Hello all, I’m new here and I’m not even sure I’m posting in the right section, so ignore this if I am and please excuse my stupid questions!
What I’m basically wanting is more definition in my abs (heck I’d like more definition and muscle everywhere!), I’ve read and re-read articles, columns and just general advice and keep finding the same basic info…lower your bodyfat %. Now I’m not sure of my bodyfat percentage have never had it checked, ordered some caliphers so later I can attempt to have a better idea, for now though I’ve used a few of the ‘free’ BF % that are available online (and yea I know they’re probably pure BS) and I’m getting results that vary anywhere from 14%-30%, and I’m really hoping the 30% wasn’t right! Lol
But anyhow back to my problem, I want my abs to show through more, but and this sounds crazy I don’t want to lose weight to do it, I’m already scrawny enough, I’m 22 5’5” and weigh 104lbs…my whole life I’ve had problems gaining weight and putting on muscle, and I know its not my diet, I eat healthy was raised a Vegan and still stick to a lot of that idea though I’m careful to make sure I get all the nutrients I need, only drink water, and most of the time my calories and carb intake is much higher than most people’s. I refer to myself as scrawny though that probably isn’t true, perhaps lean is a better term, I have muscle tone it’s just not huge and explosive muscle tone.
When I started exercising I weighted 108, and quickly dropped 5lbs when I didn’t really want to, though if it came off that easy maybe it was just unnecessary fat? Granted I’ve also never specifically tried to work my abs out, I’ve only been doing crunches and other various exercises for about 3-4 weeks, so I know I won’t see results this soon but I’ve also always been involved in sports ie gymnastics, tennis, horseback riding….so basically I just wanted your opinions on this, should I just go head and try to bring my weight down that way my abs show through better or do I just need to exercise more intensely?
Right now I exercise every other day on my abs, crunches (usually two sets of 25-30 reps), stuff for the obliques, and other general stuff for my arms, legs and back, I also try to run/jog a couple of miles a few days a week; I also work horses several times a week, and yes that take a lot of energy and muscle control!
Any ideas for adding muscle mass would be wonderful! Forgot too…I don’t really have any equipment lol, use mostly free weights 8-15lbs (the 15lbs wears me out quick within 10-15 reps) and use my own body weight. What I’m wanting is to be in better shape, mostly for my horseback riding, I need to have a little more leverage against those 1200lb horses! lol
Thanks much!
Tess
What I’m basically wanting is more definition in my abs (heck I’d like more definition and muscle everywhere!), I’ve read and re-read articles, columns and just general advice and keep finding the same basic info…lower your bodyfat %. Now I’m not sure of my bodyfat percentage have never had it checked, ordered some caliphers so later I can attempt to have a better idea, for now though I’ve used a few of the ‘free’ BF % that are available online (and yea I know they’re probably pure BS) and I’m getting results that vary anywhere from 14%-30%, and I’m really hoping the 30% wasn’t right! Lol
But anyhow back to my problem, I want my abs to show through more, but and this sounds crazy I don’t want to lose weight to do it, I’m already scrawny enough, I’m 22 5’5” and weigh 104lbs…my whole life I’ve had problems gaining weight and putting on muscle, and I know its not my diet, I eat healthy was raised a Vegan and still stick to a lot of that idea though I’m careful to make sure I get all the nutrients I need, only drink water, and most of the time my calories and carb intake is much higher than most people’s. I refer to myself as scrawny though that probably isn’t true, perhaps lean is a better term, I have muscle tone it’s just not huge and explosive muscle tone.
When I started exercising I weighted 108, and quickly dropped 5lbs when I didn’t really want to, though if it came off that easy maybe it was just unnecessary fat? Granted I’ve also never specifically tried to work my abs out, I’ve only been doing crunches and other various exercises for about 3-4 weeks, so I know I won’t see results this soon but I’ve also always been involved in sports ie gymnastics, tennis, horseback riding….so basically I just wanted your opinions on this, should I just go head and try to bring my weight down that way my abs show through better or do I just need to exercise more intensely?
Right now I exercise every other day on my abs, crunches (usually two sets of 25-30 reps), stuff for the obliques, and other general stuff for my arms, legs and back, I also try to run/jog a couple of miles a few days a week; I also work horses several times a week, and yes that take a lot of energy and muscle control!
Any ideas for adding muscle mass would be wonderful! Forgot too…I don’t really have any equipment lol, use mostly free weights 8-15lbs (the 15lbs wears me out quick within 10-15 reps) and use my own body weight. What I’m wanting is to be in better shape, mostly for my horseback riding, I need to have a little more leverage against those 1200lb horses! lol
Thanks much!
Tess