Getting abs is one thing. Keeping them is another. The times in my life when I had visible 6 pack abs that people would stop me and comment on at the beach, pool, gym, I was so strict with my diet. I didn’t indulge, I was just so focused on getting in shape that I found it easy to adhere to a stricter diet. Of course long term, that wasn’t sustainable, so I’m now comfortable with maybe 4 visible abs and a couple extra pounds .

Keep in mind only a few months a year are abs ever even on display. To me, it’s not worth the trade off of what you have to give up to have a ripped 6 pack of abs complete with the v cut at the bottom and obliques. It’s cutting out of most of what’s enjoyable for life for something almost nobody ever sees.

Anonymous wrote:The only women at your age that have “visible abs” that l know aren’t doing what they are doing for that purpose. They are endurance athletes that just happen to have that as a side effect.

I am not an expert, but am roughly your age and have greats abs because I am an endurance athlete. I thinking rowing is a good substitute if you aren’t into distance running or multi sport racing.

Just wanted to add this. Liposuction is also an option for the quick results and major head start you would get from it.
5'8" @165 is a long ways, unless you carry a lot of muscle already, which sounds like it is not the case. If you got around 145lbs at 25% or lower bodyfat (20% or lower if you are smaller breasted) you could easily have visible abs.

Remember, abs are skeletal muscles, and you can increase the size of them slightly by strength training. Doing tons of crunches is a waste of time for ab development.

I don't think this is actually possible for everyone, so I wouldn't go too nuts trying to do this. Many women (like me) hold a little bit of fat in their lower abdomen. I have been bony (stress) and that bit of fat will not come off. Ymmv

You’d need to get your BMI down to the low 20s and get focused on crunches, sit ups etc. But do you really want six pack abs? Who will ever see it? I’m very fit with a flat stomach but my abs aren’t visible. I was very happy to get fit and maintain a nice bust and a firm butt. My husband is very focused on getting rid of his keg and getting it down to a six pack but that won’t happen but I admire his goal.

Anonymous wrote:I’m 40, about to turn 41. I’m a woman. I’m 5’8”and weigh 165lbs. I eat relatively healthy but could do better. My exercise consists of two brisk 30 min walks on hills and one to two more 30 more casual walks.

I could easily clean up my diet and I can add in weight training but it may have to be at the expense of one of the harder walks.

I have never had abs in my life but I’d like to try. I have met exercise goals in the past with running but never like this.

Is it possible for me to have visible abs in 13 months for my 42 birthday?

I assume I’ll have to get a trainer.

The old saying "Abs are made in the kitchen." is still true.

If you have the willpower to cut out carbs completely for a few months, your body will remain in ketosis and use your fat storages as fuel by converting them into sugar.
You must keep up your protein intake and increase your meat consumption quite a bit.
Go for between 30-40% of your calories from protein
and 60-70% from fats.

Avoid hydrogenated fats and limit processed meats like deli and bacon to minimal amounts. Good ole butter, beef, pork, whole milk, eggs, etc. are your friends.

As far as exercise, do weights and body weight resistance exercises.

(Former CPT and competitive bodybuilder/fitness competitot.)

If you drop 20 lbs you will have abs. 1400 calories and no alcohol or cheat days for a year.

This MMA fighter started at 170 and cut to 145 and has visible abs. https://es.pn/2WM7vg6. You can get to 145 easy in a year.

Anonymous wrote:Oh yeah, I know I need to change it up for visible abs. And one of the reasons that I want to do this is basically to get weights into my routine. So 40 year olds can get abs from scratch is what you all are saying?

You have abs. They are covered with fat. You said that you could “easily” clean up your diet. Start there. You know the old saying- abs are made in the kitchen.

Oh yeah, I know I need to change it up for visible abs. And one of the reasons that I want to do this is basically to get weights into my routine. So 40 year olds can get abs from scratch is what you all are saying?

The only women at your age that have “visible abs” that l know aren’t doing what they are doing for that purpose. They are endurance athletes that just happen to have that as a side effect.

You have to lose fat for visible abs. 140-145 you might have a 4 pack.

You NEED to add in weight training. Not even just for abs but for all the other benefits it provides. At age 40 you start to lose muscle mass each year- you HAVE to be lifting weights to combat that. Walking is fine but it’s not enough exercise to keep you healthy and strong as you age.

You’re not getting abs from 30 minute walks. That’s barely exercise.

Anonymous wrote:I’m 40, about to turn 41. I’m a woman. I’m 5’8”and weigh 165lbs. I eat relatively healthy but could do better. My exercise consists of two brisk 30 min walks on hills and one to two more 30 more casual walks.

I could easily clean up my diet and I can add in weight training but it may have to be at the expense of one of the harder walks.

I have never had abs in my life but I’d like to try. I have met exercise goals in the past with running but never like this.

Is it possible for me to have visible abs in 13 months for my 42 birthday?

I assume I’ll have to get a trainer.

The exercise that I do now is daily.

I’m 40, about to turn 41. I’m a woman. I’m 5’8”and weigh 165lbs. I eat relatively healthy but could do better. My exercise consists of two brisk 30 min walks on hills and one to two more 30 more casual walks.

I could easily clean up my diet and I can add in weight training but it may have to be at the expense of one of the harder walks.

I have never had abs in my life but I’d like to try. I have met exercise goals in the past with running but never like this.

Is it possible for me to have visible abs in 13 months for my 42 birthday?

I assume I’ll have to get a trainer.