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  #1   ^
Old Thu, Oct-11-01, 13:20
Atriana's Avatar
Atriana Atriana is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 2,118
 
Plan: South Beach
Stats: 170/139/130 Female 65 inches
BF:
Progress: 78%
Location: Atlanta, GA
Question Abs

OK, I realize that abdominals won't get that 6 pack look unless your body fat percentage is fairly low, but is it still helpful to exercise them even though you can't see them? I'm probably just looking for a way to avoid it all , I just did one of those 8 minute ab tapes and it was quite a humbling experience!
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  #2   ^
Old Thu, Oct-11-01, 13:33
jonrees's Avatar
jonrees jonrees is offline
Registered Member
Posts: 83
 
Plan: atkins
Stats: 263/199/174
BF:
Progress: 72%
Location: Newcastle-upon-Tyne NE England
Default Definitely worth doing them

I certainly have a little too much fat to see my abdominals but after a 3 week exercise regime I'm fitting into jeans that are much smaller - and I haven't lost that much weight - so something is working.

I know what you mean about the humbling experience. The book said 3 sets of 15 reps etc. I could manage about 2 (reps that is not sets). But its getting better.

Good Luck

Jon
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  #3   ^
Old Thu, Oct-11-01, 13:35
Natrushka Natrushka is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 11,512
 
Plan: IF +LC
Stats: 287/165/165 Female 66"
BF:
Progress: 100%
Default Re: Abs

Quote:
Originally posted by Atriana
OK, I realize that abdominals won't get that 6 pack look unless your body fat percentage is fairly low, but is it still helpful to exercise them even though you can't see them? I'm probably just looking for a way to avoid it all , I just did one of those 8 minute ab tapes and it was quite a humbling experience!


You bet its worth it. Strong abs help prevent injury to your back; more muscle = more calories burned, higher metabolsim; being humbled can be good for you Ok that last one is stretching, I'll admit.

Nat

P.S. won't it be nice to have them when you are in a position to have them actually be seen?
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  #4   ^
Old Thu, Oct-11-01, 14:01
Atriana's Avatar
Atriana Atriana is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 2,118
 
Plan: South Beach
Stats: 170/139/130 Female 65 inches
BF:
Progress: 78%
Location: Atlanta, GA
Default

You bet - when I can finally see them I am going to be one of those fit middle aged women who run around wearing short shirts and sporting a belly button ring!
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  #5   ^
Old Thu, Oct-11-01, 19:37
Natrushka Natrushka is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 11,512
 
Plan: IF +LC
Stats: 287/165/165 Female 66"
BF:
Progress: 100%
Default

Quote:
Originally posted by Atriana
You bet - when I can finally see them I am going to be one of those fit middle aged women who run around wearing short shirts and sporting a belly button ring!


Hey, "That's a good thing" to quote Martha.... enjoy every moment of it, you earned it!

N
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  #6   ^
Old Fri, Oct-12-01, 10:47
Crowis's Avatar
Crowis Crowis is offline
Registered Member
Posts: 83
 
Plan: Dr. Atkins
Stats: 321.5/205.5/175
BF:
Progress: 79%
Location: Kennewick, Washington
Default Abs?

I'm worried about getting some definition in my major muscle groups first . At my point I still believe that my abs are much like the holy grail . . . reported to exist yet never seen.

GRIN

Mike
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  #7   ^
Old Tue, Oct-16-01, 11:24
dwala dwala is offline
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Posts: 35
 
Plan: Atkins
Stats: 145/140/112
BF:
Progress: 15%
Location: Columbia, SC
Default Re: Definitely worth doing them

Quote:
Originally posted by jonrees
I know what you mean about the humbling experience. The book said 3 sets of 15 reps etc. I could manage about 2 (reps that is not sets). But its getting better.
Thanks for sharing that, Jon, I relate!

I was having a bear of a time with incline sit-ups last week, so for the first few days I turned around and did them, making that incline work with me. I don't care if it was cheating—my mind has now accepted I can do sit-ups and I don't use the incline anymore. Granted, I don't use it either way, but...

If I had a trainer she'd smack me daily. I figure I broke the rules to get here, and I can break the rules to get back.
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  #8   ^
Old Thu, Oct-18-01, 18:08
Erin4980's Avatar
Erin4980 Erin4980 is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 563
 
Plan: Atkins/ Protein Power
Stats: 173/140/140 Female 69.5
BF:2ndX w/ Atkins
Progress: 100%
Location: Memphis, TN
Default If you are still wondering abotu the effects of situps...

I have also wondered why I should build up my stomach muscles even though I have a huge layer of fat covering them but there are some great side effects:

As Nat said, it is awesome for your back, but it also does this:
I'm not sire if you have this problem, but my mom calls it a "butt in the front" (the area below the belly button, where your stomach kinds of bubbles out, I think this mainly effects women that have had children, however I have one and I have no children )...well if you do exercises strengthening that area (lower-abdominals), it pulls the "butt in the front" in. This also makes your posture look much better too
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  #9   ^
Old Fri, Oct-19-01, 05:55
Natrushka Natrushka is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 11,512
 
Plan: IF +LC
Stats: 287/165/165 Female 66"
BF:
Progress: 100%
Default sit ups

the advice I got from a trainer was to ditch the situps, they can be hard on the back and don't work the abs all that well. Do crunches instead, much easier and they isolate the abs so you get a good workout. Reverse crunches work the lower abs and are a very small movement. I have a great link on my computer at home to some examples if you're interested.

Nat
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  #10   ^
Old Fri, Oct-19-01, 09:58
Erin4980's Avatar
Erin4980 Erin4980 is offline
Senior Member
Posts: 563
 
Plan: Atkins/ Protein Power
Stats: 173/140/140 Female 69.5
BF:2ndX w/ Atkins
Progress: 100%
Location: Memphis, TN
Default

I meant crunches, I haven't done a situp in atleast 7 years.
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