The illusive 6 pack

Just throwing out there that some of us that were rather large and are a bit older have to deal with loose skin that can make it harder to achieve. Not sure where the OP falls in that category.

sgt1372 wrote: »

rybo wrote: »

But see, that's my point. Everyone still gives the standard "caloric deficit and lift weights" answer, but no one tells you about how to handle the meticulous meal prep, balancing hormones & hunger, and the little things that go along. Then people get frustrated because they think the answer is so simple and they beat themselves up because they can't get there. Where as if they had the full understanding of just how difficult it can be from most people to get there and even more so to maintain, they might set a more realistic approach.

Seems like you have that understanding now.

It's easy to figure out what you need to do and hard for most of us to implement it. You can easily find out what to do and how to do it on the Net. That's where I found the info I use. However, no one can tell you what will work for you. You have to figure it out yourself.

I'm a contrarian by nature and chose a path that most people discourage (mostly because of myth and group think IMO) but it has worked for me - - more by luck than design. However, truth be told, developing abs were the LAST thing on my mind.

My objective was simply to lose weight/fat and gain strength. I achieved that and the bonus prize was the ab definition. So, perhaps, if you don't focus on the abs so much, you might become less frustrated and achieve them in the process as did I

Good luck!

Oh, I've never made my focus ripped abs. Occasionally I'll ponder taking a couple months and buckling down to get there, but I never do. I have visible abs, especially flexed & in good lighting, but I have no desire to put in the effort required to get as lean as I'd need to be to really make them pop.

boxa00 wrote: »

Ok so I agree with everything you guys have said and my goal is not just to have abs. It is to be in good shape healthy all round.

But I'm confused.

"Calorie deficit and gain muscle lift weights"

I'm in my early 30s and I have been training on and off for at least 10years. This has always puzzled me however I have never asked till now.

Calorie deficit means your loosing weight and muscle with it. Gaining muscle by lifting weights means you need protein and lots of it which equals high calories.

To me the two contradict themselves.

So what comes first cutting then bulking or bulking then cutting. ??

My abs show slightly And so do my obliques and I reckon I need to loose 4-5kg (8-10pounds) for them to show. The muscles are there you just can't see them.

Calorie deficits don't mean muscle loss, especially if you are fairly lean and have adequate nutrition. You have a large opportunity, that with an adequate training stimulus and nutrition (largely protein), that you can maintain the muscle you have and largely lose just fat (probably good for step 1). If you get leaner and would like to add mass, then you can bulk. But as a male, you will probably also gain fat. At the end of your bulk, you cut back down to get rid of fat. Or once you get lean, you move to maintenance, still have a good training program and hope to see some muscle gains in maintenance. While slower, it's more adequate for some people who like to stay lean. @Hornsby is a great example of this.


ETA: Generally those who are more likely to lose muscle during a deficit, are those without good training, poor nutrition or just have a ton to lose. And there are even opportunities to gain muscle while losing weight.

rybo wrote: »

I love how overly simplified the advice for getting abs is. If it was really that easy so many more people would be walking around with 6 packs.

simple =/= easy