STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

poptart · Coach

abs made in the kitchen?

lynnie · Chanel

My stomach has always been skinny. Its just how I was naturally built and it is the first place to lose weight (in addition to boobs and butt, sigh). I gain weight in my thighs and arms. I think that genetics is a HUGE part of it. However, the same way that I know that I will never have Heidi Klum's legs- I know that I CAN make them look nicer by eating well and exercising. I think to get flat abs, first you need to lose weight all over by cardio, then you actually have to work the abs to develop your muscles. I like those exercise balls for that- crunches on those things are so much harder and really support your back. Also, I try to stay away from refined carbs/sugars (doesn't always work so well) and things that make me bloated. And beer! There are a lot of girls (and boys!) that simply just have beer guts. I never had that problem though because I don't drink too often, but if i've been drinking every night for a few days, I start to feel pudgey in my stomach. I can't imagine what I would look like if that was my lifestyle.

Maven · BCBG

As I've gotten older I've found that carbs indeed do have a big effect on the size of my tummy, which was never flat to begin with. Salty carbs, combined with premenstrual hormones are the worst.

A warning about abdominal exercises: make absolutely sure that you are doing them correctly, and don't overwork the muscles. You can build up those muscles and make the problem worse. In the long run, you've got to keep your body fat levels at a reasonable level, which means aerobic exercise along with those crunches.

poptart · Coach

Thanks for the insights, girls. Maven, I am wondering if I am noticing this b/c I'm pulling up on 30...

My tummy has never been flat, but lately it seems like I'm working harder than ever and seeing fewer results. My body fat is pretty good - one notch below the best level in the chart my trainer has - and I do plenty of cardio, weights, and pilates (so I've been trained to work my abs correctly). I'm just not seeing the same results. I have decided to cut refined carbs and see for myself if it makes a difference, b/c I definitely eat too much sugar/candy.

jen · Kate Spade

Genetics I think account for a large sum of how easy/hard it is to get good abs BUT I do think aside from that that abs are 80% made in the kitchen. This means far more than carbs. If you work out, you need carbs and if you want abs I assume you work out. But yes, crappy carbs are bad just as crappy meats are bad. Then of course, 20% is exercise which is probably 18% cardio. You can do crunches allllll day and you're never going to see your ab muscles if there is a layer of fat over them so cardio is key. Once the layer of fat is gone, you should be able to see your abd by doing minimal reps 2-3 days a week. HTH!