At 55+ is it even possible to show a six pack?

[2porscheguy]

...just waiting for the usual smartazz comments from you guys here!

But seriously we all know how bad abdominal fat is, especially for men wrt risk factors associated with cardio-vascular disease, colon cancer, type 2 diabetes, etc.

Belly fat in men: Why weight loss matters - Mayo Clinic

Not bragging here but I'm in pretty good shape "for my age", 56.5 years of age, 5'11" @ 175 lbs, 33 in waist. I workout about 5x per week, 3 days circuit training/weights plus 2 days high intensity cardio. I eat pretty good BUT ....I do like my wine/rum....that's prolly the problem! I last showed a 6 pack in my late 30s/early 40s.

Can any of you old guys here claim to possess that ubiquitous 6 pack and if so, what's your secret? Don't worry......NO PICS NECESSARY!!

[aigel]

With those stats, unless you are very muscular you are just plain too fat. If you are fat, any sixpack will be hidden.

I am 3 inches taller and 32" waist, weigh the same and no sixpack either.

Alcohol will definitely do you in. It gives you a lot of spongy fat tissue - think beer titties ...

G

[Evans, Marv]

Well, I'm 74 and the same as Alex, except I think I have gone from a 32 to a 34 or 35 in the last couple of years and shrunk to 5'10". It sucks, but I still have a ghost of a six pack. I've always been athletic but haven't done anything for years except dig, paint, climb around on things, etc. I might post a pic if you guys do. Bet I'd compare favorably with most anybody on here.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by 2porscheguy

...just waiting for the usual smartazz comments from you guys here!
Not bragging here but I'm in pretty good shape "for my age", 56.5 years of age, 5'11" @ 175 lbs, 33 in waist. I workout about 5x per week, 3 days circuit training/weights plus 2 days high intensity cardio. I eat pretty good BUT ....I do like my wine/rum....that's prolly the problem! I last showed a 6 pack in my late 30s/early 40s.

Can any of you old guys here claim to possess that ubiquitous 6 pack and if so, what's your secret? Don't worry......NO PICS NECESSARY!!

Metabolism...genetics...activity.
I'm 63...have no problem.
5'9" weigh 150

[gacook]

5'11 175 is fat in what world? I'm 6'0, 225 (mostly not "fat" though could lose a couple pounds in the belly). Haven't been 175 since I graduated high school and was a bean pole...

[ckelly78z]

At 5'10", and 185#, I am bordering on obese according to most charts. I didn't feel good, and was lethargic at 195#, and can't get down to 175#, so I am happy with where I am at. I don't have a 6 pack, and don't work out, but am probably stronger than most men my age (52). I still cut/split/stack 6 cords of firewood every year, work plenty of overtime at a physical job, get out hiking whenever I can, and try to eat good stuff, not junk/fast food.

Having 6 pack abbs, or a beach body doesn't seem to be worth the effort to me, it would be an all consuming obsession to keep it maintained....and for what ? bragging rights, showing off ?

[stomachmonkey]

How are your T levels?

If they are low good luck getting rid of the belly fat.

[rwest]

At 5'11" I feel really good if I weigh under 170- like physically better; even at that weight I still have some gut. I'm 48 and have done a lot of biking and walking over the years, so have lower muscles, but not as much upper body mass.

BMI puts my lower range at 138lbs! I think maybe I could go to 150 without being unhealthy.

[Tobra]

I am about 5'11" and 185, a few years past 50. Don't work out and am still fairly fit. 6 pack is visible.

A lot of it is genetics, I got lucky and chose my parents wisely. I very rarely drink and only eat if I am hungry.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by rwest

At 5'11" I feel really good if I weigh under 170- like physically better; even at that weight I still have some gut. I'm 48 and have done a lot of biking and walking over the years, so have lower muscles, but not as much upper body mass.

BMI puts my lower range at 138lbs! I think maybe I could go to 150 without being unhealthy.

48?? See us in 10 years!

[2porscheguy]

Originally Posted by aigel

With those stats, unless you are very muscular you are just plain too fat. If you are fat, any sixpack will be hidden.

I am 3 inches taller and 32" waist, weigh the same and no sixpack either.

Alcohol will definitely do you in. It gives you a lot of spongy fat tissue - think beer titties ...

G

I've always been keen on the weight training so I'm pretty much at 80-90% of my peak 25 year old strength so I think that I've maintained most of my muscle mass....the wife still really digs my physique if that counts...!


AND definitely no beer titties!!

[2porscheguy]

Originally Posted by Evans, Marv

Well, I'm 74 and the same as Alex...... Bet I'd compare favorably with most anybody on here.

Wow 74 Marv and with those stats! I bet you would!!

[Jolly Amaranto]

At 65, I still ride 30 miles on my bike 3-5 days a week. I had to give up weights because of bad shoulder, but do try to do other physical activity. I do like my beer and groceries so it is a constant battle. However, if I really flex all my muscles and the light is right, I think I can still see a six pack. If all else fails I may resort to this.

[2porscheguy]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Metabolism...genetics...activity.
I'm 63...have no problem.

Zero alcohol Steve?

[2porscheguy]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

How are your T levels?

If they are low good luck getting rid of the belly fat.

T3, T4, TSH all within normal range....but I don't have the specific numbers handy.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by 2porscheguy

Zero alcohol Steve?

Absolutely not! I like beer and drink it freq.! I weigh the same as I did in high school..150
Metabolism is a big factor along with being active.
I'm 5'10 tall.

[scottmandue]

Just turned 60 and I have a six pack.... I keep it right here under this protective layer...

[greglepore]

Let me make a suggestion-look at a fast program-I like to do the 16 hr fast 2x wk or more, it becomes second nature. Have dinner, then 16hrs until your next meal. Seem long, but not really, dinner at 7 say, light lunch at one. This metabolizes a lot of fat, and combined with your gym routine will lean you out nicely.

[Vipergrün]

Originally Posted by 2porscheguy

T3, T4, TSH all within normal range....but I don't have the specific numbers handy.

Think he meant testosterone.....but thyroid can be an issue too. My testosterone levels were very low, everything still worked fine, but I could sure get pissy....

Abs are made in the kitchen....and while I have a really strong core, my abs are protected

[Don Ro]

At 5' 11" and 175 anyone is very close to potentially having a six pack. We all know how to lose body fat - cut out everything that we know contributes to it.
If I wanted a six pack again I'd basically go vegetarian for few months...all the while walking uphill and doing a variety of ab work everyday because the abs are muscles of endurance and we can work them every day....along with resistance training because lean muscle will burn fat while we sleep.
.
In my prime (30 - 40) I was 5' 10" and 145 lbs. and had a Bruce Lee body (damn near), played tournament USTA tennis and worked out at a club 4 times/week.
I had a wicked six pack that would only be noticeable if I shaved my belly hair.
.
I worked out along side of those who competed in local and state body building events. What they did two weeks prior to an event was to eat only Tuna fish packed in spring water and steamed Broccoli - nothing else - so that their skin would hug their body so tightly that their muscles would "jump out".
Most would not drink water a few of days prior...but suck on ice.
.
Barring some affliction/disease, I'd say that having a six pack at middle age is possible, it's just not painless.
Remember, it's a process and not an event.
So there ya go.

.
PS These days I'm 190 - 195 and I look like a slob.
.

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