Silly question about abs/belly

[NCDogGuy]

This does seem silly when people are posting about hiv and such. But on a health forum is more appealing than getting laughed at by my trainer...

I've lost over 50 pounds in the past 10 months. I've been strength training for 2 - 3 months and am developing muscle and getting lean. Ok, I'm on a body building exercise plan. Started 265lbs, 5ft 11in tall. Now 210lbs. Electronic gizmo claims body fat % has gone from about 30 ish to low 20s. I know those are inaccurate, but there has been a steady drop in what it says. I'm getting stronger every week.

But I still have a bigger belly than I want. I can feel that there is a thin layer of fat over the abs that are forming.

Here's the silly question. I've noticed that if I keep my abs slightly contracted, I have the flat belly I want. (no abs visible because of the thin fat later, but flat.) But if I stand or sit relaxed as I am used to, then I still look fat.

Do fit guys spend their lives with their abs somewhat contracted?

Sorry for such a mundane question, but this is bothering me. I have definition in my arm muscles, some in my shoulders, and my chest is no longer flabby. And a belly that still looks too big unless I consciously tense my abs.. Do I just need to be patient and keep working,

 

[pat grimshaw]

…Do fit guys spend their lives with their abs somewhat contracted?…

No, only when they're being photographed or being looked at.

Having a six pack is an impossible dream for 99% of the population.

 

[looseliam]

I don't know about you, but even at my skinniest, I always had a bit of a belly. It was down to my posture and the way my spine curves.

Just build-up your pecs so the shirt falls flat on your tummy.

 

[Cedric]

Fitness models also dehydrate themselves--sometimes over the course of a few days--before a photo shoot, as with bodybuilders before a competition. No one looks like that in their normal state.

 

[Telstra]

Fitness models also dehydrate themselves--sometimes over the course of a few days--before a photo shoot, as with bodybuilders before a competition. No one looks like that in their normal state.

dehydrate themselves before photo shoot?
That means their breathe would be pretty bad.

 

[pat grimshaw]

^
yes, you're right, and most body-builders smell bad because their enlarged chests stop their arm pits from cooling down

 

[Aymotin]

Work on your posture. Lot´s of people have a bad posture with a slight hollow back and somewhat forward tilted hips. It feels more comfortable but is a bad habit which also constricts your ability of movement and power, which is why there is so much training on posture and walking in martial arts.

Makes you look as if you have a huge belly and leads to problems with your back on a long term.

I dont know about your country, here the health-profesionals for this stuff are called Physiotherapeuten. Find the equivalent.

Also Yoga and similar training may help.

For the real low cost you can find exercises for this on the internet.

 

[KaraBulut]

Not a silly question at all.

First- congrats on the progress you've made. That's an impressive change in your body and it sounds like you've done it the responsible way with exercise and consistency.

Men are supposed to have some fat and as they get older, it tends to accumulate around the midsection. Usually, if you're in shape and you're doing ab exercises but you still have a rounded belly, there's one of two problems-

1. Belly fat has two components- a layer of fat on the outside of the muscles and a layer of fat on the inside of the abdomen that surrounds the organs. The outside fat is much easier to lose than the inside fat.
2. There are some physical changes in the muscles of the abdomen with aging. The muscles of the abdomen stretch when you've gained that weight on the inside of the abdomen. Some guys also have a condition called diastasis recti which is a gap between the two vertical muscle bands that create the "6 pack". If you have a diastasis, this stretching becomes even more noticeable as the muscles are pushed further to the side by the interior fat

.
The solution is to continue cardio. If you are serious about "flattening" your abdomen more, you'll need to do more intense core work on the abs and back muscles. You'll also need to start doing variable intensity cardio- similar to HIIT or P90X/Turbofire.

But also keep a realistic attitude. Very few men over age 30 have rock hard 8 pack abs. It's normal to have some fat around the midsection. And it's much more important to be in good shape cardio-wise. And quite frankly, if you've got a nice arms-chest and a nice ass, no guy is going to notice a little bit of a tummy.

 

[NCDogGuy]

Thanks for all the replies. Kara nailed the intent ofmy question. I don't care about visible ab muscles. But I would like to not have a belly bulge when wearing tshirts. It feels like the outer fat layer is only a half inch or so thick now. But the belly is more pronounced than that. So that suggests it is the internal fat, which I did not onw about.

I want realistic expectations. So I guess the flat belly will come with time, but is going to be harder to obtain. I can live with that. Getting off cholesterol med and being able to run with my dog was the goal. More muscular body type is a bonus.

It is bizarre to look in the mirror and see some definition in my arms and chest. That has never been true in my life. (Mid 40s here).

Thanks for the replies. I understand what to expect now.

 

[palemale]

Here's the silly question. I've noticed that if I keep my abs slightly contracted, I have the flat belly I want. (no abs visible because of the thin fat later, but flat.) But if I stand or sit relaxed as I am used to, then I still look fat.

Do fit guys spend their lives with their abs somewhat contracted?

Not a silly question at all. The answer is that you should be conscious of your abs and not let it all hang out when relaxed. I studied dance in my youth, and one of my teachers told me that one should keep the muscles contracted at all times. So, I do. It's really a function of having good posture and maintaining good health. It becomes second nature and keeps the abs in good shape.

Also, cut out simple carbs as much as possible, specifically, processed food like bread, pasta, most junk food, especially in the evening. You'll have a difficult time losing that body fat if you overindulge on simple carbs.