Is that whole Ab thing true...?

grrrace

I have read (online, so I know it's not a good source) that if you build too much muscle in your abs while you still have a lot of stomach fat to lose the fat gets sort of trapped in the muscle and doesn't go away as easily.

Is this true? Has anyone experienced this? it sounds sketchy but my belly is my biggest problem area and I don't want to do anything to slow down progress!

Right now I am doing 45-60 mins on elliptical and then 15-20 focusing on a different body (arms, legs, core) area on the weight machines 5x/week.

Any advice or experience would be greatly appreciated!

I want to lose 35-45 lbs ... so far I'm down 4 lb, haha! 

[Deleted User]

Hmm I've never heard that.  Though "spot reducing" isnt super possible, toning & strenghtening will add tightness and definitition.  I'd say keep up with the crunches.

My belly has always been my biggest problem area too.  I'm down 30 lbs so far though and it is definitely shrinking.  I think it will be pretty much gone with these last 10 lbs that I am working on. And I have been doing strength & Cardio (similar to your routine) for about 4-5 months in conjunction with eating right.

HTH!

Nebb

Try a higher intensity cardio, or integrate high intensity intervals into your cardio routine. That will help. Also - weight machines arent that great, youre better off with body weight or free weight strength training. It uses more muscles and you accomplish more in the time youre doing it.

raynes

Abs are made in the kitchen, not the gym.  Processed foods and sugars are big contributor to belly fat.

As for building up "too much" stomach muscle, that's probably impossible. (or nearly impossible)

jonchrissy

Ditto Nebb on the machines, you'll be much better off using free weights. Most people don't "fit" correctly on the machines and end up doing them incorrectly.

Also, I think whatever you read was a bunch of bs. It's true fat never goes away, fat cells only can get smaller/larger/increase in number, but it's entirely possible to get a flat stomach with a healthy diet and exercise.

grrrace

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_whole-ab-thing-true?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:17d2b789-a70f-401f-a599-27f495b51d76Post:7bac2a9e-ecc1-45ef-a93c-68f4e5ec80c5">Re: Is that whole Ab thing true...?</a>:
[QUOTE]Abs are made in the kitchen, not the gym.  Processed foods and sugars are big contributor to belly fat. 
Posted by raynes[/QUOTE]

<div>very true-- unfortunately I didn't realize this when I was 12 years old and eating my weight in skittles and coke all throughout middle school! haha</div><div>
</div><div>Now I do eat very healthily, no red meat, mostly organic, not many sweets and lots of veggies- I haven't gained weight since middle school, but I haven't lost it either, it's time to lose it! </div><div>
</div><div>Thanks for the info, guys! </div><div>
</div><div>
</div>

raynes

FWIW, red meat isn't evil.  It's a great source of protein, and leaner options are available.  Don't fear the steak.

grrrace

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_whole-ab-thing-true?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:17d2b789-a70f-401f-a599-27f495b51d76Post:30af0496-d4e9-41a5-871d-46a9b0d1a518">Re: Is that whole Ab thing true...?</a>:
[QUOTE]FWIW, red meat isn't evil.  It's a great source of protein, and leaner options are available.  Don't fear the steak.
Posted by raynes[/QUOTE]

<div>That may be true, but I try to follow Dr. Weil's anti-inflammatory diet- he says to avoid it. Alzheimer's runs in my family and I am trying to avoid it at all costs. </div>

miah_23_ncb

I have heard that if you use certain ab macjines using to much weight it can thicken the mid section hence building the muscle. So if you do use a type of ab machine less weight more reps.

grrrace

good to know miah! thanks