you can't lose stomach fat if you don't eat "clean"?

stefaniemazz

A lot of people say "abs are made in the kitchen"

Does that mean, eating a deficit? Or does that mean I have to eat super clean in order to see any definition in my abs?

I relatively healthy, but I don't eat "clean".

teisha98

I would love the answer to that as well....

webdevsoup

As with anything, muscle definition is made by exercise. Any loss is going to come from exercise and eating properly. Does this mean eating clean? I, personally, don't think so. If you can manage what you eat, and just eat healthy, workout and exercise the muscle groups you are going for, then you'll be fine. From my nutritionist: Higher Quality Foods are better than quantity of calories. Don't eat junk to achieve your calories, in other words. Eat 3 cups of lettuce and 5 oz of Chicken instead of a premade meal. You dig?

Of course, if you cut out unhealthy fats, and complex carbs, etc, it'll happen quicker.

(this is my personal feelings, and comes from no research done at the time of the question, only the knowledge I've been taught from the material I have read, classes I've attended, and nutritionists I've spoken with.)

inktink

I've wondered the same. I've seen people eat tons of junk and have an 8-pack, and I've seen people eat nothing but the most natural foods and still have a flabby belly. Maybe it's genetic fortune/misfortune for those and the masses really do need to eat clean? I don't know.. looking forward to responses from others!

Huffdogg

A lot of people say "abs are made in the kitchen"

Does that mean, eating a deficit? Or does that mean I have to eat super clean in order to see any definition in my abs?

I relatively healthy, but I don't eat "clean".

Deficit

You can have as much muscle as you like, but can't reveal it if it's covered in fat.

Do resistance training with progressive loading to build muscle.
Cut bodyfat to let the muscle show.
Repeat until fabulous.

nomeejerome

Calorie deficit=weight loss (and this can be done with all types of foods)
Exercise=fitness

A medical reason is the only reason you should eliminate any items from your intake.

besaro

uh oh

LongIsland27itl

Deficit.

auddii

It means you get them by eating at a deficit. Abs show up at lower bf%, which means you need to lose fat. However, there are different factors as well, such as how big your ab muscles are, genetics of where you lose/hold fat, etc. In theory, anyone could have visible abs, but you may not like the lifestyle you'd have to maintain to see them (for example, if your muscles are small and you retain fat in your stomach you may need very low bf% to see them).

That said, a lot of people who eat "clean" (however they define it) tend to eat a lot of foods that are not calorie dense, and so find it easier to stay within a calorie deficit. It may help some people, but not required.

GauchoMark

it is two parts:

1) no matter how much ab work you do, you won't be able to see them until your body fat % gets fairly low. That is done by maintaining a caloric deficit.

2) Not as big of a deal as 1, but certain food can cause water retention which can make you appear a little pudgy. However, if your %BF is low, your abs will still show, they just won't be quite as defined.

"clean" diet has very little to do with it, honestly. But it is easier to keep water under control and keep a caloric deficit when you aren't eating a lot of junk food.

rkquade

I would say eating clean most of the time with the right workout program to build muscle while burning fat. I have never had a "six pack", but since I've been following a macro based diet the last 2 months, I now see definition in my abs that I haven't seen in years. I aim for 80%+ clean foods that fit into my macros. Good luck.

mccindy72

A lot of people say "abs are made in the kitchen"

Does that mean, eating a deficit? Or does that mean I have to eat super clean in order to see any definition in my abs?

I relatively healthy, but I don't eat "clean".

As long as you are eating at a calorie deficit, you will lose fat. And if you want definition in your abs, you will need to do some core work. Eating "clean" - if you mean not eating certain foods, it really doesn't matter for weight loss, as long as you are eating at a deficit.

cfredz

I would say eating clean most of the time with the right workout program to build muscle while burning fat. I have never had a "six pack", but since I've been following a macro based diet the last 2 months, I now see definition in my abs that I haven't seen in years. I aim for 80%+ clean foods that fit into my macros. Good luck.

same! i never saw definition in my abs until i changed my diet

Lesa_Sass

MY PERSONAL experience is to cut back on carbs, not just eat clean. No alcohol, period and most all of my sugar came from fruit or vegetables when I took this picture. (I am 45 bu the way)

I am a clean eater due to an auto immune disease I have, if I eat processed, refined or chemically laden foods, I have pain levels off the charts. But I think I look better now than I have for the last 15 years.

Vonwarr

They mean eating at a deficit. You don't need to eat "clean" to lose weight as long as you maintain a deficit.

jasonpclement

For many people, eating clean implies eating at a deficit. But no, the quality of your food is definitally going to take a back seat to your first and foremost (calories), second-most (carbs, fats, protein targets), and then maybe.... quality comes in.

I'm not advocating IIFYM. I personally find it more satisfying to eat a lot of your stereotypical health foods while staying within calorie and macro limits. That said... I personally don't think it matters much. If you can eat poptarts and feel satisfied... and just occasionally get in some natural foods to get your vitamins... I think you'll be just fine

J72FIT

Deficit...

Abs are made in the gym... they are revealed in the kitchen.

stefaniemazz

Can someone look at my diary from yesterday and tell me if that looks good, food wise.

And thanks for the answers!

rockmama72

Only ab work will get you definition in your abs, and you still need to do your cardio and eat fewer calories in order to lose the fat. But you need to eat a good, healthy diet with protein and fruits and vegetables for optimal progress. Learn to cook and your weight loss will be so much easier.

ayalowich

Part of me would say 'a lot of people are' are wrong but that is an oversimplification. I'm in my mid 50's and my abs are really solid when they never have been before. I'm eating less, and have lost a good amount of weight but I believe this has come from planks. push ups, ab work and harder running. Getting more fit means i can workout longer and get more results.

I don't even know exactly what eating 'clean' means but other than taking in less calories, I haven't really cut anything out of my diet. I still eat fries once or twice a month, rice several times a week, peanut butter when I have a craving etc..

I'd say the exercise and hard work in the gym and on the road have been the keys personally.

A lot of people say "abs are made in the kitchen"

Does that mean, eating a deficit? Or does that mean I have to eat super clean in order to see any definition in my abs?

I relatively healthy, but I don't eat "clean".

usmcmp

it is two parts:

1) no matter how much ab work you do, you won't be able to see them until your body fat % gets fairly low. That is done by maintaining a caloric deficit.

2) Not as big of a deal as 1, but certain food can cause water retention which can make you appear a little pudgy. However, if your %BF is low, your abs will still show, they just won't be quite as defined.

"clean" diet has very little to do with it, honestly. But it is easier to keep water under control and keep a caloric deficit when you aren't eating a lot of junk food.

This.

1. Calorie deficit.
2. Reducing water retention.
3. It is easier to stick to an appropriate deficit when you eat cleaner because the foods will be more filling.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1161603-so-you-want-a-nice-stomach

rexiecatmeow

i disagree w that statement. i do not eat clean and i have a pretty flat stomach especially for having 3 kids ...i do try to make healthy choices but never "clean eating".

4daluvof_candice

Calorie deficit=weight loss (and this can be done with all types of foods)
Exercise=fitness

A medical reason is the only reason you should eliminate any items from your intake.

for the 135th time:noway:

christinemadden0223

"clean" diet has very little to do with it, honestly. But it is easier to keep water under control and keep a caloric deficit when you aren't eating a lot of junk food.

Well put. I lost a lot of weight eating at a deficit but lots of processed food and some days you could see my abs, and some days I was so bloated you couldn't. Likewise, I lost a tiny bit of weight eating mostly fruits, veggies and lean meats and my abs looked flatter anyways because I wasn't all puffed up
Your best bet? Try to eat healthy foods, add "treats" and things you can't live without in moderation while still eating at a deficit, add some cardio to help get rid of fat and add some lifting to define muscle. Good luck!

LaurenAOK

In my experience, it means eating at a deficit. I have never been super ripped, but when I was at my ideal weight I could definitely see some ab definition and I didn't eat "clean" at all. Now, I do believe that people who eat "clean" may have an easier time seeing stomach definition, and my see those results faster than those of us who just eat whatever the heck we want. But it CAN be done no matter how you eat.

Ab definition comes from having a low body fat percentage - period. How do you lose fat? You eat at a deficit (granted, not too big of a deficit, or you're risking losing muscle as well). But as long as you are burning fat effectively by creating a small calorie deficit and working out, your'e going to lose stomach fat and start to see dem abs.

Huffdogg

It should probably be stated that despite the fact that you don't need to eat "clean" (man, I hate that term), you do need to pay attention to macronutrient ratios while maintaining a deficit in order to preserve lean muscle while you chip away at fat stores.

A lot of the reason people advocate "clean eating" is because it's generally easier to fit you macronutrient ratios into your calorie budget when you eat more whole foods. Restaurant food is notoriously difficult to track macros with, and "junk food" will usually have loads of carbs and fat with very little protein and be very calorie-rich.

Given that a fairly high protein intake and lower overall calories are what you're going to end up wanting to shoot for, it makes the junk food an easy thing to cut out. That having been said, I regularly save room in by diet for cheeseburgers, fries, ice cream, etc as long as they fit within my calorie total for the day and my macronutrient goals.

GauchoMark

btw, as a side topic, stomach fat is the last to go for a lot of people, especially men, but some women too. So, you may have to wait until the fat is gone everywhere else then the abs will start coming in quickly.

TavistockToad

Can someone look at my diary from yesterday and tell me if that looks good, food wise.

And thanks for the answers!

you're pretty far under your goal, especially as you worked out, but it looks fine other than that.

Sabine_Stroehm

Calorie deficit=weight loss (and this can be done with all types of foods)
Exercise=fitness

A medical reason is the only reason you should eliminate any items from your intake.

I agree, however... A medical reason is the only reason you must.
You decide if you want to eliminate items. That's a personal decision, based on many factors.

Banya7

MY PERSONAL experience is to cut back on carbs, not just eat clean. No alcohol, period and most all of my sugar came from fruit or vegetables when I took this picture. (I am 45 bu the way)

I am a clean eater due to an auto immune disease I have, if I eat processed, refined or chemically laden foods, I have pain levels off the charts. But I think I look better now than I have for the last 15 years.

Wow! That's awesome! You look amazing and by cutting out the things you don't need in your system. Albeit the reason was intense pain but maybe that was your body telling you something. Good for you! Very inspirational. :happy:

LINIA

The answer is in what do you want to be visible, fat loves to cover muscle---- based on your own body, how much muscle do you want to be prominent and easy to see? Stomach fat is oretty stubborn.

Even extreme bodybuilders have to eat very clean, this is a personal answer that you must decide for yourself.

Many people are a fantastic weight on the scale but that may not be enough for you. All the best????????????