Trying to get my abs to start showing
Replies
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gym4life64 wrote: »But who would want to look like that kid?
Personally, I wouldn't but he was useful for making a point. Of course, I wouldn't want to look like the old obese me either...
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In the end, abs are dependent on low enough BF% but genetics and muscle base as well. For example I have been lower BF a few times and while I looked pretty lean and had definition, I never had a 6-pack or anything like that. I don't have the muscle base for them and probably never will. I am also female so I know it is harder for us. Perhaps if I had built them up with progressive weights while I was bulking, but it was not a goal of mine so I don't bother with it.
^^^^ THAT right there explains it0 -
gym4life64 wrote: »Ironandwine69 wrote: »Abs in guys are kind gay looking. I wogym4life64 wrote: »But who would want to look like that kid?
That kid.
And people that like abs
I'd rather get big, then worry about abs. Abs on a skinny guy aren't impressive. Well not to me at least. Because you can have abs like that and never lift a weight. But like I said, that's my opinion
I'm always surprised by how many people here and even on on BB.c have their main focus on being ripped with abs than with size and strength. You see 6'1 guys weighing in at 140# wanting to stop a bulk because they are losing their six-pack. Kinda putting the cart before the horse, in my opinion.
When I was in the Army I had incredible abs. Never lifted a single weight to get them... although lots of daily typical military workouts, 5 mile runs, situps, pushups, pullups etc... but the reality is I was just super skinny with almost no body fat.4 -
jdscrubs32 wrote: »Before I came on here over 3 years ago, I had stupidly wanted to get abs but wasnt eating right and was way too skinny. Since coming on here, mindset has changed and as long as I have a strong core from working out and doing Pilates, that is all I am looking for because abs arent the be all and end all. Dont let the pursuit of abs take over your life.
You can acquire defined abs without being obsessed with the goal of getting them.
I acquired mine by means of weight/fat loss combined with compound weight lifting (only SQT, DL, BP and OHP), compound body weight exercises (mainly pushups, pullups and dips) and cardio (mainly rowing and some spin biking) without "getting" abs as my primary objective.
My objective was simply weight loss and strength gain.
As soon as my BF dropped enough, the abs just magically "appeared" because my core had already been well developed in the process. This work also revealed clearly defined serratus muscles for the first time as well.
I didn't do anything special and didn't do a single sit-up, crunch or ab specific exercise. Just diet control with an emphasis on high protein intake (40% macro; .8-1g per # BW) and the aforementioned exercises.
I truly believe that anyone with the same level of dedication and discipline can do it too.
Same here. Never a single crunch or plank. hit my macros and did the compounds.
People tend not to believe this.
this is also possibly the reason my abs don't ripple and are completely flat unless I get leaner.0 -
Abs are like racing stripes on a fast car, doesn't make the car go any faster but definitely looks nice lol. Abs are no joke. It requires dedication and eating right. For those who work regular jobs and can't eat every 3 hours and don't take time to properly meal plan, aren't going to get the abs they want. You'll get abs by not eating however you'll lose all muscle mass in your body and then what's the point? Eat clean and eat just under what your body uses on a daily basis. Pair that with cardio 2-3 times a week.
corrected...
thank you for this correction1 -
In March this year I decided to get serious about my eating . I've been eating very clean since then . I don't do carbs and no sugar . My carbs come from veggies and fruits. Since then my ABS are more noticeable and I have gotten very lean .Been lifting weights and doing core work for 3 months. Lost the weight that I needed to and just having a bad week thinking that nothing is really showing on my abs. My back arms and upper body are getting bigger. But no sign of abs yet.0 -
Here is a recent picture ...1 -
In March this year I decided to get serious about my eating . I've been eating very clean since then . I don't do carbs and no sugar . My carbs come from veggies and fruits. Since then my ABS are more noticeable and I have gotten very lean .Been lifting weights and doing core work for 3 months. Lost the weight that I needed to and just having a bad week thinking that nothing is really showing on my abs. My back arms and upper body are getting bigger. But no sign of abs yet.
Vegetables and fruit have sugar in them and eating clean has nothing to do with do with abs...4 -
In March this year I decided to get serious about my eating . I've been eating very clean since then . I don't do carbs and no sugar . My carbs come from veggies and fruits. Since then my ABS are more noticeable and I have gotten very lean .Been lifting weights and doing core work for 3 months. Lost the weight that I needed to and just having a bad week thinking that nothing is really showing on my abs. My back arms and upper body are getting bigger. But no sign of abs yet.
Vegetables and fruit have sugar in them and eating clean has nothing to do with do with abs...
Well, eating clean has worked for me...0 -
For now, measure your strength abilities because it may take a bit for visual progress. I've been working my abs for a long time and I'm finally seeing progress. I'm super lean, too, so slow growth has been frustrating. I imagine cutting through fat plus slow Ab growth is just as difficult as I imagine it to be to stay motivated.
You'll get there
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In March this year I decided to get serious about my eating . I've been eating very clean since then . I don't do carbs and no sugar . My carbs come from veggies and fruits. Since then my ABS are more noticeable and I have gotten very lean .Been lifting weights and doing core work for 3 months. Lost the weight that I needed to and just having a bad week thinking that nothing is really showing on my abs. My back arms and upper body are getting bigger. But no sign of abs yet.
Vegetables and fruit have sugar in them and eating clean has nothing to do with do with abs...
Well, eating clean has worked for me...
that is because you replace calorie dense foods with less calorie dense foods..
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What is the point of having abs if the rest of you looks like you just finished filming an extended episode of Naked and Afraid and the only thing you had to eat in 6 months was a coconut, some ants, and a few grubs...
Abs can certainly accentuate a good physique but without a good physique it sometimes just makes a person look like they are starving to death.3 -
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jseams1234 wrote: »Abs can certainly accentuate a good physique but without a good physique it sometimes just makes a person look like they are starving to death.
This is what I'm having to ponder right now.
I *thought* my goal was abs, but I'm starting to wonder if the rest of me will look too scrawny when my BF's low enough to see them. I've done stupid skinny before (racing weight as a cox'n for rowing) and it's not a good look on me.
I need a goal, but trying to work out what the right one for me is!1 -
In March this year I decided to get serious about my eating . I've been eating very clean since then . I don't do carbs and no sugar . My carbs come from veggies and fruits. Since then my ABS are more noticeable and I have gotten very lean .Been lifting weights and doing core work for 3 months. Lost the weight that I needed to and just having a bad week thinking that nothing is really showing on my abs. My back arms and upper body are getting bigger. But no sign of abs yet.
Vegetables and fruit have sugar in them and eating clean has nothing to do with do with abs...
Just out of curiosity - if eating clean has nothing to do with abs, what type of eating does? What are some things that you typically eat?1 -
In March this year I decided to get serious about my eating . I've been eating very clean since then . I don't do carbs and no sugar . My carbs come from veggies and fruits. Since then my ABS are more noticeable and I have gotten very lean .Been lifting weights and doing core work for 3 months. Lost the weight that I needed to and just having a bad week thinking that nothing is really showing on my abs. My back arms and upper body are getting bigger. But no sign of abs yet.
Vegetables and fruit have sugar in them and eating clean has nothing to do with do with abs...
Just out of curiosity - if eating clean has nothing to do with abs, what type of eating does? What are some things that you typically eat?
If you eat at a surplus - regardless if it's 100% clean you will gain weight. If you eat at a deficit - you will lose weight - regardless if it's cake and hotdogs. It's just much easier to eat at a deficit on a "clean" diet since clean foods tend to be much less calorie dense.3 -
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In March this year I decided to get serious about my eating . I've been eating very clean since then . I don't do carbs and no sugar . My carbs come from veggies and fruits. Since then my ABS are more noticeable and I have gotten very lean .Been lifting weights and doing core work for 3 months. Lost the weight that I needed to and just having a bad week thinking that nothing is really showing on my abs. My back arms and upper body are getting bigger. But no sign of abs yet.
Vegetables and fruit have sugar in them and eating clean has nothing to do with do with abs...
Just out of curiosity - if eating clean has nothing to do with abs, what type of eating does? What are some things that you typically eat?
I eat whatever I like and make sure I hit micros, macros , and calorie targets.1 -
In March this year I decided to get serious about my eating . I've been eating very clean since then . I don't do carbs and no sugar . My carbs come from veggies and fruits. Since then my ABS are more noticeable and I have gotten very lean .Been lifting weights and doing core work for 3 months. Lost the weight that I needed to and just having a bad week thinking that nothing is really showing on my abs. My back arms and upper body are getting bigger. But no sign of abs yet.
Vegetables and fruit have sugar in them and eating clean has nothing to do with do with abs...
Just out of curiosity - if eating clean has nothing to do with abs, what type of eating does? What are some things that you typically eat?
Energy balance is what allowed that person to cut calories to get into a deficit. That allowed her to cut body fat. She also probably subsequently increased protein for which satiated her and improved compliance. The below thread might help.
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10503952/bro-do-you-even-eat-clean/p13 -
Carb cycle0
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JoshGouvisis wrote: »Carb cycle
Which will accomplish what?1 -
JoshGouvisis wrote: »Carb cycle
Which will accomplish what?
Nothing... unless compliance. But certainly not any more beneficial than any other dietary strategy. Shocking right?2 -
In March this year I decided to get serious about my eating . I've been eating very clean since then . I don't do carbs and no sugar . My carbs come from veggies and fruits. Since then my ABS are more noticeable and I have gotten very lean .Been lifting weights and doing core work for 3 months. Lost the weight that I needed to and just having a bad week thinking that nothing is really showing on my abs. My back arms and upper body are getting bigger. But no sign of abs yet.
Vegetables and fruit have sugar in them and eating clean has nothing to do with do with abs...
Just out of curiosity - if eating clean has nothing to do with abs, what type of eating does? What are some things that you typically eat?
Eating in a deficit has everything to do with abs. I use flexible dieting to prep for bodybuilding comps and include pizza, burgers, fries, chocolate, icecream, sweets, chocolate cereal, etc in my diet.1 -
Totally agree. Three months ago I had abs but they didn't show no matter how much abs exercises I did. My nutrition side was not that good. Then I decided to clean up on my eating and they started to show up again. I started to get lean and abs, arms, legs ..all the muscles started to show up. So for me , is more about eating that anything else.Visible abs are all about body fat. You just have to keep leaning out to uncover them. Just maintain a modest calorie deficit and keep lifting. You will get there.
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JoshGouvisis wrote: »Carb cycle
Nope0 -
gym4life64 wrote: »But who would want to look like that kid?
Better the kid than the hideous guy below him ugh what a bad shape to have. o_o Id die. (male or female)0 -
gym4life64 wrote: »Ironandwine69 wrote: »Abs in guys are kind gay looking. I wogym4life64 wrote: »But who would want to look like that kid?
That kid.
And people that like abs
I'd rather get big, then worry about abs. Abs on a skinny guy aren't impressive. Well not to me at least. Because you can have abs like that and never lift a weight. But like I said, that's my opinion
But not all guys are trying to impress other guys or to become body builders - some are just trying to look physically appealing (or at least *less* unappealing) to women (or gay men of course, but you get the point).1 -
Totally agree. Three months ago I had abs but they didn't show no matter how much abs exercises I did. My nutrition side was not that good. Then I decided to clean up on my eating and they started to show up again. I started to get lean and abs, arms, legs ..all the muscles started to show up. So for me , is more about eating that anything else.Visible abs are all about body fat. You just have to keep leaning out to uncover them. Just maintain a modest calorie deficit and keep lifting. You will get there.
I wasn't able to get really lean until I un-cleaned my eating. By allowing myself to eat what I loved every day, including some sugary, fattening carbs, I was able to practice moderation (and get fairly good at it). I didn't think it was possible, but when I truly stopped labeling food as clean/unclean, good/bad I was able to stop the binge restrict cycle that kept me overweight. Of course I try to hit my macros every day because getting the nutrients my body needs is important to me too. It's possible to have it all!3 -
Totally agree. Three months ago I had abs but they didn't show no matter how much abs exercises I did. My nutrition side was not that good. Then I decided to clean up on my eating and they started to show up again. I started to get lean and abs, arms, legs ..all the muscles started to show up. So for me , is more about eating that anything else.Visible abs are all about body fat. You just have to keep leaning out to uncover them. Just maintain a modest calorie deficit and keep lifting. You will get there.
It's all about eating - eating to be in a caloric deficit. It has nothing to do with food choices.2 -
Verity1111 wrote: »gym4life64 wrote: »But who would want to look like that kid?
Better the kid than the hideous guy below him ugh what a bad shape to have. o_o Id die. (male or female)
That "bad shaped" man in the bottom picture is packing an insane amount of muscle. If he wanted to he could cut for 6 months, and I mean a horrible cut where he just stops eating and does no exercise/lifting to maintain muscle and he would look AMAZING. Alternately, that kid could lift for years, doing everything right, and he would be nowhere near the strength and size of that guy. lol
If I had to pick a starting physique to work with, it wouldn't be that kid.... maybe because I was that kid in my teens all the way up into my 30's.
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