I hope this isn't a stupid question...

[NoUsername]

I understand that in order to see abs it is mostly in the kitchen, and then the rest is building the ab muscle. You have to get rid of fat to see the abs obviously. My question is how big do ab muscles really grow?

I am tall and somewhat lanky...and still cannot really see my abs. Yet I have seen people on here who are much wider than me (and by that I mean from their back to their stomach) and yet it is mostly muscle so you see the abs even though they aren't thin like me.

So the question once again, instead of cutting the fat I want to turn that into muscle so that I don't lose weight when trying to see my abs. Can I turn the small flab around my stomach into muscle so I can see the abs?

[.V.]

No you can't.

Fat and muscle are two different things. All you can do is build more muscle. Since you said you are tall and lanky, I imagine that excess fat really isn't your problem. Just start working your abs like you would any other muscle - heavy to make them strong and big.

Personally I reccomend three sets of two exercises with 6-10 reps. Use a weight you can only get 6 with then the next time, do 6 and so on when you can do 10 easily increase the weight. My favorites are crunches on a decline with weight on my chest and kneeling cable crunches. There are plenty of others though...just pick what you like and do them.

Oh, and the old thing about intentionally overtraining your abs to keep them from getting too big is just silly. Yeah, they do take a few more reps than other body parts because they have to be worked with such strict isolation, but still no need to do them more than once or twice a week.

[etothepii]

For the first time in my life, I am seeing my abs. It all has to do with fat loss. Yes, I work out my abs. I do sets of sit ups, hanging leg raises, crunches, and Russian twists, all weighted. I'm all for adding muscle mass (or not losing muscle mass while losing fat), where ever it may be.

Turning fat into muscle is not possible, as Welch said. It's sort of a common, colorful description of a body transformation that too many people take literally.

[LiftGirl]

What's your weight-training routine like?

I didn't start to see my abs until I started doing squats and DLs. Those hit your abs HARD!

[Maxgain]

yup i got abs from squats never direxctly work them except when building core strength

[NoUsername]

Well I don't know if I would call myself lanky. I am about 6'3ish and 180ish. I am not a stick by any imagination as I have a little bit of flab over my abs, and I don't think I look terribly thin...I think it's hard to not look kind of skinny at my height unless you weigh a good amount.

[.V.]

Originally Posted by NoUsername

I am tall and somewhat lanky...

Sure you would.

From your description, if you concentrate on eating clean and building muscle - you should see them soon enough.

[abarlament]

Regardless, eating clean has nothing to do with seeing your abs.

[NoUsername]

Originally Posted by a_welch503

Sure you would.

From your description, if you concentrate on eating clean and building muscle - you should see them soon enough.

Originally Posted by abarlament

Regardless, eating clean has nothing to do with seeing your abs.

Whoa...so which is it? Ugh, this is always so confusing...why do I bother.

[SoulDoubt]

you could eat clean , but eat 5000 calories

I think what they are saying is you need to eat clean and also mind
caloric intake while doing so.

[.V.]

Originally Posted by SoulDoubt

you could eat clean , but eat 5000 calories

I think what they are saying is you need to eat clean and also mind
caloric intake while doing so.

Correct. My apologies for not being specific enough. If you are weight training to build muscle, doing good cardiovascular activity AND keeping your diet in check by eating the correct amount of nutrients you need - it will work out well for you. If you create a slight caloric deficit, you will burn fat and see your abs. If you create a caloric excess you will build. It is possible to build muscle while burning fat - but it is hard.

If you eat a big excess - more than your body is using to make muscle - you end up storing the extra as fat. Definitely not the result you are looking for.

Make yourself a healthy eating plan based on the nutrition calculators with a good balance of protein, carbohydrate, and healthy fats - and keep an eye on the mirror. In a month or two if you are seeing more abs - keep things the same. If you are seeing less abs/more fat, make adjustments by eating less, lifting with more intensity, or increasing the cardio. If you see that you are losing muscle - eat even more.

[Klinger]

Originally Posted by NoUsername

Whoa...so which is it? Ugh, this is always so confusing...why do I bother.

It's very easy, actually. Stripping body fat is done by putting in less energy (read: food and beverage calories) than you expend through activity (daily life, exercise).

When you do eat, make smart choices and time your nutrition. Lots of great info here by cursor on nutrition and when to eat what. It takes some study but it'll become second nature if you decide to learn it.

EDIT: Andy just gave a lot better summary than I did. He beat me to it.

[cursor]

Originally Posted by NoUsername

Ugh, this is always so confusing...why do I bother

Don't give up too easily ... If you'll hold on just a bit, NoUsername, I'll put together something relatively comprehensive for you. But first, answer the following for me:

1. Do you lift weights? If so, what do you do, how often, and at what time of day?
2. Do you perform cardio or aerobic exercise? If so, what do you do, how often, and at what time of day?
3. What kind of eating habits do you currently have? How much do you eat, and what kinds of foods?