Flat ab workouts for women?

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I'm trying to find workout that make the abs flatter instead of bigger, because I'm trying to get the slim look. It would need to be something that I can do at home, and heads up, I just started exercising again >< . Any suggestions? All are greatly appreciated :)

Replies

  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
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    I assume you are at a caloric deficit? If so, they won't get bigger.

    Eat right, do squats and dead lifts, be patient, eat right, be patient. It'll happen.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
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    Agree with above. "Flat abs" are a function of diet more than anything else. For most of us, the fat around the midsection is the last to go, so stay consistent and keep at it.
  • Jacwhite22
    Jacwhite22 Posts: 7,012 Member
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    I would try spanx.
  • secretlobster
    secretlobster Posts: 3,566 Member
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    For the stomach to get flat, you must lose the fat!

    It's all about diet.
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
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    I never do specific ab targeting exercises yet I have a pretty flat stomach. My genetics apparently dictate that my body stores it's excess fat (which I still have a good amount of) on my legs and not in my stomach. I do compound weight lifting with heavy (to me) weights. Squats and overhead press seem to work my core enough to give me the stomach muscles I want.

    Reducing body fat stores, wherever they might be, is done with a calorie deficit not specific targeting exercises.
  • wifeycrisp
    wifeycrisp Posts: 6 Member
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    None! Don't work out your abs! It's all in what you put in your body. Make sure you cut out the processed foods, cut out sugar and white breads/rice/pasta! and voila.
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
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    None! Don't work out your abs! It's all in what you put in your body. Make sure you cut out the processed foods, cut out sugar and white breads/rice/pasta! and voila.

    I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with that. No reason to make things overly complicated. I eat all those foods you listed on a regular basis and my stomach is flat.
  • Jacwhite22
    Jacwhite22 Posts: 7,012 Member
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    None! Don't work out your abs! It's all in what you put in your body. Make sure you cut out the processed foods, cut out sugar and white breads/rice/pasta! and voila.

    orlly? Its all about the big bad carbs?
  • TinkrBelz
    TinkrBelz Posts: 888 Member
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    Obviously, lose the fat. There...said it. But, I normally eat around 100 carbs/day. I do feel that this has helped me lose those last few pound of fat.

    But I have found that working my core, transverse abs, has pulled in my abs. I do planks and ab vacuums. Youtube ab vacuums. Now, I can not pull my abs in like those people can, but I sure do try! I have nice abs, but always felt that I looked puffy or bloated in my abs....doing these (along with losing some extra fat) has made my tummy nice and flat.

    Now, you may not see results right sway....having 6 kids, I think my transverse abs were shot. But, I can finally tell a difference in my ab vacuums!! I can pull them in a lot further now than when I first started.
  • mfpcopine
    mfpcopine Posts: 3,093 Member
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    Lose weight. Captain's Chair. Planks. Crunches.
  • _HeathBar_
    _HeathBar_ Posts: 902 Member
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    I would try spanx.

    x2
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
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    None! Don't work out your abs! It's all in what you put in your body. Make sure you cut out the processed foods, cut out sugar and white breads/rice/pasta! and voila.

    I disagree. No food or type of food = weight gain in specific areas. Nor does the absence of any food/type of food lead to spot reduction. Excess cals = weight gain, shortage of cals (deficit) = weight loss.

    Any food, given too much quantity, can and will lead to weight gain.
  • LoveActually
    LoveActually Posts: 177 Member
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    I was recently introduced to this site: http://randomabs.com/ it's great for gettin' in a quick ab workout at home.
  • LindaCWy
    LindaCWy Posts: 463 Member
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    Whoever mentioned spanx...needs a spank. SHAME!
  • kdiamond
    kdiamond Posts: 3,329 Member
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    My abs are flat and I eat plenty of sugar and carbs. I do mind my calorie intake though.

    The only true ab exercises I do are planks and medicine ball twists a couple of times a week. I get most of my core workout through deadlifts, squats, and lunges just as the other posters suggested.