Flat stomachs. Who has them?

[msrisotto]

Can you have a flat stomach while being a healthy BMI? That seems like a stupid question actually. I have a BMI of 20 but have belly fat. It doesn't bother me really, but I was wondering if I could ever get a flat stomach while being a healthy weight.
Is it for people who do a lot of exercise, have next to no fat and lots of muscle? Like professional athletes? Is it genetics? Is it youth?

It also will depend on your back and core. If you stand with a curve in your lower spine, (like many toddlers do naturally) it appears that your abdomen sticks out. If you stand tall and have a strong core this will be less obvious.

greatpoint
yes and no
I do gym classes with some ultra lean people who wear head to foot lycra
the angle of the front of the pelvis is genetic and linked to tummy size / bum size

I have round tummy flat bum
other friends have flat tummy round bum
and there are two ladies with flat tummy and flat bum - but both have BMI under 18 as they are built like giraffes

Even when I was exercising loads and was 8 stone 10 and 5'8" I didnt have a flat tummy. I asked a surgeon friend why and he said that some women just have fat overlying their abdominal muscles so no amount of exercise could ever sort it.

I have an almost concave stomach. I don't eat much at all but to be fair it's always been like this even when I ate more. I think it's about gut flora balance personally.

I gave up sugar about 4 weeks ago. Within a couple of weeks my tummy, which has been fairly bloaty looking for a long time, is pretty much flat. I am still overweight but have changed shape amazingly quickly.

Erm, so the two people who posted pictures do know they have flat stomachs right?

Banana
Flat tummies are variable depending on context.
This is one of my gym friends - she has two teenage kids and is in her late 40's
she is flat tummy, round bum
and yes, we call her barbie

Interesting thread. My bmi is 24 & my stomach is bulgy (innards) and fat (1" of blubber coating it). This is despite lipo and regular shredding and pilates. Even with a bmi of 19 it wasnt flat or without fat. I have gizelle legs & a flat arse though. Id kill for defined abs I really would. At the end of the day the week before my period i look six months pregnant. The picture posters are both thin with flat stomachs in my opinion.

There's a difference between flat and toned though isn't there. I'm a 14 and have been genetically blessed with a flat stomach - it's in no way toned though and I just carry excess weight everywhere else!

mine was just like Running's ... when I'm very very thin (7 stone, ribs sticking out, too thin). Even when I was dancing a lot - toned everywhere/great legs/bum etc I still have the little pooch.

I actually liked it though! That athletic 6 pack look is not me at all (fortunately because I'd never have the commitment to obtain that kind of physique). Think Talkin is right about it being a difference in underlying anatomy when you get rid of the fat!