I got this note yesterday from Molly, and she’s zeroed in on just the thing I’ve been thinking about this week, as the weather gets warm and the summer shorts, sundresses and — ack! — swimsuits come out of hiding. Does any woman love her abs? What have you seen actually work to make them look like this picture? (Yeah, I know this model’s probably 18, but still …)
From Molly: I am 45, healthy, and in good shape. I am nutritionally conscious, go to the gym three times a week and am OK with a few extra pounds. But how do you get a flat stomach? I mean really. Do your readers have any personal experience of anything that works short of Boot Camp? Is it all exercise or is there anything nutritional that makes a difference? I’d love to hear from real women about this. (But in the meantime I’m going to start doing sit ups while watching TV… 
Thanks and have a great day!
Responses to “Obsessing about abs.”
May 9th, 2007 at 10:54 am
I’m a trainer from Memphis, Lisa Sanchez, and I have to say a flat stomach is a hard thing to aquire. So much of it is where you carry your fat. And as women we are child bearing creatures, so we store most of our fat around our midsection.
Having good genes helps. But, watching your intake and uping your cardio is the best way. Watch out for sugar and alchol, because it goes right to belly. I believe I just read that you need under 15% body fat, in order to start seeing your abs. All I can say, is stay healthy, watch your fat intake, and do lots of cardio to keep your weight down.
May 9th, 2007 at 5:31 am
Are post-childbirth-age women supposed to have “flat” abs? I’m not even sure that post-adolescent girls are supposed to have “flat” abs. Women are the ones with the curves.
But I would say to make the best of bikini season, start with tanning lotion or spray (if you’re Caucasian). Dove makes a good one that has a citrus smell.
To add a “cut” look to your usual yoga/pilates/ab work, try Danskin’s weight balls. Walmart carries them for $9 each. About 4 lbs., they are squishy rubber versions of the old medicine ball. Holding one or two of those while doing your usual balance moves adds muscle to your abs.