My Flat Abs Experiment

Posted on 02. Mar, 2009 by in My Fitness Updates

Yesterday, I officially reached the beginning of the last 4 weeks of my Turbulence Training transformation contest. While I’m definitely liking the changes that I have made so far, there is always that one problem area that everyone seems to be complaining about – the lower abs. At 16.9% body fat (the last time I checked), I thought that I wouldn’t have this problem anymore but, unfortunately, I still do. So, it’s time to tighten the belt (literally and figuratively) and really focus on putting my goals into action and then some.

So, on Friday, I decided that I will do a little experiment in answering the question:

What does it take to have flat abs?

Thus, “My Flat Abs Experiment” was born.

I don’t even know if this experiment will live up to its name because just like you, I still have a lot to learn even though I feel that I have learned so much already. But, to give some proof of where I am starting, I had my husband take a picture of my abs up close on Sunday morning, March 1st. Here it is:

My abs at 16.9% body fat

My abs at 16.9% body fat

I would post a picture with my face and all but it was Sunday morning. I just had breakfast and I wasn’t “groomed” or anything so, I didn’t want to scare anybody…lol. I think I will save the picture with all of my upper body at the end of this challenge. As you can see, while my abs are peeking through, I’d like to see a bit more definition.

My thoughts lead me to this…

While I have shared with you some of the things that I have learned throughout my fat loss journey, there are still some things that I either:

  • Haven’t talked about in detail
  • Haven’t fully practiced to see its full potential, or
  • Haven’t discussed at all

You see, I am an information hoarder (is there such a thing?). I’m basically saying that I like information – I like knowledge. But, more importantly, I like putting this knowledge into action. I’m going to be honest in saying that, like many people out there, I have a hard time sticking to the “action” part. For this very reason, I want to make a commitment to myself, to other TT Members and to each person who reads my blog that I will completely and wholeheartedly carry out my behavioral goals for the next four weeks.

Why just the next four weeks?

A lot of people have a tough time committing 100% self-discipline for long periods of time. Heck, even the Biggest Loser contestants lose their motivation even with $50,000 dollars at stake right? So, my plan is to complete this challenge in 4 weeks then, create a long-term plan that will work for me on a daily basis.

While looking at my starting goals, I found that there is a need to tweak some of them or add more to them in order to really see even better (hopefully) results. So, I made some actions more specific such as eating certain kinds of food at particular times of the day instead of saying that I will eat “clean.” However, I’d like to keep these changes to myself for now even though I plan to reveal them at the end of this challenge. Some of the concepts I’m trying to follow are from Turbulence Training, Burn the Fat Feed the Muscle, Eat Stop Eat, and Precision Nutrition. Some of my strategies are also pretty simple and available to the general public already just like this article from Project Swole.

As I finish writing this post, I’m excited! At the same time, I am also nervous. I don’t know how good I will be in terms of sticking to my goals but I’m hoping that making my little experiment public just might be the motivation that I need.

How do you think I will do? Please feel free to leave a comment or give me ideas. I’d love to hear from you!

Be Sociable, Share!

Tags: , , ,

  • Andy

    28 days is more than enough time..right now – I can already tell you’ve dropped alot of weight and that tummy looks pretty good to me, Anna.

    I think with the right mindset you’re having…that tone rock solid core will definitely something to witness.

    I know you can do it. You’ve gone this far already… I’m behind you all the way.

    Keep up the fantastic work you’re doing. I’m so proud of you!!

  • http://smoketheblowfish.blogspot.com Mike Z

    As I’m sitting here staring at a picture of a woman’s abs (and they’re not my wife’s), I almost have to question my sanity…almost! Anyhow, there are two things which come to mind immediately…
    A) You are almost there
    B) I can see where the ab muscles are ready to pop.
    You are going to be fine over the next month, guaranteed. My only question is, “what type of exercises are you doing that zone in on the core?”

  • MikeZ

    Check out this link…The Fat Loss Protocol (it’s beyond interesting) http://www.fitnessblackbook.com/low-body-fat-percentage/

  • admin

    Hi Andy and Mike, thanks for your comments. I’m glad that I have you guys with me on this challenge. You too both give me inspiration. I’m thinking if you guys can work hard – I can too!

    Mike, to answer your question: I’m basically doing core work and some ab work like hanging knee raises and such. It’s funny because I planned to read that course by Rusty. I saw it this morning but got busy at work. I will check it out for sure!

    Thanks for your input, guys!

  • Andy

    What program are you using right now, Anna?

  • admin

    Hi Andy, I’m doing 2K5 right now as it has the chins and pulls that I need to work on for my goals. I also like the traditional exercises there like the squats, bench presses, deadlifts, etc.

  • Shantay

    Hey Anna. Nice Abs. I cant wait to see them in 4 weeks!

  • http://WebsiteAddress(Optional) Francis

    The quest for abs continue. You know we all battle with this. I’ve put this on the back burner because trying to get the my abs to pop made me way too skinny. So I’m looking at it from a different angle. By building up muscle mass I think I’ll have better results when I try to go low on the BF%.

    You don’t have that much to lose. See what happens when you do get the abs. I’m sure you’ll succeed. I’m here for ya!!!

    Any reason why you’re not disclosing this “eating certain kinds of food at particular times of the day instead of saying that I will eat “clean.” Just wondering.

  • admin

    Hi Shantay, thanks for stopping by!

    Francis, regarding your question – no particular reason really. I’m just trying things here and there and too lazy to list them all here even though I have them all written down. I can see how building muscle mass will work too. I will most likely go down that route after this challenge. Thanks for the visit!