Does sit ups really shrink your stomach?

[JTp8ntball97]

As it says.

-- discuss

[Manfred_Man]

Originally Posted by JTp8ntball97

As it says.

no, the stomach doesn't shrink with any exercise... however, if you're referring to your abs, that's a different question altogether.

first of all, there's no such thing as spot reduction... so doing exercises for your abs won't shrink your abs. abs exercises, depending on the intensity, frequency, resistance, form, and a few other considerations, will build/strengthen your abs.

to lose the fat around your mid-section, you will need to modify your nutrition, include cardio to your weight/resistance training regimen, rest well, and drink a good amount of water regularly...

if you haven't already, read the stickies at the top of this forum, as well as that at the top of the Health forum's Weightloss & Nutrition forum.

btw, welcome to the EF community, JTp8ntball97!

[ProfGumby]

Okay, I'll step in it...

No. IMHO, it is impossible to spot reduce. That is, to burn body fat from one area alone. Just doesn't happen.

Now, a few things.

First, if a guy, who is otherwise fit and lean but has a paunch does x number of situps a day, combined with a sensible meal plan, yes. He will burn the paunch and tone his abs and love handles. But see, he will also burn fat from other places as well. It will just be extremely noticable based on these circumstances.

Second, it is absolutely possible to target specific muscle groups for building and shaping. If you work your abs, and only your abs, you will see some benefits. By the same token, if a guy did 100 preacher curls a day, ate like a slob and did nothing else, that guy would build big biceps. There would not be a whole lot of definition though.

Third, I am a firm believer that some of those ab machines, like those we see on tv will tighten the abs and provide definition. They will begin to burn the fat too, mostly as the workouts on those machines are almost aerobic in nature. But if you read the fine print in their info, they ALL say "sensible diet" as part of their success formula. It makes sense if one eats healthy foods, and does some sort of regular exercise, it is most likely that someone will lose weight and start to"firm" up.

Or to put this plainly, if somone wants to burn belly fat, lose the love handles (pick any other flabby area) the only way to burn the fat is through aerobic exercise. Realize though that all areas of the body do not give up their fat as easily. For me that would be my belly. For others it may be the backside, hips or whatever.

Wanna kill the belly fat and have abs of steel? Cut out the junk from the diet, start working the abs via a weight or circuit training and do a good 30 min cardio at least 3 days a week, and drink your water!

Anyway, that's my opening salvo in the debate....

[olipyr]

Prof, what would you suggest eating while doing the cardio and such for losing the belly fat. That's my biggest problem. If I could lose that, I would look pretty good. Right now I'm 6'6" about 280lbs. I just want to get rid of a good portion of my belly before I walk on for college football.

[Manfred_Man]

hey, olipyr!

if you haven't already, read the stickies at the top of the Health forum's Weightloss & Nutrition forum and the Food & Recipes forum. you'll find a good amount of great suggestions there!

[JTp8ntball97]

Would my arms get bigger if I do pushups?

[the master chief]

Originally Posted by JTp8ntball97

Would my arms get bigger if I do pushups?

All your muscles will ever do is conrtact. Push Ups will help out with Chest, Shoulders, and Triceps primarily depending on how you do them I guess. What exactly do you mean by making your arms bigger? Did you have a specific part of your arm in mind?

[mak1up4me]

push ups will get u bigger but u gota eat lots of protien!
hav u eva tryd handstand push ups???
i do handstand, incline normal knee pushups in that order then 2-3 days later i do the same amount in the oppisite order! and wen u cant do any mor push ups dont stop bend ur arms a little and hold ur self up as long as u can!! dont think u shold try this with handstand push ups though
and does any 1 got any killer ab work outs cus a rly nice upper body and it loks wierd cus i got that little pouch at the bottom!!!!!!

[eyesonly]

"push ups will get u bigger but u gota eat lots of protien!"


Isn't it good to eat lots of protein if a person does lots of weight exercises?

[Italianangel]

Originally Posted by JTp8ntball97

As it says.

-- discuss

No, diet and exercise does, crunches shape the abs and build them to show through.

[The_Don]

Originally Posted by JTp8ntball97

As it says.

-- discuss

Nope - simple

[Adonis]

The answer is absolutley NO.

Next! [in a soup Nazi accent]

[Manfred_Man]

Originally Posted by JTp8ntball97

As it says.

-- discuss

just to clarify... in case there's a need to clarify...

nope.

i suppose that's the end of the discussion...