" scar.

Hard to say without knowing your LBM but I'd hazard you might have to be in 105-110 range to have a ripped look at your height.

shadow2soul

In the most recent pic I'm still slightly bloated from having surgery to remove my Mirena IUD.

The pic at the beginning of the month: I look mad, but really it just hurt a lot to flex. I didn't know it at the time, but Mirena had perforated my uterus the night before and was the source of my pain.

The before pics are actually after I had already lost weight. So my tummy was bigger, I just didn't start taking progress pics right away.

I do have loose skin. It's low and can be hidden by pants/bikini bottom/ect. It looks like a balloon that has lost all it's air.

I'm a little taller than you at 5'4.5". I did last year get down to 122 lbs and didn't have a lot of abdominal definition. I believe that is because I didn't have a lot of muscle mass and I will need to do a few bulk/cut cycles to add the mass I want. My stomach was fairly flat though.

Edit: Oh and I have had 2 Kids (2011 & 2014). Both were c-sections.
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10257157/c-section-mom-of-2-my-progress-over-the-past-couple-years-lots-of-pics/p1

sgt1372

brendacs21 wrote: »

A friend of mine insists that the stomach once its big cannot be flat or have a six pack ever no matter what you do, unless there is surgery involved. Although it is not my goal (yes I want to reduce my fat in that area) is that true?

No, it's not true.

A year ago I was 65, 196# w/a 38" waist at +20%BF (probably +25 but didn't measure it at the time) w/a pot belly and obviously no visible abs.

I`m 66 now, 157# w/a 33" waist at 10%BF (measured hydrostatically) w/a flat belly and defined 6 pack along w/a lot of other muscle development and definition.

Achieved this by means of a controlled low cal & high protein diet together w/a progressive lifting program and coordinated cardio, calesthenics and crossfit exercises.