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45 year old trying to firm the lower stomach
- Thread starter Jabs
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Gladiola
New member
Hi Deb,
First off, you can't firm your stomach - it's an internal organ. Second, you have no lower abs either - the long rectus abdominus makes up that 6-pack muscle & it's all one long muscle (no "lower" part). OK, SORRY, can't help it.
Now that I'm through being uptight
You also can't "firm up" fat. I'm presuming you are referring to losing the fat that is below your belly button. The muscle & fat are 2 different things - you can strengthen the muscles till they're rock solid, but you'll still have that fat if you're not eating right & on a good exercise program for your whole body. You also can't 'spot reduce' - i.e. work your abs to lose the fat over the ab muscles. As I've said before, 1,000 crunches a day does not equal a 6-pack no matter what Brittney Spears may say. Your body determines WHERE the fat that you lose comes from - you have no say.
So thousands of crunches aren't your answer either. Typically to lose that last bit of fat, a woman will have to get her body fat % pretty low - which takes (for most) a strict diet & disciplined exercise routine.
You mentioned that you haven't noticed a change in that belly area - have you noticed changes elsewhere? If so, just keep at it - that will be the last bit of fat to go! What's your exercise routine & diet like now?
First off, you can't firm your stomach - it's an internal organ. Second, you have no lower abs either - the long rectus abdominus makes up that 6-pack muscle & it's all one long muscle (no "lower" part). OK, SORRY, can't help it.
Now that I'm through being uptight
You also can't "firm up" fat. I'm presuming you are referring to losing the fat that is below your belly button. The muscle & fat are 2 different things - you can strengthen the muscles till they're rock solid, but you'll still have that fat if you're not eating right & on a good exercise program for your whole body. You also can't 'spot reduce' - i.e. work your abs to lose the fat over the ab muscles. As I've said before, 1,000 crunches a day does not equal a 6-pack no matter what Brittney Spears may say. Your body determines WHERE the fat that you lose comes from - you have no say.So thousands of crunches aren't your answer either. Typically to lose that last bit of fat, a woman will have to get her body fat % pretty low - which takes (for most) a strict diet & disciplined exercise routine.
You mentioned that you haven't noticed a change in that belly area - have you noticed changes elsewhere? If so, just keep at it - that will be the last bit of fat to go! What's your exercise routine & diet like now?
I work out at the gym. 15-20 min cardio,30 min.weights 3xa week. Also 2 mile walk with my dog every day. Diet? Not doing much there other than trying to eat healthy... my downfall would be my cravings for sweets. I have seen incredible results from working out. I am much firmer, holding my weight down and have alot more energy.
JJFigure
New member
I think "pretty low" bodyfat depends on the person and their fat storage patterns. My stubborn fat areas are legs and triceps; I don't really store fat in my abdominal area. So I can see my lower abs most of the time - just can't ditch the thunder thighs. 
But, if you store bodyfat in the abdominal area, I'd say "pretty low" would be 12% or lower. I start losing my stubborn fat around this bodyfat percentage. START losing...never seems to all go away.
But, if you store bodyfat in the abdominal area, I'd say "pretty low" would be 12% or lower. I start losing my stubborn fat around this bodyfat percentage. START losing...never seems to all go away.
bignate73
New member
"first to go on, last to come off". that phrase always tends to ring true.
my last show, my upper body was contest ready 8 weeks out, but i had no quad seperation. my stubborn area is my legs...i still didnt dial in my legs completely and i was diced up top.
for most men, they will tend to see their abs around 10-12% bf. not sure for women, it depends where they carry the bulk of their fat. some in the thighs and glutes, some in the lower abdominal region etc.
good call by gladiola on all parts.
my last show, my upper body was contest ready 8 weeks out, but i had no quad seperation. my stubborn area is my legs...i still didnt dial in my legs completely and i was diced up top.
for most men, they will tend to see their abs around 10-12% bf. not sure for women, it depends where they carry the bulk of their fat. some in the thighs and glutes, some in the lower abdominal region etc.
good call by gladiola on all parts.
Bikini Mod
New member
Have you had any children?
Oh yea.... what they said! LOL
Oh yea.... what they said! LOL
Welcome to the board! If your lower stomach is your "worst" area, it will seem like it's making the slowest progress. Everybody has certain areas that respond easily and others that take more time and effort.
Even though you're concerned about your abs, be sure to train all your body parts, even the ones you think are fine. It's important for preventing injury, plus you'll develop a stronger leaner more aesthetically balanced physique.
As for diet, that's really the biggest piece of the puzzle. I used to think I could just work out harder, but that'll only get you so far. The neat thing about a training diet is it's a completely different mindset from the traditional weight loss diet.
A typical weight loss diet is all about deprivation and restriction. With a training diet, the focus is on getting sufficient calories and nutrients to support your training and maintain muscle mass, since muscle is metabolically active. When your body is sufficiently nourished, you feel better and can train at a higher intensity and burn off the fat.
I like sweets too, and I still eat them. The cravings for them are gone now that I'm eating small meals every 2-3 hours (each w/ some protein).
Even though you're concerned about your abs, be sure to train all your body parts, even the ones you think are fine. It's important for preventing injury, plus you'll develop a stronger leaner more aesthetically balanced physique.
As for diet, that's really the biggest piece of the puzzle. I used to think I could just work out harder, but that'll only get you so far. The neat thing about a training diet is it's a completely different mindset from the traditional weight loss diet.
A typical weight loss diet is all about deprivation and restriction. With a training diet, the focus is on getting sufficient calories and nutrients to support your training and maintain muscle mass, since muscle is metabolically active. When your body is sufficiently nourished, you feel better and can train at a higher intensity and burn off the fat.
I like sweets too, and I still eat them. The cravings for them are gone now that I'm eating small meals every 2-3 hours (each w/ some protein).
