same here - my abs are really strong. I would have to get very thin, though, to have "flat" abs. I do a lot of strength training exercises while standing on balance discs to engage my core. This keeps all the old bulging discs in my spine secure while I work those many muscles. I also like combining b alance with strength training. - 5/21/2013   6:02:29 AM

my abs are strong and tight but I'll never have the definition you see in adverts. But I'm fine with that. I have a waist and my clothes fit well. I'm strong not skinny, I'm happy with that - 5/21/2013   3:26:40 AM

Look around you, how many do you see with "6 pack abs", really?? And how many people are you going to show yours to, that will care?? Reality bites, people. - 5/20/2013   9:29:55 PM

I did not even try from flat abs until I lost my weight. But, during my weight loss I did a lot of core work and strength training. Last September I started swinging kettlebells for both cardio and strength. Then, when the weight came off, the ab definition was there. For the first time in my life. - 5/20/2013   11:59:14 AM

i'm an older female,just started sparks and always have had trouble with my stomach area, my whole family is apple shape, I HATE IT!!!!!!!!!!!! HELP me - 5/20/2013   10:52:30 AM

I have to try P90X to see what happen. I lost some of my ab but it's not like I want it to be. - 5/20/2013   10:08:40 AM

I think there's a lot of truth to the saying, "Abs are made in the kitchen, not in the gym." For me, it's largely about calories in/calories out and shrinking the overall body fat. - 5/20/2013   7:16:49 AM

What can we do if we cannot do the exercise when we had back surgery and it's not the kind of exercise that I can do? - 7/15/2012   6:57:20 PM

Unfortunately I think I am going to be one of those people who will not ever have 6 pack abs. Don't get me wrong I am not throwing in the towel...I will still work my butt off and be happy with the thinner healthier me! - 7/12/2012   3:14:50 PM

I have such a big belly! A few months ago the nice woman in the bakery asked me if I was pregnant, and my belly wasn't half as big as now. I've always had problems with this part of my body, but now it's gone really out of control... I think I won't go to the beach this year, I can't imagine losing all that fat (or whatever it is) in 4 weeks... - 7/12/2012   12:08:09 PM

I am embarrassed by people mistakingly thinking I am pregnant!! Agh! =) I am currently taking green coffee extract 800 mgs twice daily. It seems to help? I would also like to hear Miss JM's thoughts on the subject too... She is so tough!
My favorite ab/core exercise is just dancing- zumba or bellydance. I do this one hip lift roll move 50 times on both sides everyday. It seems to help my obliques. The trainers I worked with had me do lots of floor work, but no crunches; lot's of leg raises and planks. LOL Must be helping.=) Nobody has been asking me how far along I am. - 7/11/2012   5:59:30 PM

I found that since adding pilates to my workout last year my body especially my core is much leaner!!! - 7/11/2012   8:31:15 AM

my elusive dream - 7/10/2012   6:50:11 PM

I have used the Jillian Micheals DVD's to help whittle the middle. But I still seem to have that extra skin/fat the drops below the waistline into a pooch. Having 9 pound babies is probably the reason. - 7/10/2012   4:50:54 PM

My abs are my biggest problem. Also that is where the skin was stretched when I got pregnant with my first child. I'm wondering how to keep from having that hanging skin if I can reduce the fat on my stomach. Also I just read an article on Thi Chi (not sure I spelled that right) & I wonder if that would be good for flat abs. - 7/10/2012   2:05:14 PM

I love doing weighted Roman twists. Add in a simultaneous "boat pose" and this hits everything at once. - 7/10/2012   2:02:48 PM

My favorite ab exercise is definately the jack knife on Wii Fit Plus. I really love to challenge the "trainer"! - 7/10/2012   1:17:52 PM

the plank is one of my fav. - 7/10/2012   12:40:50 PM

Abs are a tricky area to get just right. I'm not a fan of the traditional crunch, but there are several ways to work your core. My fav? The hula hoop:-)
Check out my other tricks too. canilivelovely.com/ - 7/7/2012   9:38:02 PM

But I always thought the key to a slimmer waist was more CARDIO. (you even said so in your articles). Spot reduction does not work. - 7/7/2012   1:56:43 AM

"Are you one of the many people that has trouble achieving flat abs?"

Hahahaha, how would I know? Gotta get rid of the cushy covering first!!! :-) - 7/6/2012   12:45:33 PM

LIZABAKER: Can you share the J. Michaels' advice about eating for flat abs? - 7/6/2012   10:45:37 AM

I do a huge variety of ab/core exercises, but not much seemed to help until I found the eating advice in Jillian Michaels' MASTER YOUR METABOLISM very helpful - have gotten rid of a lot of belly fat by following that advice. - 7/6/2012   7:37:30 AM

I do lots of planks, workouts on the ball, use bands and I think I have fairly strong abs but it sure does not look like it. - 7/6/2012   12:02:07 AM

in my group power weight lifting class we do ab workouts on an incline bench. I love doing those. I also love doing ab workouts with a 10 lb.weight plate. - 7/5/2012   7:18:05 PM

My abs are my biggest problem. I do lots of cardio and strength training with no changes to my stomach. I have strong muscular legs and tones arms but I look like an apple on a stck. As a summer goal I have changed my eating habits. My July goal is to up the core work using my foal roller and ball.



- 7/5/2012   3:19:30 PM

I think the real point here is to work on those abs to strengthen your core muscles. Better to have a healthy back and better posture, etc. in the long run. And we're in it for the long run, aren't we? - 7/5/2012   2:51:19 PM

Since you can't spot tone as Spark People has said, then flat abs are just another way of saying flat-out-ABusive. (Where's my arched eybrow emoticon when I need it?) - 7/5/2012   2:04:35 PM

My adult children do the P90X and now P90X2 work out and certainly have flat abs. But you have to have the fat off as my son says in order for people to see them. Tony Horton is "the man." - 7/5/2012   8:33:23 AM