The six pack challenge

[TalkToTheHand123]

I used to be very active / sporty when younger, many moons ago. The weight seems to have been a bit of a gradual increase up to now for many reasons (no real excuse). I've tried (to a degree) to stop the increase with many different ideas but have failed.

I'm trying to get in a good routine which works well for me and hoping a few ideas I have had recently will help me reach my target. I'd probably be more than happy to just lose 2 or 3 stone (currently 15.5 stone), but ultimate target is to get my 6 pack back.

Anyone have similar goals?

I think I would need to be very slim to show any 6 pack. I'm thinking about 7 stone for me? I'm currently 11 stone. Does a person need to be very lean before those muscles show?

But I'm like you in that I need to lose 2 to 3 stone. I'm wondering if steady exercise like jogging and walking every day for 2 hours is the answer to permanenent weight loss?

Not sure. Got off to a decent start with an hour and a half at the gym but then ate like a pig 🐷 since I got in.

How much did you weigh when you used to have a six pack @TalkToTheHand123? I think as pp said above, you’d need to be ultra lean to have one, I’ve got down to 9st 1.5 so far and I’m far, far away from having even a flat stomach, let alone a six pack. From everything I’ve read, women need to be incredibly lean to allow the muscles to show through in the stomach area - probably either slightly underweight, or athlete level fitness (and therefore very low body fat percentage).

Hi SS. Very long time ago but I don't think I was that lean.

How tall are you?

5'8

Noticed myself in the mirror at the gym and was a bit shocked at how big I am. An ok session but again cut short.

My stomach area is quite sore. I found a couple of machines which really work the area so at least pleased about this.

I'm 5'6 and 9st7 and have the very faintest of 4 packs. I do have some excess stomach I'd like to get rid of though.
I'd agree you have to be very lean to have a 6 pack and I'm not sure it's a look I aspire to but it seems that it's what I'd end up with if I ever shift the stomach.

You'd probably need to have a bmi of less the 19% to have a 6 pack. That's about 9 stone for someone of your height. Why not make some smaller, more achievable goals, like working out a food plan with a reasonable calorie deficit, using myfitnesspal and looking at your neat activity levels.

This is me at around eight and a half stone. I’m 5’6”.

No six pack. Despite a very low body fat percentage and working out with heavy weights.

It's probably more the feeling of one. I used to do lots of sit ups and could really feel the muscles after finishing a session. I was starting to find some tummy muscles the last few days.

I keep meaning to do food plans.

Just weighed myself and hit the 15 stone mark. So seems like it was down to a couple of decent gym sessions and a bit of extra walking. If I somehow stop eating like a pig, who knows how low I can go! Or maybe a bit more exercise.

I've had a bit extra sleep which does wonders.

Forgot to mention I bought some protein shake powder which seems to have helped too.

Great figure btw Zazdar. Hope I can get somewhere near one day.

I’m finding this thread oddly quite comforting! I’ve lost four stone and am now only slightly overweight but still have a jelly belly- this thread has made me readjust my expectations a bit of what’s achievable.

@Hatinafield well done on losing 4 stone!
Yes I think I have to accept I will never have a completely flat stomach. I’ve gone down from 10st 7 to 9st 2, and still have a very wobbly tummy. It is smaller than it was, of course, but the weight has come off a little from legs, a little from bum, little from stomach, face etc. I think it’s impossible to actually spot target weight loss, your body apparently takes the fat usually from where it was last added, first.
You can do a million sit ups, and you won’t have a chiselled stomach, if the rest of your body has too much fat stored.

Yeah, I agree. My stomach is always the first place it goes on and the last place it comes off! The rest of me is pretty much as lean as i want it to be now so whilst I’ve got another 9 or 10lbs to lose, I have a feeling I’ll still be making my peace with my squishy middle at the end of it 😂

I have a BMI of 20 and a body fat percentage of 20 and a clearly visible four pack (😂). Saying that my 'trunk' is only about 14% fat (I carry fat on my bum and thighs). I do strength training six days per week, consistently doing the same selection of exercises targeted mostly at my abs and that has worked for me. I rarely do cardio and watch what I eat.

Latest plan is to do 10 mini sit-ups per night. Completed for tonight!

10mins worth I mean lol.

I’m not fussed about a six pack but would love a flat and toned stomach. Although am in aware of Zazdar, which I am sure took a lot of hard work and consistency.

I wish I had that kind of discipline!

Three days of just light sit-ups and stretching have got me to the 15 stone mark (at my lightest). 1/2 of a stone loss in true terms by my estimate, so hopefully my highest weight will be 15 stone soon as routine quite easy and enjoyable.

I'm feeling the tummy muscles a bit more as although long way to go.

1/4 of a stone even.

I'd planned going to the gym tomorrow. Luckily my friend informed me it will likely be shut Anyone else forget bank holiday closures? It would be bin day tomorrow and a couple peopl have put their bins out tonight

Feeling a little sore today and quite tired even though I've had a fair bit of sleep since the gym. Do I continue when feeling sore or stop until the soreness has gone? I guess the soreness means I'm on track. Was hoping I'd be under 15 stone this morning although not far off.

Had a big clear out of the fridge yesterday. Quite shocking how much food was wasted. Hopefully can cut down on the wastage.

Just sit ups and a few weights for the last few days. Not motivated enough to go on the treadmill. Weight. Just under 15 and a half stone. I was expecting it to be under 15 stone. I'm really hungry this morning for the first time in a long time.

Weighed this morning and so so close to the 15 stone mark. Did about 25 mins light sit-ups and a bit of stretching.

*Last night for the exercise.