Yeah, 5'7 181 is pretty big. In order for you to have abs at that weight, i would say you would need to be working out for years and be in excellant shape. If not steriods...No way a beginner could have abs at that weight...I'm 5'7 152lbs and can only see my top abs...I've been working out for about 4 months now...
One of the regrets I have is not recognizing (in my youth) the " genetic potential" I had. I was on fire, and took it all for granted, and at nearing 48, I was stupid (in the training and diet sense). I was strong, very good development, and had endurance, and it seemed it didn't matter what I did, I always seem to have a "set" point of strength and endurance in my youth. This all changed post 35 years old, though.
I posted this to Marko's thread yesterday to prevent re-writing:
chillen.......is there any part of you that regrets not changing your life style earlier?
To be completely honest, I never thought about it like that. I actually appreciate this question, because, its soliciting some internal interest, on how I actually do feel about this. You know a lot about me, so I will spare that.
When I was younger between the ages of 20 to 35, I could literally eat anything, never paid attention to what I ate, how much I ate. I pretty much maintained around 166 to 170 during my youth, but I was active in the military and an active police officer--both had a set of physical requirements while I was involved in it.
I had a good build, carried a little amount of fat. I would say I was around 15% BF (just guessing) (showed some old pictures in the "faces behind the user names" thread).
I never had any ill effects, and I never had to train for agility tests (really, this is the truth). It just seemed I had a built in set point in me. Dropping down and doing 40+ push ups/60-80 sit-ups (any time), air-borne shuffle run a mile or two, with no training. This was my youth. I regret, I didn't see this ability, set point, and genetic ability at the time, Marko.
I believe as I look back, I wasted a lot of potential, and I simply didn't see it, and was blind. I do regret this.
There is a lesson there for the younger ones.
But this changed, post 35 years old, I kept eating like I did before, and I started to accumulate more fat as compared to 20-35. If I had a point where I wish I had foreseen the future (health wise), it would be right here at about age 35, because this is really the point where future health complication began (meaning my back pain). Then, again, I only gained about 30+ pounds in about 10 years, eating the same as I did in my youth. But obviously, I had some biological/metabolic changes occurring. Other than the back pain, I have never, never, had any major health complication (up to this point).
So in a fast post, and very brief, I regret that I didnt see my potential when I was young, and now I have "limited this same potential base" because I waited too long and age is playing a biological role. Second, I regret that I didn't take action when I started seeing weight gain, and waited until there was a problem around 45-46 years old.
But, most importantly. I recognized it, acted, and it was not too late. For this I am grateful. Now, I focus on what I have control over, and this is it.
In the end, though, I do not believe I am growing (muscle) like I would have 15 to 20 years ago (because of my potential when in my youth), I do have the personal satisfaction of knowing, that I look better now, than I did when I was 25.
So, I accept this as my prize.
“We grow too soon old and too late smart”
(Dutch proverb)
Which is in error. When recognized.
Hope this answered your question.
Best wishes,
Chillen
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My point is though we are all made of flesh and bone, we are not constructed/put together the same way. In addition, some of the biological functions do not play fair between human beings. But, you can alter your physical disposition through diet and physical fitness, and push yourself to your genetic "potential"; this we all possess.
In order to do this. You have to accept some failure in your attempts. But, you have to learn and get back up, and keep trying. Simply do your best, and never, ever quit.
Educate. Evaluate, and Rock forward. This is all I have ever done, in simple terms.
Have a plan to win.
Best wishes to you OldSpice.
Chillen
