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

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Dixie

No lie, I keep seeing this older guy whenever I go to Walmart. He has a rippin' set of six-pack abs. Then again, he's also a homeless meth-head.

My point is, y'all are welcome to spend your time and effort chasing perfect abs, but I promise you that we don't care. Not as much as you think As long as you aren't obese I'll take kind, considerate, and patient, over 6% body fat all day, every day.

When did this become about you or any woman? It's about showing muscular shape at later middle age. Some stay in that kind of shape longer, that's all.

[recycled sixtie]

Originally Posted by Zeke

When did this become about you or any woman? It's about showing muscular shape at later middle age. Some stay in that kind of shape longer, that's all.

There are not many women on this forum. I think it is interesting hearing a woman's perspective.

[Dixie]

Originally Posted by 2porscheguy

Not to worry Dixie! Most of us here realize that we would have absolutely zero chance of courting....such a fine southern gal, such as yourself!
This is more about old dude braggin' rights!

Gotcha, then by all means please carry on.

[wdfifteen]

At what age do you stop counting packs and start counting bags? (Asking for a friend)

[HardDrive]

Why would one try to have a 6 pack in their 50s? I can understand wanting to be physically fit, but who exactly are you trying to impress?

[Cajundaddy]

I think six pack abs are definitely possible at 55+ with an ever increasing amount of determination and effort. For Arnold Schwarzenegger, he finally accepted defeat at age 72 but is probably one in a billion.

As a college athlete I was 5'10", 165lbs, 11% body fat. Pretty well ripped at that point.
Today at 69, 5'10, 185. I am a lot softer now but not too portly. My vitals are good, energy good, zero health issues, no pharma. Reasonable activity level but not training daily. Doc says I am in pretty good shape for being as old as dirt.

Back when dinosaurs roamed:

[2porscheguy]

Originally Posted by HardDrive

Why would one try to have a 6 pack in their 50s? I can understand wanting to be physically fit, but who exactly are you trying to impress?

Abdominal fat…belly fat…is much more of a risk factor (HBP, type 2 diabetes, etc) for old guys… not so much for the ladies. But, yes, a 6 pack is not necessarily required.

[2porscheguy]

Originally Posted by recycled sixtie

There are not many women on this forum. I think it is interesting hearing a woman's perspective.

By all means… all input is welcome!

[2porscheguy]

Originally Posted by Dixie

Gotcha, then by all means please carry on.

Not to worry and good to know! I appreciate your input!

[2porscheguy]

I decided to try this latest workout gadget! It’s supposed to help us older dudes loose the manboobs for a more “chiseled” set of pecs….gotta admit that I got quite the pump after my first workout with it!

[Steve Carlton]

I've got a killer 1-pack. Cushions the precious internal organs underneath.

[Tidybuoy]

Here's one way:

[Tidybuoy]

I'm a long way away from having a six-pack. However, in October '25, I was emptying my shred box at work, and there had to be 200 candy wrappers in there. I decided to do "no candy November" and now "no candy December". To my surprise, I have lost 15lbs in 2 months with no change in my life except the elimination of candy (our office is full of it). For exercise, I've been doing some construction work on my house.

I'm currently 5'10", 175lbs, 30" waist. I was wearing 32" in October and now I can't keep them up.

[vash]

anything is possible.

but it cant be easy the older you get..unless you hit the gene lottery..

I think the miracle of modern medicine can you you there. plastic surgery, etc.

[Scott Watkins]

It's taken the first 3 years of the retirement to get to 3x3 minute planks and 20x3 ab rollouts (forehead to the deck).

I do the planks on upper body training day, along with v-ups 3x15, 15# ball twists sitting a 45 degree angle 3x20, and pushups 3x10.

On lower body training day, ab rollouts, toe touches 3x15, 15# ball twists sitting a 45 degree angle 3x20, and pushups 3x10.

The Dr told me today I look like i'm 40 hahahaha.

[Tidybuoy]

Originally Posted by vash

anything is possible.

I think the miracle of modern medicine can get you there. plastic surgery, etc.

Not always in the most beneficial way - have you seen the photos of Kelly & Sharon Osbourn in the news lately - they both look like skeletons with skin, probably due to overuse of Ozempic.

[2porscheguy]

Originally Posted by vash

anything is possible.

but it cant be easy the older you get..unless you hit the gene lottery..

I think the miracle of modern medicine can you you there. plastic surgery, etc.

This is definitely not for everybody but since I've never been much of a breakfast person as I don't really have much of an appetite in the morning, I decided to totally skip breakfast on many days and have an earlier lunch..brunch if you will. So brunch at 11 am and supper at 6-7 pm. I lost about 6 lbs in about 3 weeks without much hardship.

[gacook]

And just to be completely counterintuitive...

Couple years ago, I decided to get back my 20-something body. Always been athletic, shouldn't be that big of a deal. Science (old science and new) basically tells you to be in a caloric deficit and you'll lose weight. I don't eat A LOT, so I cut back to a very low cal diet...in the 1200-1500 range and work out like a beast. Fast forward several months, where I'm not feeling stronger, not gaining much muscle and not losing ANY weight. So, I got myself a nutritionist. Walked her through my routine (which was very strict). First thing she says, "You're not eating enough. First thing I'm gonna do is INCREASE your intake because your body is starving and holding on to everything you put in it."

THAT works. Still not losing weight in the speed I'd like to (and could 15 years ago) but I'm on a steady downhill trajectory of weight. More importantly, my wife measures me on the 1st of every month. I'm growing where I want to be growing and shrinking where I want to be shrinking. I'm currently in a cutting phase (caloric deficit) and only take in about 2k calories a day, a ton of which is protein (1 gram protein per pound of body weight).

Moral...figure out what your body needs (we're all different) and go from there. That might mean seeking professional guidance.

[dlockhart]

Much of what I still find enjoyable in life requires me to be in functional condition.
I do need to up my cardio, a lot.

[stevej37]

I've never had a six-pack....never worked out. In fact, I've yet to set foot in a gym during my 72 years of life.
I'm 5'9" and I weighed myself this morning at 146lbs. Just keep moving and it all works out.