Is it time for abs yet?

paulcenso
paulcenso Posts: 55 Member
edited November 25 in Fitness and Exercise
I've been overweight since a young age. In the past 100 days I've lost roughly 50 lbs and 11% body fat. I'm now down to 181 lbs and 13% body fat. I was wondering when would be a good time to start doing some sit-ups and push-ups so I can get some ab definition and not just push out the fat like I did in my last go around with weight loss. I haven't been working out just changed my diet to all protein. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
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Replies

  • paulcenso
    paulcenso Posts: 55 Member
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  • pondee629
    pondee629 Posts: 2,469 Member
    " I haven't been working out just changed my diet to all protein. Any help is appreciated."

    A BALANCED diet and BALANCED exercise program is usually a good idea. Why are you waiting to start?
  • JustMissTracy
    JustMissTracy Posts: 6,338 Member
    Yup, start now! You've lost enough fat that you'll probably be able to see definition in no time..great job on your weightloss ~
  • NCSteveVH
    NCSteveVH Posts: 85 Member
    Congratulations on weight and BF loss! As far as trying to have some abs show, 90% of it will be making sure you keep up with a strict nutrition plan (and an "all protein diet" is not recommended). Doing sit-ups and push ups won't make a huge difference. But even though it's mostly about nutrition, you should also start incorporating deadlifts, squats, OH presses and other lifts that work your core. Along with spot-on nutrition, it will help with building core and abs -- much more than sit-ups will do. As a reference point, I also lost 50 lbs, am at 181 pounds now, and was just measured by a BodPod at 13.1% BF. My abs show fairly well (actually better than in my profile pic), so it's not all about a number. If visable abs are your goal, focus on nutrition and be patient. It takes time and dedication.
  • yusaku02
    yusaku02 Posts: 3,472 Member
    You need to drop your body fat % more if you want abs. From your picture you look somewhere in the 15-20% range.
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    Yea, I don't think that you are 13% based on that pic. Who cares though? You look to just be on the cusp of seeing some definition. Keep eating at a slight deficit and strength train (assume you already are) and you should see definition in a few weeks. Great work so far.
  • rainbowbow
    rainbowbow Posts: 7,490 Member
    You look like you're in the 15+% body fat.

    In addition to starting an overall strength training plan you will need to drop more body fat. You DO have abdominal muscles right now, although you may want to focus on a bulk cycle once you drop down enough to see what muscle mass you're working with.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    Good time to start working out was 100 days ago.

    Great progress to date but as you get leaner you need to work harder to preserve your muscle mass. Small deficit and train hard while you lose your last ten pounds.
  • paulcenso
    paulcenso Posts: 55 Member
    Thanks everybody for the responses. The body fat correction is a bit of a bummer. I was measured at 13% body fat but I suppose the fancy scanner machine at the nutrition club is wrong.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    paulcenso wrote: »
    Thanks everybody for the responses. The body fat correction is a bit of a bummer. I was measured at 13% body fat but I suppose the fancy scanner machine at the nutrition club is wrong.

    They can be OK for tracking trends (if used under same consistent conditions - especially hydration levels) but actual accuracy is a lottery.
    I've got some that tell me I'm 30%.
  • paulcenso
    paulcenso Posts: 55 Member
    sijomial wrote: »
    paulcenso wrote: »
    Thanks everybody for the responses. The body fat correction is a bit of a bummer. I was measured at 13% body fat but I suppose the fancy scanner machine at the nutrition club is wrong.

    They can be OK for tracking trends (if used under same consistent conditions - especially hydration levels) but actual accuracy is a lottery.
    I've got some that tell me I'm 30%.

    That makes sense. I've been doing a health eval on the same machine ever Monday since day 1 and I was supposedly 24% body fat then.
  • hill8570
    hill8570 Posts: 1,466 Member
    Personally, I'd recommend a full-body lifting program starting ASAP. Looking at your build, you've got the potential to be pretty ripped once you get the BF down some more, but given the extreme cut you're currently on you're going to be losing a lot of muscle mass if you don't stimulate it enough to keep it spared. Might want to consider incorporating some good carbs (i.e., fresh veggies) into the mix, too.
  • auddii
    auddii Posts: 15,357 Member
    hill8570 wrote: »
    Personally, I'd recommend a full-body lifting program starting ASAP. Looking at your build, you've got the potential to be pretty ripped once you get the BF down some more, but given the extreme cut you're currently on you're going to be losing a lot of muscle mass if you don't stimulate it enough to keep it spared. Might want to consider incorporating some good carbs (i.e., fresh veggies) into the mix, too.

    This. No reason to focus just on abs; you'll hit them if you do a full body routine with compound lifts.
  • paulcenso
    paulcenso Posts: 55 Member
    hill8570 wrote: »
    Personally, I'd recommend a full-body lifting program starting ASAP. Looking at your build, you've got the potential to be pretty ripped once you get the BF down some more, but given the extreme cut you're currently on you're going to be losing a lot of muscle mass if you don't stimulate it enough to keep it spared. Might want to consider incorporating some good carbs (i.e., fresh veggies) into the mix, too.

    Thanks I'll give
    It a run.
  • MostlyWater
    MostlyWater Posts: 4,294 Member
    It's always time for abs !!!!!
  • _Bropollo_
    _Bropollo_ Posts: 168 Member
    Core strength is never a bad thing. Start yesterday. If your goal was to have ab definition however, that is 90% from a low bodyfat level. For guys, you need to be at least 12% bodyfat or lower to have visibly separated ab muscles.
  • joshuajdouce
    joshuajdouce Posts: 70 Member
    edited October 2015
    I was literally exactly the same as you I now have decent abs. Keep your diet good. high protein, don't be afraid of fat.

    A good tip I got is adjust your sliders on MFP increase your protein to roughly 1g per pound and reduce the carbs as the sliders on MFP at default are not good for what you want to achieve.

    Also, starting lifting like others have said you want to be hitting compound moves use a variety of muscle groups will do wonders. Moves like deadlift, cleans, squats etc lots of info out their on them moves.

    Hope those abs start showing soon! Good luck
  • middlehaitch
    middlehaitch Posts: 8,486 Member
    Hi @paulcenso just thought I would pop in and say hi to you. You are looking great. Do what the fine folk above have recommended. Starting a good progressive compound lifting routine now will work wonders for you.
    Fuel your burn!

    Cheers, h.
  • paulcenso
    paulcenso Posts: 55 Member
    I was literally exactly the same as you I now have decent abs. Keep your diet good. high protein, don't be afraid of fat.

    A good tip I got is adjust your sliders on MFP increase your protein to roughly 1g per pound and reduce the carbs as the sliders on MFP at default are not good for what you want to achieve.

    Also, starting lifting like others have said you want to be hitting compound moves use a variety of muscle groups will do wonders. Moves like deadlift, cleans, squats etc lots of info out their on them moves.

    Hope those abs start showing soon! Good luck

    What weight did you start at? I don't plan on slowing down anytime soon!
  • paulcenso
    paulcenso Posts: 55 Member
    Hi @paulcenso just thought I would pop in and say hi to you. You are looking great. Do what the fine folk above have recommended. Starting a good progressive compound lifting routine now will work wonders for you.
    Fuel your burn!

    Cheers, h.

    Thank you I appreciate that
  • joshuajdouce
    joshuajdouce Posts: 70 Member
    Hey @paulcenso I started at roughly 14stone and im 6ft. I'm now 11st 4 and I'm still not my goal of 10% Body fat but the abs are coming through nicely. Compounds exercises have worked wonders for me. Add me if you like keep me posted
  • paulcenso
    paulcenso Posts: 55 Member
    Hey @paulcenso I started at roughly 14stone and im 6ft. I'm now 11st 4 and I'm still not my goal of 10% Body fat but the abs are coming through nicely. Compounds exercises have worked wonders for me. Add me if you like keep me posted

    thats a good transformation! ive lost about 50 lbs and just wish some definition would show. sitting down without a shirt on is discouraging.
  • joshuajdouce
    joshuajdouce Posts: 70 Member
    50lbs lost that's awesome too! Just stick at and start lifting those weights and you'll have abs and more!
  • paulcenso
    paulcenso Posts: 55 Member
    50lbs lost that's awesome too! Just stick at and start lifting those weights and you'll have abs and more!

    Thanks man. Should go well
  • paulcenso
    paulcenso Posts: 55 Member
    Does anyone ever feel like they did horrible this week and then weigh in and find out you did good? Weekly issue for me.
  • Sued0nim
    Sued0nim Posts: 17,456 Member
    edited October 2015
    You look great

    Started lifting or eating real food yet?
  • paulcenso
    paulcenso Posts: 55 Member
    rabbitjb wrote: »
    You look great

    Started lifting or eating real food yet?

    No mam not yet. I'm on too tight of a work schedule to make any drastic changes at the moment
  • paulcenso
    paulcenso Posts: 55 Member
    50lbs lost that's awesome too! Just stick at and start lifting those weights and you'll have abs and more!

    I just weighed in at 177 and they say 12.7% body fat. But the people on my fitness pal are saying I look like in 15% so i dunno man.
  • 3bambi3
    3bambi3 Posts: 1,650 Member
    Why are you only eating 1200 calories?
This discussion has been closed.