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Posts: 4,644
5/20/12 8:21 P

I think it depends on the individual. I have flat abs and do ab exercises all the time, to include lots of various crunches.

current weight: 158.6

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153

Posts: 578,968
5/20/12 4:11 A

Nancy is right, there are advantages on training alone, in fact I've been training for years alone, and for the first time in my life I have a training partner that has similar goals as I do. I couldn't find one before because men wouldn't take me seriously and women here don't want anything to do with weights. I've found that having a partner really helps to get me motivated to train, even on days I don't want to! I prefered training alone before but now I really enjoy training with someone else.

As for your stomach flab, don't bother with any back breaking sit ups, I never did one sit up to get my flat stomach. To tell the truth I don't do any ab exercises except for some core work when I do plank and some core strengthening yoga. Crunches and ab work will just harden your abdominal muscles, not get rid of the flab. Getting a flat stomach is more about nutrition, in my case reducing sodium. Have you heard the phrase "abs are made in the kitchen"? I'm almost 51 and my stomach is totally flat, and it's not from doing any sit ups.

Body Fat %: 15.1

25 22.5 20 17.5

15

SparkPoints: (66,499)
Fitness Minutes: (82,993)
Posts: 4,644
5/20/12 12:01 A

I'm 45, too! DiveGoddess is right- it's never too late to become the best you that you can be.

At 45, we have some advantages, one of them being patience. Success doesn't come overnight, and we know it. We also know that it's worth hard work to achieve results.

There are also some advantages to training alone in the gym, the biggest one being that it's really hard to find someone who is available the same times as you. And I don't know about you, but I am on time and if I have a partner who is late it makes me batty. It's taken me literally years to find a partner that works for me for a myriad of reasons. So don't let being partner-less be an excuse NOT to train. Let it instead be an excuse TO train. Really, the biggest advantage to a partner is having someone to spot you on heavy weights, so if you aren't lifting super heavy there isn't much of a need for one, anyhow.

Just my two cents. I'm willing to help and answer questions, too. There are a few of us on here who are very good about answering questions and helping whenever someone needs us. Please don't hesitate to ask questions, either on the board or SparkMailing me. I'll get back to you as soon as I see them.

Also, you enjoy my Facebook group, BetterBody. It's a private group full of lots of knowledgeable people who want nothing more than to help and support each other through fitness. Since it's private you have to request to join, but I or one of my co-leaders will add you as soon as we see the request. We'll add anyone who requests, actually. (Anyone reading this can request, too.) Here's a link that I hope works: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1643755269
66542/

Hope this helps!

current weight: 158.6

197 186 175 164

153

SparkPoints: (58)
Fitness Minutes: (0)
Posts: 8
5/19/12 4:03 A

Oh my,
Thank you so much for the support. I really need it. I've always wanted to get into body building but have been put in my not so happy place by family and so called friends that tell me I can't do it or it's beyond my years and it's rediculous and things that just keep me from going ahead with my dream. I want to do this now more than ever just so I can not only prove to myself that I can do it but to family and those so called friends that want to keep holding me back from reaching any type of goal. I've decided to start a workout with free weights today. I will chart everything I do. My main thing is to rid of this unhealthy belly fat that has been with me for years. Any tips without doing back breaking situps? You are definetly my new inspiration!!! Thank you again.

Posts: 578,968
5/19/12 3:32 A

Hi and welcome!
It's hard to do it alone so you've come to the right place. It's never too late to get back in shape, in fact I got in the best shape of my life at 46 and entered and won my first figure competition next to young women half my age!! Only getting better now at nearly 51!
I'm here to encourage you in any way you need.
Let me know how I can help.

Body Fat %: 15.1

25 22.5 20 17.5

15

SparkPoints: (58)
Fitness Minutes: (0)
Posts: 8
5/19/12 2:59 A

Hello everyone, I've joined this team because I really need the support. I've done many diets in my time and I just can't do it alone any longer. I'm 45 and it gets harder. I want to not only be healthy but buff and just overall looking good at this age. I hate working out alone. I have happy days and sad days. Whatever diet is out there, I've done it. Pills, shots, you name it I've done it. Success...no....I need help guys. I've never asked for it up until now. I'm ready to try anything but I hope my metabolism wants to also. This is a new beginning and challenge for me.