My abs need work!

[ksflygirl]

Hi everyone. This is my first day here at the forum. I started weight lifting four months ago to firm and tone up from having my three kids. I am having success in all areas except my lower abs. My upper abs are getting definition while my lower abs are still loose and even becoming bulky now. I went to the training section of the forum and told them the exercises I had been doing and they said it has to be my diet. Can someone please help! I bought a bikini that I really want to get into this summer!

 

[Brian_m35]

Hey w8lifter, I think she could really use some of your expertise here. I ran into her on the Men's Health board and suggested she try getting her answers from here.

 

[Arnold]

Let's see your current diet! (that's what w8lifter will ask you).

 

[ksflygirl]

Ok. This is a typical day for me. I start off with a protein shake and a piece of fruit either a bannana, apple, orange or canteloupe for breakfast. I drink a big glass of h20 at mid morning, then for lunch I have a low-fat chicken salad and baked potato and more h20 for lunch, at mid day I break down and have a veggie snack like carrots or celery along with a glass of milk or another protein shake, then evening time I have either a lean portion of steak and veggies or pork and veggies. I'm not much of a fruit or sweet either. I do occassionally find myself craving carbs though. I give in to baked chips and salsa sometimes in the evening. What am I doing that is keeping that extra layer on? Remember I'm just starting out and don't really know too much about what I am doing yet.

 

[w8lifter]

LOL @ Prince...am I that predictable

Thanks Brian

I don't know who said it, but abs are made in the kitchen, not the gym! If you want abs, you've got to shed the layer of fat that is covering them.

So, your diet could use a bit of work...we need stats from you too.

First, you need to increase your water...not sure what you're getting now, but it's likely not enough Aim for 6 litres.

Your diet is kinda high in sugar. For instance, an apple, peach or grapefruit would be better for you than a banana, cantaloupe or orange...actually, I'm not sure on the cantaloupe, I'll have to check on that, but I'm pretty sure, lol.

Baked potatoes are deadly for a cut, carrots aren't the best either. A better alternative would be a sweet potato or yam, brown rice or oats. Dark green veggies such as spinach, romaine lettuce, green pepper, broccoli, celery, etc are excellent slow-burning, high fibre foods to eat.

Milk also has quite a bit of sugar...an alternative, if you're using it in your shakes, is to mix 2-3 tbsp of heavy whipping cream (not whipped cream) w/ your protein shake and add water...you will still get a creamy taste w/o the sugar and the cream will satiate you longer than the milk.

Baked chips are a no-no

Welcome to IM

 

[ksflygirl]

Thank you so much for the reply. I have been eating wrong! I will try to consume less sugar and eat more greens the next six weeks and I will try really hard to give up my chips. I visited your website and you look fantastic!! It's really inspiring for someone just starting out. What keeps you so motivated? I just went through a divorce and turned to fitness to make me feel better about myself. So far it's done wonders. Also, do you have any books that you can recommend for someone just starting that doesn't know too much about how the body works? I'd appreciate it.

 

[w8lifter]

Thanks ks

It's important to find friends and family to support you, that will be your best motivation, and of course, feeling and looking good always helps

Natural Hormonal Enhancement is supposed to be a great book, still haven't read it myself, but I heard great things about it