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lyssvchill
Question:
How do I make lower stomach fat into abs?
I can define and shape my upper abs but anything I do doesn't define or shape my lower abs. What can I do?
Asked by lyssvchill - 6 answers - 6 weeks 7 hours ago
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Chris Protheore
It has been shown that when performing abdominal exercises that the whole of the abs is activated - there is no lower / upper activation.
It is common for people to have 'defined' upper abs, but not lower abs, but the definition of abs is mostly down to body fat levels.
In order to get defined abs, you need to reduce body fat. Body fat generally burns off pretty evenly around the body, so this requires total fat loss.
However, people are genetically determined to have more fat in certain areas than others - e.g. women tend to have more fat cells around the hips (pear shape), and men have more fat cells on the gut (apple shape). Also, generally people have more fat cells around the lower / centre of their bellies.
In order to improve ab definition, you need to carry on with your crunches, and also lose a bit more fat. (P.S. Tests have shown lower / upper activation differences, but very slight and considered ineffective when it comes to hypertrophy / strength).
Submitted 6 weeks 28 min ago by Chris Protheorescousemouse78
CV is king for fat loss. Forget these articles saying do intervals for top fat burning... you need to build up your endurance fitness as this uses your aerobic energy system predominantly and your body becomes more efficient at burning fat as fuel.
You should do more intense aerobic fitness too to overload the body.
Submitted 5 weeks 5 days ago by scousemouse78buttershap
Long steady running or cardio wastes time and effort and is not now thought of as the best fat remover. It improves endurance but some kind of high/low inensity work is now preferred.
Your body fat covers your body variously, with the stomach /abs area the first to arrive and the last to go. (thought to be a survival mechanism to protect the internal organs.)
Submitted 5 weeks 5 days ago by buttershapr.j.b.andrade
This question appears to be common in all type of physical practitioners. so, before the answer, take a look at any elite athlete and see their middle section. probably you will see a lower "stomach" fat, especially in female athletes. this happen because the human body store the fat mostly in two locals, the waist and the butts. it's a problem of genetic... no human can change it (yet). The fat store in the the "stomach" zone is a visceral fat, so is deep fat and hard to remove. It's impossible to turn fat in muscle, you have to remove the fat first so that you can see the beautiful ABS. You have to think like this: if we have much fat accumulated in one area, the fat from that area is the first to get out (result of a regular training). The most effective exercise to this objective is clearly established, no spot exercises, but yes generally cardiovascular exercise, you have to elevate your hearth rate. SO KEEP IN MIND: "Low fat is a result of good behavioral habits, keep good frequency of exercise with a good nutritional plan and you will see results"
Submitted 5 weeks 4 days ago by r.j.b.andradejosie.mckenlay
As said above, fat cannot be turned to muscle and well toned muscle won't be seen under a layer of fat. I would suggest a varied aerobic and anaerobic programme. Try to do something different each day to keep motivated, avoid overuse injury and "surprise" the body. Watch your diet: low fat and low in simple carbs. But one thing that hasn't been mentioned is Pilates: I have been exercising in one form or another since my teens (check my profile) and the only form of exercise that gave me a flat lower abdomen is Pilates. It is this that made me persevere with it and I now specialise in this area of training. Many other benefits too!
Submitted 2 weeks 6 days ago by josie.mckenlayKieran.C
an exercise for your lower abdominal is leg raises do these for lower abs but as a general rule sit-ups and crunches tend to work your full pack you can also do "side bends" for your obliques but remember you cant get great abs from just exercise, it's important to have a good diet as well, i hope this helps with your problem :)
-Kieran.C
Submitted 2 weeks 6 days ago by Kieran.C