How do you get a flat stomach?

[Cartoe]

I haven't ever had a flat stomach, surely it's not just genetic?
Mine is well rounded! After belly button (top half is mostly flat).
I'm not overweight, around 170cm and 60kgs.
I've been working on abs, some definition (mostly in the mornings only), I have a strong core but still have a fat stomach, more lower half. I walk/gym/cycle several times a week. Eat mostly healthy.
I find carbs, bread and pasta especially make me more bloated, though it can be most foods, simply after I've eaten any meal.
How do people do it? (Also late 30s and have had children)

you need a low enough body fat percentage

you can stay a healthy weight and get body fat low by weightlifting - increase muscle and strength, lose fat (accurate calorie counting still applies too) this is called 'recomp' , literally changing your body composition.

You will not get 'bulky' unless you follow an intense bulking program. A lot of people who don't lift seem to worry about that.

[quote Leftbutcameback]@WellNotReally that’s interesting and makes lots of sense - I wonder which is better health wise (although a beer belly isn’t ideal of course!)[/quote]
It's better to have any visceral fat away from the vital organs in your torso. That's why a pear shape is healthier than an apple, on the whole, and I'd be willing to bet that fat on top of the muscle is healthier than below. And probably one of many complex reasons why women tend to live longer.

Early forties
Flat tummy
Run x4 a week
Two weight at home classes a week
One yoga

Take effort
But the effort is a pleasure in itself
And gets results
Win win

Of course not always flat ie straight after a large dinner

Its genes sorry. I have always had a flat stomach. I am a pear so weight goes to my hips.

Never had muscle definition tho, but once did a week pilates holiday and had some.so I would say pilates to improve.

If you have a strong core, good posture and a healthy weight, then you probably can't do too much more. I have the opposite problem - always flat stomach but just cannot shift saddlebags! Dressing for your shape will make a big difference to how you feel in my experience.

Cutting the majority of carbs out of my diet and doing moderate ab exercises gave me abs. Having said this genetically I don’t gain weight on my stomach area- fat tends to go straight to my thighs.

I’m late 30s, underweight - bmi is 18.3 and my stomach is still not flat. I’ve had two c sections which probably doesn’t help. I just try not to look at myself too much!

@Runnerbeansummertoes

I’m late 30s, underweight - bmi is 18.3 and my stomach is still not flat. I’ve had two c sections which probably doesn’t help. I just try not to look at myself too much!

I have always been the same, my BMI is 20 now but has been as low as 15 and I've always had a belly. Even with 11% body fat. And even though I do abs every day.

Those posters who are saying "do yoga twice a week and reduce carbs" have no idea how genetically lucky they are!

At least I have delicate ankles and wrists

Mine's always been flat unless i gain quite a bit.
For reference I am 48, i haven't children and love eating sourdough, so it isn't flour for me.
One thing that is guaranteed to bloat it up and distend it for days on end is wine. In fact wine puffs me up all over quite a bit, as if it encourages water weight. I dunno.

I know people think it's a nice thing to have, but it really doesn't add anything to my life, generally speaking.

Mine used to be fine, with weight going on legs, until I hit 40. Now the weight goes on all over including upper and lower stomach

Genetics or a low body fat %
Regardless of how strong your core is, you can't crunch your way to a 6 pack if you carry fat. (Which women are specifically designed to carry, to protect vital organs)
Your weight on the scale has nothing to do with it, maybe get a body composition scan if your curious.

Up to my early-mid 30’s I had a slightly concave belly. I was very fit!
Now, not so much, but still slim and flat belly I would say.
No kids.
It’s partly genes and posture.

I'm a size 8-10 exercise most days, eat a healthy mostly vegan diet all fresh and whole foods. My stomach isn't flat, have stubborn fat on upper and lower belly that won't shift even when I was pretty underweight. It's extremely frustrating and I'm a bit preoccupied with it to be honest as I feel it's ugly. In certain yoga and Pilates classes it really sticks out. I hate it. However I don't think it's ugly at all on other people. My close friend has a ripped tummy despite 2 pregnancies and does very little to maintain it. She puts weight on on her bum and thighs where as I've always had been skinny thighs and bum. I do think it's genetic, I don't really eat sugar either so it's not that.

For me, it’s a combination of diet and exercise. Particularly core muscles. Genetics may play a part.

In my case ditching sugar and wheat followed by thousand lunges. Lunges have been far more effective than performing the usual scrunches. Even my 2 x C-section pouch has shrunk!

Low carb and rowing machine several times a week.

I think it might be just genetics and natural shape. I’m about the same height, age and post kids, and a bit heavier but mine is flat or flattish. One thing I wanted to say was that I really don’t recognise the idea of “bloating” - it’s something I’ve only ever read about on here and has never been part of my experience with my own body.

Tracy Anderson mat floor workout the abs section. Its only about 4 minutes but in two weeks you will notice a difference and in 6 you will have definition. You need to do it every day or 6 days out of 7. It is MAGIC

I think it’s mainly genetics. I’m not skinny (mid range BMI) but am hourglass and stomach is last place to gain weight. If my stomach isn’t looking flat, my BMI will be in overweight category. I do do regular Pilates as well which probably helps to maintain it.

Fwiw - what's taken me from "mostly flat" to "properly flat" again is weights, not planks or crunches. Squats, lunges, deadlifts of 20-30kg.

I'm a healthy weight and I have a little belly below the bellybutton. I like it 😁 it's the sort of womanly curve I can live with.

After having 4 dc's my stomach muscles are shot. I've lost quite a lot of weight and am a size 10 but will always have a sticky out tummy. I think surgery would be the only option (but I certainly don't care enough to go down that route!)

If you have the time, distance walking also helps. Hiking for 2-4 hours for some reason really seemed to cut belly fat (even though I ate sweeties all the way through).

Its only about 4 minutes but in two weeks you will notice a difference and in 6 you will have definition.

To have ab definition, you need to lose the layer of fat over the top too.

@steelseries ...let us know about obtaining that sex pack it might help with maintaining a six pack