Abs!!!!!!!!

[zizi]

I've only lost 6 lbs. since starting over, but I can see my upper abs becoming defined again!!! I've been working-out on my Total Gym, my Treadclimber, and the AbCoaster as often as possible. I KNOW muscle weighs more than fat, but I'd sure like the scale to move. The spouse says I'm looking thinner, but the only difference I see is in my upper abs. And it IS nice to see some ab definition again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now if only that scale would move...

[BrianSCohen]

Originally Posted by zizi

I've only lost 6 lbs. since starting over, but I can see my upper abs becoming defined again!!! I've been working-out on my Total Gym, my Treadclimber, and the AbCoaster as often as possible. I KNOW muscle weighs more than fat, but I'd sure like the scale to move. The spouse says I'm looking thinner, but the only difference I see is in my upper abs. And it IS nice to see some ab definition again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now if only that scale would move...

The plain fact is that if you are lean enough to actually see your first abs, and you have not worked out, you are unlikely to see major weight loss as you diet and exercise. As a newbie, you may well be able to build while losing fat. There is only a modest different in body composition between actually seeing your first ab and seeing the definition you desire. A better measure will be bodyfat. You may well actually gain weight.

ps. You don't really build abs definitionb with isolated abs exercises, you build them in the kitchen with your diet. Your abs muscles will grow with the rest of bodies muscle mass. If they did grow with isolated exercise, everyone would be walking around with huge 48" muscular bellies.

[zizi]

Brian,

Thanks for your reply, but I'm a bit confused by your post. I'm not new to this WOE or to working-out. As a chubby child who became an obese teen, working-out vigorously on the Total Gym, combined with diet, gave me real ab definition for the first time (first time was many years ago and I've recovered those abs with the Total Gym too many times to list). I've been anorexic, bulemic, etc. Having gained and lost so much weight repeatedly over the course of my lifetime, there's NO way I would have gotten the well-defined abs I've had and will have again without my Total Gym and other ab-specific exercises. With the exception of lipo, I guess! ;-) For me, ab definition is not possible by diet alone!!!!!!!!!

Best,

Z

[BrianSCohen]

Originally Posted by zizi

Brian,

Thanks for your reply, but I'm a bit confused by your post. I'm not new to this WOE or to working-out. As a chubby child who became an obese teen, working-out vigorously on the Total Gym, combined with diet, gave me real ab definition for the first time (first time was many years ago and I've recovered those abs with the Total Gym too many times to list). I've been anorexic, bulemic, etc. Having gained and lost so much weight repeatedly over the course of my lifetime, there's NO way I would have gotten the well-defined abs I've had and will have again without my Total Gym and other ab-specific exercises. With the exception of lipo, I guess! ;-) For me, ab definition is not possible by diet alone!!!!!!!!!

Best,

Z

I am glad for you. I'm sorry if I characterized you wrongly as a beginner to this adventure. I am pleased that you have made such great progress. I will repeat what I have said. You are not going to get the rest of your abs through isolation exercises, your remaining six pack will reveal itself when you get leaner. You primarily get leaner through your diet, but if you pack on muscle, everything else equal, you also get leaner.

[zizi]

Brian,

I've been unhealthily gaunt and had no ab definition! Only got ab definition with my Total Gym and other ab-specific work-outs. Your mileage may vary!

Best,

Z

[zizi]

Brian,

On an unrelated note. Is your "screen name" based upon Monty Python's "Life of Brian"?

Best,

Z

[sugarless4life]

[COLOR="Red"]Muscle does NOT weigh more than fat[/COLOR]; it simply takes up less space since muscle is more DENSE than fat. That is why you lose inches as you increase your muscle mass.

Having said that, congratulations!

Betty

[zizi]

THANKS, BETTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To be more prescise, I meant it's not unusual for the scale to not move, or to even show an increase, when one is building muscle mass.

[sugarless4life]

Originally Posted by zizi

THANKS, BETTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WELCOME!