Hey there,
thank you for taking the time to read this. Alright im sure plenty of people ask questions related to abs so im sorry if this is repetitive.Ive been working out since last summer, im 18 133 lbs 5'9. I work out 3-4 times a week... usually work my abs on at least 2 of my off days, maybe more, or when im at the gym. So i notice recently i can see my abs when i pull my stomach down some.. and its not like the perfect abs but they still make me excited, i posted some pictures to show you guys. Any advice on how to make it so i dont have to pull my skin down to see them? And/or define them more, they're hard to see in some light. Oh and i'm diabetic so my diet is pretty good to begin with. thanks!







oh ps. if you're wondering what my ab work out is. My main course consist of sit ups, crunches, leg lifts, captain's chair's leg lifts, bicycle maneuver, and weighted sit ups. Thanks!

Lower Body fat.

There's a few things you can do...

If you want your abs to be constantly showing you will have to get VERY low body fat. It will be a lot of incredibly hard work and in my opinion SHOULD NOT be your goal right now.

In my opinion you should concentrate on building muscle tissue right now before you start trying to get incredibly lean.

I think your way too skinny (or not muscular enough) to be trying to lose fat right now.

Let me know what you will do...

thank you for your reply. how do i build ab muscles? just the regular ab workouts? or should i do more weighted things?

I was talking about building muscle body wide, not just abdominal muscles..

to answer your question: You gotta progressively load your muscles with more weight/reps, etc...

I think you're barking up the wrong tree. Don't focus on muscle, but movement patterns.

Probably the most intense ab work I have ever done has been band-resisted front squats with kettlebells! Work your transverse plane. Quit doing crunches and all that other stuff. Just use your abs with the rest of your body on big movements and they will show up just fine, plus they'll do more than just look good, they'll do their job in stabilizaing your trunk and protecting your back.

Well, if your diet is already good, like you said.

Then, you need to work on lowering your body fat. How?

- As before mentioned diet

-Build muscle by strength training

-Cardio, but don't waste your time with low-intensity cardio

Finally, strengthen your ab muscle with a variety of exercises, so once you lower your body fat. You'll have defined abs!

You can learn more here How to Get Abs Fast

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Best Ab Exercise Routines to Get a Six Pack or Flat Abs

exactly what i was gonna reply. just hit compound movements and train your abs like any other muscle. Just remember, you will need to be in a calorie surplus to build muscle. so you will be gaining weight. Rep +1

would it make sense to get my body fat low first and get the abs to show, then bulk up?

man 133 is way too skinny. if your bf goes lower you are going to risk being even worse. plus if you dont have muscle down there then nothing is going to show anyways. Just bulk up first. get more ab muscles, then cut and you will be even more happy.

yeah im not so sure that my body fat is really 8% i didnt really trust the trainer at school who did it.. Know where i can get an accurate test?

update, i used an online body fat calculator with my tape measure, and it said my body fat is about 17%

Sounds a bit too high, and can't really tell with your pictures because of the lighting.
I'd say more around 13-15% but i ain't no expert.

i guess time'll tell.
I just bought some whey protein today for the first time (first supplement).