2007/04/10, 05:20 PM
At what point should I see some definition?
I'm female, so its tricky to figure out when I should see some results! My abs are very nice and flat, I just wish they looked a little more muscular.
I'm 5'8", 123lbs, and about 18% bf. I eat very well, about 1500-1600 cals/day. I'm a vegetarian (not vegan), though I eat about 90-100g protein, and a ton of fruits and veggies. I lift free weights 2x a week, and do abs both days. i do another 3-4 cardio sessions also. for my abs, I do 2 sets of 12 with weighted slow cruches on my stability ball, and then 2 sets of 12 of weighted obliques. I do a lot of other exercises on the stability ball too, and I try to engage my abs through out the day while at my desk or even walking while at work.
I'd love some advice, and I'm very happy to have found this site!
Thanks!
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2007/04/10, 10:35 PM
12% you should see slight abs 10% you gots the abs yo
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2007/04/12, 02:54 PM
I am a wrestling coach and girls are not allowed below 12% body fat because it affects there menstral cycle so you had better be careful
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2007/04/12, 03:57 PM
I agree- 12% and 10% perhaps for men, but women naturally have a higher bodyfat % ...
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2007/04/12, 04:40 PM
What does your lifting routine look like? If you want to build a muscular body, you need to be pushing/pulling some serious wt. with your whole body. At 5.8 and 123lbs, your pretty lean and will need to build up your muscle mass all over to see some abs.
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2007/04/13, 01:52 PM
thanks-
well, I didn't think I was going to have to get that low. I thought it was going to be higher than 10-12% for women. I don't want to look anymore muscular. This photo is from when I was about 10lbs heavier. (It uploaded the wrong one and I cant get it off) I have a little definition in my arms, back, shoulders. My abs have a little bit of structure, and it doesn't feel like there is much flab there. Maybe I do just need to lift a bit more.
I'm only lifting 2-3 days a week doing two sets of one exercise for each group. I don't have more than about 5 hrs a week total to exercise, and I do at least 1/2 to 2/3 total of my sessions as cardio. Maybe I need to investigate a personal trainer.
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