So you say you want “abs”

No abs, but no belly, either!

I’ve written about this before, but the search for abs goes on for so many people.

So I’m putting this out there again since there are always individuals who are still curious, concerned, confused.

The big secret behind great abs is…low body fat!

Please believe me. Without a low enough level of body fat…

• No amount of crunches will get you abs.
• No amount of “ab classes” will get you abs.
• No amount of time on the “ab machines” will get you abs

And on a related topic…

• No amount of side bends or “tick tocks” will tighten your waist.
• No amount of time on the “rotary torso” machine will tighten your waist (OR help you lose those love handles, guys) .

So you’re a regular at the gym, and you still can’t see your abs?

Your jeans are still pinching your stomach?

The answer is simple. It’s because there’s fat covering your abdominal muscles!

And the secret to reducing that fat is an intelligent blend of weight-training, cardiovascular work and a nutritious, calorie-appropriate diet.

Plus, the real keys, time and patience!

Now, most of us don’t have “abs.”

In fact, you don’t even have to be “overweight” to have a smooth belly instead of “abs.”

Think: Have you seen amazing abs on most fashion models?

Not even lingerie models have the ”six packs” that physique competitors have. And that’s OKAY! They’re not going for “buff.” They’re not going for “abs.”

To get abs, they’d have to quit fashion modeling and call themselves fitness models–which would probably limit their earnings.

Instead, they eat little to keep their weight down (it doesn’t hurt that they’re in their 20s).

But their actual body fat level (the ratio of fat to lean body mass) is absolutely higher than, say, that of a physique athlete, who has considerably more muscle packed on her frame.

That said…

Sometime after 50–maybe even sooner–I think most women forget about abs–wanting them, working for them, stressing over them. Perhaps most women in their 50s think their time for six packs has long passed them.

Not necessarily. But priorities change. It’s usually “good enough” to tighten things up a bit so there’s no “pooch” under the sweater or t-shirt.

Certainly there are health benefits to consider.  

Abdominal weight gain and an increase in waist circumference can signal metabolic syndrome. Too much “belly” could indicate an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. 

So don’t worry about appearing vain if you want to trim your abdominal girth.

It’s not about “looking hot.” It’s about health and longevity.

It’s about carrying yourself into your senior years with lightness and grace.

And, I’d be remiss if I didn’t add–strong abdominal muscles support good posture and may prevent some kinds of low back pain.

I used to have “abs.” These days, I want to have that ease of movement that indicates health and fitness.

Are you “fit” if you have abs? Not necessarily.