do I need a lot of protein for a flat stomach?

christinelast
christinelast Posts: 76
in Health and Weight Loss
I've been wondering since I never seem to hit enough protein.

Replies

  • Aaron_K123
    Aaron_K123 Posts: 7,122 Member
    I've been wondering since I never seem to hit enough protein.

    You need a lot of protein and a lot of calories to support heavy-lifting to build the muscle that will make you look lean and taut once you lose enough fat to see the underlying muscle.

    So in that way yes. That said just eating lots of protein alone won't do anything other than give you more calories.

    Are you trying to build muscle or lose fat?
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    Protein can help preserve lean mass, which means you have to lose less weight in the long run. Lifting also helps preserve lean mass.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1161603-so-you-want-a-nice-stomach
  • christinelast
    christinelast Posts: 76
    I've been wondering since I never seem to hit enough protein.

    You need a lot of protein and a lot of calories to support heavy-lifting to build the muscle that will make you look lean and taut once you lose enough fat to see the underlying muscle.

    So in that way yes. That said just eating lots of protein alone won't do anything other than give you more calories.

    Are you trying to build muscle or lose fat?

    Trying to lose the fat on my stomach only
  • xDawnsgrace
    xDawnsgrace Posts: 436
    I've been wondering since I never seem to hit enough protein.

    You need a lot of protein and a lot of calories to support heavy-lifting to build the muscle that will make you look lean and taut once you lose enough fat to see the underlying muscle.

    So in that way yes. That said just eating lots of protein alone won't do anything other than give you more calories.

    Are you trying to build muscle or lose fat?

    Trying to lose the fat on my stomach only

    friend you can't spot reduce.
  • TriShamelessly
    TriShamelessly Posts: 905 Member
    I've been wondering since I never seem to hit enough protein.

    You need a lot of protein and a lot of calories to support heavy-lifting to build the muscle that will make you look lean and taut once you lose enough fat to see the underlying muscle.

    So in that way yes. That said just eating lots of protein alone won't do anything other than give you more calories.

    Are you trying to build muscle or lose fat?


    Trying to lose the fat on my stomach only

    Can't be done! There is no spot reduction. Need low overall body fat to get a six-pack.
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    I've been wondering since I never seem to hit enough protein.

    You need a lot of protein and a lot of calories to support heavy-lifting to build the muscle that will make you look lean and taut once you lose enough fat to see the underlying muscle.

    So in that way yes. That said just eating lots of protein alone won't do anything other than give you more calories.

    Are you trying to build muscle or lose fat?

    Trying to lose the fat on my stomach only

    Impossible. Can't spot reduce. Losing fat is like trying to dry a sponge. Can't dry a corner when the rest is still wet. Your body decides where to burn it and there is no food or exercise that will make your body use up stomach fat first.
  • christinelast
    christinelast Posts: 76
    I kno but ifi still have fat only on the stomach should I still continue a small deficit?
  • christinelast
    christinelast Posts: 76
    Aaron seems to say to bulk. I don't want six pack
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    Aaron seems to say to bulk. I don't want six pack

    He didn't tell you to bulk. He said to start lifting heavy. The key to having a six pack is having low body fat and flexing. If you don't want a six pack don't flex. Heavy lifting will help you reach your goals, it will not make you bulky.
  • christinelast
    christinelast Posts: 76
    So heavy lifting will give one a flat stomach?
  • christinelast
    christinelast Posts: 76
    And what does protein do?
  • Aaron_K123
    Aaron_K123 Posts: 7,122 Member
    And what does protein do?

    Sufficient protein is required to maintain or build muscle. At a caloric surplus you can build muscle, at caloric deficit you can only really maintain your muscle. General advice is 0.8g of protein per pound of lean mass.
  • Aaron_K123
    Aaron_K123 Posts: 7,122 Member
    So heavy lifting will give one a flat stomach?

    If you stick with it and you lower your bodyfat sufficiently in theory yes. I mean you can check usmcmp's pics, clearly worked for her.
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    So heavy lifting will give one a flat stomach?
    And what does protein do?

    I already answered both of these. Protein and lifting help you retain muscle which means you have to lose less weight in the long run. Either way if your body fat is high you will have to lose fat to have a flat stomach. If you are at a normal weight then heavy lifting is going to be very important. The most important factor is being patient.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1161603-so-you-want-a-nice-stomach
  • corgarian
    corgarian Posts: 366 Member
    So heavy lifting will give one a flat stomach?
    it will help
  • luckydays27
    luckydays27 Posts: 552 Member
    If you have fat on your stomach, you have fat on the rest of your body. There is no way to spot reduce. Fat comes and goes where it wants and you have to eat a calorie deficit and get some strength training in (to not lose as much muscle) and eventually, after a very slow process, some of the fat will go away. On your entire body, including your stomach.
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    So heavy lifting will give one a flat stomach?

    If you stick with it and you lower your bodyfat sufficiently in theory yes. I mean you can check usmcmp's pics, clearly worked for her.

    :flowerforyou:

    To the OP: Don't think you will end up with a six pack or muscles like me. Those took YEARS of very hard work to build.
  • beardedwarriortx
    beardedwarriortx Posts: 238 Member
    Bets way I can tell anyone to build muscle and lose fat is to lift heavy was doing no more than 30 minutes of cardio a day. Do to much cardio and your just burning away the cals your body needs to build muscle. Now this works for me. Dont know how it works for others. This is also why most body builders do very little cardio during training season.
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1315028--you-were-right-flat-belly-nsv?hl=flat+belly+nsv#posts-20311265
  • alexis831
    alexis831 Posts: 469 Member
    Your stomach and 6 pack are made in the kitchen meaning your diet. Eat at a deficit. It has to come off eventually from your stomach. It just might come off other areas first and your stomach last. Keep doing weights they are important to keeping your muscle tone and will help hold everything together so you see results better. Plus they burn calories huge bonus. A good diet at a 500-calorie deficit, weights 3x a week, cardio 3x a week. That’s it. People just try and overcomplicate a very uncomplicated thing. Either that or they want an easy 30 day fix. That just isn't going to happen.
  • christinelast
    christinelast Posts: 76
    Can't I just do some cardio and ab workout? I don't think I'll continue lifting due to I do nt enjoy it
  • Aaron_K123
    Aaron_K123 Posts: 7,122 Member
    Can't I just do some cardio and ab workout? I don't think I'll continue lifting due to I do nt enjoy it

    Doing crunches and cardio will do surprisingly little for looking firm and taut. Yes you have to occasionally do things you do not like in order to achieve your goals.

    If we all got what we wanted by only doing the things we liked we wouldn't be in this mess.

    If I see someone with a stomach like usmscp or alexis I don't think crunches and treadmill I think deadlifts and squats. uscmp has the six pack, alexis just looks nice and toned but I bet they both lift.

    Apologies for creeping on you ladies ;-)
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    Can't I just do some cardio and ab workout? I don't think I'll continue lifting due to I do nt enjoy it

    Sounds like you probably won't take our advice no matter what. Keep doing what you are doing and come ask the same question in 6 months and get the same answers. There is more than one way to get a nice flat stomach, but it almost always involves resistance training (kettlebells, bands, free weights, crossfit, trx, etc.).

    ETA: I'm a female and I gave birth to two kids while I was obese. I'm not some random guy who has never had a weight problem. I never thought I would have a flat stomach, but I did it.
  • christinelast
    christinelast Posts: 76
    If I do give lifting another go, how long might it take to see some results? And does it need to be really heavy?
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    If I do give lifting another go, how long might it take to see some results? And does it need to be really heavy?

    As long as it takes and yes, it needs to challenge you or it won't change you.

    http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/8-reasons-women-should-lift-weights.html
    http://www.jcdfitness.com/2011/08/attention-women-heres-proof-that-lifting-heavy-weights-will-not-make-you-big-and-bulky/
    http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2013/09/11/7-strength-training-myths-every-woman-should-know/
  • albayin
    albayin Posts: 2,524 Member
    Can't I just do some cardio and ab workout? I don't think I'll continue lifting due to I do nt enjoy it

    Sounds like you probably won't take our advice no matter what. Keep doing what you are doing and come ask the same question in 6 months and get the same answers. There is more than one way to get a nice flat stomach, but it almost always involves resistance training (kettlebells, bands, free weights, crossfit, trx, etc.).

    ETA: I'm a female and I gave birth to two kids while I was obese. I'm not some random guy who has never had a weight problem. I never thought I would have a flat stomach, but I did it.

    you are so funny, marine lady...every time when you try to convince somebody with this stomach thing, you change back to your old avatar...:flowerforyou:
  • Aaron_K123
    Aaron_K123 Posts: 7,122 Member
    If I do give lifting another go, how long might it take to see some results? And does it need to be really heavy?

    Heavy is relative, it needs to challenge you and the weight you pick you should struggle to do 8 reps with. If you pick a weight you can just swing up and down 20 times it isn't going to do anything for you.
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    Can't I just do some cardio and ab workout? I don't think I'll continue lifting due to I do nt enjoy it

    Sounds like you probably won't take our advice no matter what. Keep doing what you are doing and come ask the same question in 6 months and get the same answers. There is more than one way to get a nice flat stomach, but it almost always involves resistance training (kettlebells, bands, free weights, crossfit, trx, etc.).

    ETA: I'm a female and I gave birth to two kids while I was obese. I'm not some random guy who has never had a weight problem. I never thought I would have a flat stomach, but I did it.

    you are so funny, marine lady...every time when you try to convince somebody with this stomach thing, you change back to your old avatar...:flowerforyou:

    You're right. People seem to believe it more when they see that the person has been successful. Granted, there's no head so it could be a fake (except that a corner of my tattoo is showing).
  • albayin
    albayin Posts: 2,524 Member
    :bigsmile:

Categories