Abs in 18 days

[sillyanswer]

Have any of you ever tried any of those "abs in 18 days" (or "21" or some other unfeasibly-low-sounding numbers) programmes? Did you go from no abs to some abs?

 

I already have a slim/athletic build and an active lifestyle but I've never bothered trying to develop muscle definition just for the sake of it (or for the look of it), preferring instead to just enjoy the sports I already do, but I seem to have some free time on my hands for a few weeks and don't want to spend all of it on Loveshack.

 

So my question is... can you really go from a flat tummy with no visibly defined abs to having visibly defined abs in only a few weeks?

 

and how much is this going to hurt?

[Mr Scorpio]

If it sounds too good to be true.

 

I suppose if you already had been doing planks, weighted leg-raises, etc such that your abs were already developed, and then you somehow lost a significant amount of weight without losing the mass in your abs, it would be feasible.

 

I will defer to our resident experts on the matter.

[tman666]

Have any of you ever tried any of those "abs in 18 days" (or "21" or some other unfeasibly-low-sounding numbers) programmes? Did you go from no abs to some abs?

 

I already have a slim/athletic build and an active lifestyle but I've never bothered trying to develop muscle definition just for the sake of it (or for the look of it), preferring instead to just enjoy the sports I already do, but I seem to have some free time on my hands for a few weeks and don't want to spend all of it on Loveshack.

 

So my question is... can you really go from a flat tummy with no visibly defined abs to having visibly defined abs in only a few weeks?

 

and how much is this going to hurt?

 

Let's say you're at around 11 or 12 percent bodyfat right now. It may be feasible to see some ab definition after 18 or 21 days given the right conditions. Bodybuilders often will go on short term extreme diets/diuretics and what not for a week or so before a contest to appear leaner and dryer on stage.

 

That said, the key here is "short term". It's simply not a sustainable (or healthy) thing. I would imagine that any short term ab program like you mentioned is probably similar, if it works at all. The only way I can see this working would be if you're already at a low enough body fat percentage where you could push your body into it (in which case, why do you need a special program in the first place?).

 

Even if it did work, what happens on day 19?

 

If you're already fairly lean, but want to be leaner, I would make subtle changes to your diet, keep the resistance training up, and maybe try something like intermittent fasting.

 

 

 

Cliffs:

 

-probably not something worth spending money on

-short term programs and diets bring short term results

[sillyanswer]

If it sounds too good to be true.

 

Yes, that was my thought, too.

[sillyanswer]

Even if it did work, what happens on day 19?

 

Celebratory pizza and beers, thus reversing all the good work, of course!

 

 

Thanks for your other comments, too.

[hppr]

I am a guy who is naturally pot bellied. I work out like a MOTHER****ER and have for 3 years. I've done steroid cycles, weight lifting/bodybuilding programs and all sorts of other things. I went from 145 and 15% fat to 190lbs and less than 10%. Do stomach vacuums, crunches, jog daily, eat healthy, etc.

 

The ONLY time I saw anything resembling a six pack down there was when I injected a 'fat burner' steroid directly into my belly. It made my muscles bulge out and I had a six pack but it was way too expensive, like 300$ a month so I quit using it and now I have a flat/semi fatty little stomach instead.

 

So yeah I'd love to hear about this abs in 18 days miracle workout.

 

BTW ladies...whenever you see one of those bodybuilders or sexy dudes with a big, well-defined six pack and get all gooey...unless he is 18 and naturally skinny that is steroids and liposuction/fat surgery

Edited August 6, 2013 by hppr

[sillyanswer]

Let's say you're at around 11 or 12 percent bodyfat right now.

 

I have no idea what my bodyfat percentage is.

 

... time passes ...

 

Based on the method of comparing what I think I look like (haha!) with some photos on the Internet that claim to be labelled with their bodyfat percentage... I'd guess that I'm between 13% and 18%.

 

Based on a couple of tape-measure and scales calculations I get 15% or 16%.

 

I gather there are more accurate methods! But it's definitely more than 11 or 12%.

[thefooloftheyear]

Nope......

 

unless you want to go this route...

 

 

 

Just being lean doesnt guarantee you will get a traditional "six pack"...It takes work, and some genetics as well to be blessed with a defined midsection..

 

 

TFY

[sillyanswer]

So yeah I'd love to hear about this abs in 18 days miracle workout.

 

In the UK the front cover of Men's Health magazine (august) has the enticing words "18 DAY ABS!" and in smaller type "One Move, Rapid Results (It Hurts But It Works)".

 

I'm making no promises as to the miracle nature of the workout, though. Haven't read the details, either.

[sillyanswer]

Nope......

 

unless you want to go this route...

 

 

 

That's brilliant! I think I have a sharpie somewhere so I'll go the "draw them on" route.

[tman666]

I have no idea what my bodyfat percentage is.

 

... time passes ...

 

Based on the method of comparing what I think I look like (haha!) with some photos on the Internet that claim to be labelled with their bodyfat percentage... I'd guess that I'm between 13% and 18%.

 

Based on a couple of tape-measure and scales calculations I get 15% or 16%.

 

I gather there are more accurate methods! But it's definitely more than 11 or 12%.

 

My experience is that estimating bodyfat percentage is largely an exercise in futility. It's a tough number to pin down without some pretty sophisticated equipment that most people do not have access to.

 

Ballpark estimates are fine in assisting a person with what strategy they should use to achieve their goals. For example, a person with their top two abs showing (with some fat on their lower backs and belly) is going to go about planning their nutrition plan and training differently than someone who is blatantly obese, or even someone who is basically just all-around soft looking but isn't large enough to be considered obese (skinny-fat).

 

Beyond that, my opinion is that it's another one of those things that people tend obsess over despite it being of limited importance and value.

[sillyanswer]

My experience is that estimating bodyfat percentage is largely an exercise in futility. It's a tough number to pin down without some pretty sophisticated equipment that most people do not have access to.

 

Glad I didn't spend too long on that, then.

[Star Gazer]

BTW ladies...whenever you see one of those bodybuilders or sexy dudes with a big, well-defined six pack and get all gooey...unless he is 18 and naturally skinny that is steroids and liposuction/fat surgery

 

Uh, sorry, but this is BS. Just because you're naturally pot bellied and can't get abs without steroids or surgery doesn't mean other guys can't. I know TONS of guys with very defined abs who didn't do those things.

 

Shoot, even Soldier Boy went to Afgh nearly chubby and came back with something that looked like as 12-pack, and I promise he wasn't visiting a plastic surgeon or doing steroids.

[tbf]

Let's say you're at around 11 or 12 percent bodyfat right now. It may be feasible to see some ab definition after 18 or 21 days given the right conditions. Bodybuilders often will go on short term extreme diets/diuretics and what not for a week or so before a contest to appear leaner and dryer on stage.

I used to know a couple who were competitive body builders. Close to competition time, they would only eat plain rice and steamed tuna or chicken breast.

[EasyHeart]

Getting defined abs is almost completely a matter of getting your body fat low enough.

 

If you ever want to see a group of people with amazing six-packs, just look up pictures of concentration camp survivors. Those guys had amazing abs!!!

[Babolat]

Uh, sorry, but this is BS. Just because you're naturally pot bellied and can't get abs without steroids or surgery doesn't mean other guys can't. I know TONS of guys with very defined abs who didn't do those things.

 

Shoot, even Soldier Boy went to Afgh nearly chubby and came back with something that looked like as 12-pack, and I promise he wasn't visiting a plastic surgeon or doing steroids.

 

Dido...no magic pills here and I have a nice 6 pack and the V on the inside of my hips. Lots of ab exercises PLUS cardio. No matter how great the muscles are you have to get the fat off of them!