questions about muscles...

0somuchbetter0

I had a one-hour strength training session with my trainer this morning and he was commenting that while I'm pretty strong in every other area, my lower abs are still pretty weak. I wonder if it's because I had two pregnancies followed by two c-sections? The second one was seven years ago. Can muscles fully recover from being completely severed (twice), or is that always going to be a weak spot for me?

Also, I was talking to a couple of women in the gym and they were comparing their weights. Our height-to-weight ratios were all different, as expected, but the variance got me thinking. I'm 5'3" and 182 lbs and wear a size 14. One of them is 5'6" and 250 lbs and wears a size 30. When I was 250 lbs (my highest ever), I was a size 22. In fact more than once people commented that I was heavier than I looked. The other woman is 5'2" and 196 lbs and wears a 22. Body composition, of course...but does it really vary that much? Also, when I was in college, my roommate and I were the same height and size, but I was consistently 10 lbs heavier than she was. Could I just be naturally "dense?" Is that even a thing?

AllanMisner

If you have weak lower abs, I'd be willing to bet that you have an office job and sit for extended periods of time. Muscles do heal over time but only to the point where they are forced to adapt.

Yes, muscle is much tighter, yet heavier. So, you probably carry more muscle mass than the other woman does. Also, some people store fat differently (pear shape, apple shape, etc.). So, depending on how clothes are cut, there can be significant variations in women's sizes, even for women that weight the same.

0somuchbetter0

Thanks for the reply! So if I force my lower abs to adapt, I can strengthen them despite my c-sections. Yes, my work requires me to sit at a desk for hours every day.

I know body types and shapes vary greatly, I was more surprised at the weight differences, since the 5'6" 250lb woman is MUCH bigger than I ever was...

0somuchbetter0

bumping for more opinions

gigglybeth

About body composition- yes it varies that much! I haven't lost any significant amount of weight on the scale for a depressingly long time, but since I've been working with weights I've dropped a size. Have you ever looked at mybodygallery.com ? It's shocking to see how people even at the same height and weight vary in body composition.

Cherimoose

I had a one-hour strength training session with my trainer this morning and he was commenting that while I'm pretty strong in every other area, my lower abs are still pretty weak.

I'm curious to hear how he's determining that.

0somuchbetter0

Just that I do well at every challenge he throws at me -- often better than he expects, but anything involving lower abs I can't do -- TRX planks especially.

0somuchbetter0

About body composition- yes it varies that much! I haven't lost any significant amount of weight on the scale for a depressingly long time, but since I've been working with weights I've dropped a size. Have you ever looked at mybodygallery.com ? It's shocking to see how people even at the same height and weight vary in body composition.

I haven't but I will -- thanks!

Cherimoose

Just that I do well at every challenge he throws at me -- often better than he expects, but anything involving lower abs I can't do -- TRX planks especially.

What do you mean you can't? You mean you can't hold it for a long time? Or that you have poor form (butt arches backwards)?
Planks actually work your obliques (along the sides) more than your lower abs.. that's why i'm asking.

0somuchbetter0

Just that I do well at every challenge he throws at me -- often better than he expects, but anything involving lower abs I can't do -- TRX planks especially.

What do you mean you can't? You mean you can't hold it for a long time? Or that you have poor form (butt arches backwards)?
Planks actually work your obliques (along the sides) more than your lower abs.. that's why i'm asking.

I didn't realize you wanted a detailed explanation. It's the kind where you're in the TRX thing, suspended by your feet, facing down, hands in position like for a plank or a push-up. The motion is like you would do with a wheel, only instead of your hands moving, it's your feet. Not only could I not hold the basic plank position for even a second, I couldn't do a "pike" motion without falling over. I also can't lie on my back and lift my feet off the floor for more than a couple of seconds. I also can't do more than two or three "reverse crunches." I can't hold a plank for more than a few seconds, my lower belly (which, granted, is rather large) feels like it's made of lead. It's like I'm weak as a kitten when I do those exercises. But I'm strong everywhere else. That's why I thought of my c-sections. If you think it's something else I'd love to know...?

Cherimoose

But I'm strong everywhere else.

How much do you deadlift and squat?

And how long have you been training abs consistently for?

0somuchbetter0

But I'm strong everywhere else.

How much do you deadlift and squat?

And how long have you been training abs consistently for?

Deadlift 90lbs, squat 60 lbs. not very consistent w abs bc I hate working on them

Shawshankcan

In terms of people being difference sizes but weighing the same, perhaps this picture will help you

0somuchbetter0

I've seen that pic before but I guess I never really thought about it in terms of how, say, 100 lbs of excess weight can look on different people according to body composition. Amazing!

Cherimoose

Deadlift 90lbs, squat 60 lbs. not very consistent w abs bc I hate working on them

I don't care for ab exercises too. Fortunately they're not as important as exercises like deadlifts & squats, which are more functional. The heavier you DL & squat, the stronger your core (and the rest of you) will become. But if you want to improve at those ab exercises, you'll need to do them more regularly (1-2x week). A c-section could theoretically weaken the lower abs, but in your case, it's probably mostly from a lack of training them regularly, and carrying excess weight.

0somuchbetter0

Deadlift 90lbs, squat 60 lbs. not very consistent w abs bc I hate working on them

I don't care for ab exercises too. Fortunately they're not as important as exercises like deadlifts & squats, which are more functional. The heavier you DL & squat, the stronger your core (and the rest of you) will become. But if you want to improve at those ab exercises, you'll need to do them more regularly (1-2x week). A c-section could theoretically weaken the lower abs, but in your case, it's probably mostly from a lack of training them regularly, and carrying excess weight.

Thank you for your input. I'll keep working on them. I do love getting stronger! Makes me feel badass. :smokin: