Anyone else looking to get a six pack?

emilygray7165

So i'm about 5 foot 4 and around 125 lbs and i do about 200 sit ups a night (plus other muscle training exercises) and i jog every day for 1-2 miles depending on what other cardio i've done throughout the day. I'm trying so desperately to get my six pack to come through but so far, no luck. Is it to do with what i'm eating maybe? I try not to go over 1200 cals a day, but i eat more when i exercise, and i'm a vegetarian but i try to get as much protein as i can from nuts, eggs, quorn etc.
Basically, anyone got any advice on how to get awesome abs? Would be greatly appreciated!

Kupe

Lift Heavy. Running does not reduce body fat %, weight training does.

emilygray7165

I've heard loads of people say that everyone has abs, they're just hidden under a layer of fat, and you have to do cardio to get rid of that?

JesterMFP

You don't need to do 200 situps a day. You need to lose more fat, while maintaining as much of the muscle you have right now as possible. I would eat more (find out your TDEE (total daily energy expenditure) and get closer to that) while doing more varied strength training. Do compound lifts like squats, deadlifts and bench presses. Lift as heavy as you can. Look into programmes like the New Rules of Lifting For Women (a book), or Stronglifts 5x5 (free on the internet). They will work your core too.

You also don't need to do any cardio at all (although it's very beneficial for general health & fitness). Too much cardio, especially if you don't eat enough to compensate for calories burn, will just risk losing too much lean mass. Calorie deficit, heavy lifting and patience is what you need.

Check out these groups while you're at it:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/10118-eat-train-progress
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/771-women-strength-training
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/4601-stronglifts-5x5-for-women

iWaffle

Lift Heavy. Running does not reduce body fat %, weight training does.

Incorrect! Nutrition and a calorie deficit reduces body fat.

Lifting is a necessity if you want to have an amazing looking body however just lifting will not give you a six pack. Just cardio will not give you results. If you're serious you need a plan that incorporates all 3. Nutrition, strength training, light cardio. That's the magic bullet and by magic I mean the correct plan. Nothing magical about it. You need to work for this to happen.

timeasterday

I've heard loads of people say that everyone has abs, they're just hidden under a layer of fat, and you have to do cardio to get rid of that?

I think it's mostly a diet thing, but I'm no expert. A well-rounded exercise plan consisting of strength training, specific core work, and some sort of cardio type stuff, along with a sensible diet is probably the best course of action. Doing situps endlessly is not going to get you there.

DavPul

You're going to have to get really lean while retaining as much muscle mass as possible.

Rx: Strength training and calorie deficit.