whats a good body fat % for a flat stomach??

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kate205gti
kate205gti Posts: 84 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
i've been measuring my body fat % and body muscle % as well as my weight, my body fat % has gone down to 20.2 and my body muscle is going up (now 36.6) but i still dont have that elusive flat stomach! :frown: ive been searching and keep getting different answers about what % = flat tummy, can anyone tell me what I should be aiming for without doing any harm please? :smile:

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  • Lyadeia
    Lyadeia Posts: 4,603 Member
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    Female athletes range from 12% to 17% body fat. Obviously the lower you go, the flatter the stomach will appear. However, don't be fooled by pictures of 6-packs because they are not found in nature unless you restrict your body fat ultra low...even body builders typically gain stomach fat when they are not in training for a competition.

    My personal goal is 17% body fat. The lowest that I have ever been is 18% and it wasn't flat at that point. But, I was wearing loose size 6 and sometimes a 4. I just don't want to get skinnier than that, so if I get to that point again and still don't have those elusive flat abs, I have resolved myself to just love the way I look anyway cause I refuse to stress my body by trying to attain a goal that might not be in my health's best interest.
  • lulabellewoowoo
    lulabellewoowoo Posts: 3,125 Member
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    I'm not sure that there is a magic body fat% for flat stomachs. I really think it just depends on your problem area. For me, my stomach being flat was never my problem, but my thighs and hips. And it seemed like I had to lose ALOT of weight to get those to go away. But keep working at it. I did a lot of research on six-pack abs for women and all I read was that it just isn't the natural way women's abdomen muscles are set up because of being able to bear and birth children.

    Something you might try that helped me after babies was even sitting in the car or at the computer, holding in your stomach for ten seconds, breathing deeply, and letting go. It builds the muscle underneath and as the fat melts away it makes them strong. Also plank exercises.

    Keep going strong. You are doing great!
  • AngieBil
    AngieBil Posts: 28
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    I tend to agree with Lula (above) - there is no magic number, it all depends on your body type and the way you carry your weight. Some girls can get the 6-pack (with alot of work) other's can't! (I"m not talking about a female body-builder, just the average woman who works out to stay fit...) I had a baby less than a year ago and I almost have my flat tummy back, BUT you should see my butt and thighs!!! :| I carry no weight around my waist and all of it on my lower half, so flat tummy for me is not that hard to achieve, I don't need to be down to 17% body fat to get it, but yet, I don't think I could EVER reach skinny legs/bum. My friend is the opposite, she has the tiny-est legs, but she can not get the flat tummy, regardless of the many many ab workouts/situps she does.

    So, it's possible... but don't only look at the number, there is no magic number unless you get too low and get in the unhealthy ranges, which is not the answer.
  • shelled
    shelled Posts: 31
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    I've wanted a flat stomach my whole life, but unfortunately it is also the same area where I pile on the fat. I don't store much on my hips and behind, just predominantly on the stomach. So whenever I put on some weight, everyone starts thinking I'm pregnant!

    What I've been told all these years (by personal trainers, doctors, slimming specialists, nutritionists) is that in order to achieve a (relatively) flat stomach is to reduce body fat, and then train up the stomach muscles. Once there is less fat on the stomach/waist area, the pec muscles will be able to "show through" creating the look of 6 pecs.

    Hope this helps. :)

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