Im an 18 year old male weighing about 145 lbs. I workout almost everyday for an average of about 2.5 hours... my body is ripped now, i have an 8 pack...but i want that real cut look...where the skin looks real tight and everything.....i also want to rid of any fat on the obliques, so it looks like the 8 pack almost curves around the side of my body....the thing is do carbs ruin the effects of real hard workout? i eat a lot of fruit, yogurt, and try to limit breads and cereals....i also eat plenty of vegetables, and dont eat any junk food or red meat....i take a protein supplement powder and Hydroxycut...should i limit the carbs? what about cardiovascular? is this essential to getting that cut look? i swim and run a couple times of week....id appreciate any help...thanx

-- Alex Bronstein (evjeal@fast.net), February 21, 1999

Answers

First, don't forget that there is an healthy % of body fat men should respect. Bodybuilders that compete and go under the recommended % do it just for a short period of time, and apparently it is right after the competition that the photo shots are taken for the multiple magazines leaving the impression that they are like that all year round. Some food have what we call a glycemic index, that raise your blood sugar level, that influence the secretion of insuline to regulate the alteration, avoid such aliment (some fruits belong to this list) Avoid fruit after a meal that has protein. Cardio- vascular exercises are the only ones that use fat for fuel. Aerobic exs are determined by the intensity at which you train (70-85% of your max HR -> 220 - age) and the time at which you train (60 min). Try to surprise your body with once/week long duration, low intensity activity (4h bike ride, hike, etc.) Good luck!

-- martin giguere (peekaboo@son.net), April 03, 1999.

You must start a 15minute all out run daily. Preferably on a track. This will demand economy of form from your body and pump your cardio system. The key is to run as fast as you can for 15 minutes daily. This along with tour lifting will create the desired effect.

-- Clinton Bjorn (clintmct@hotmail.com), November 02, 1999.

I SUGGEST YOU TRY BODYOPUS.YOU CAN KEEP ,OR EVEN ADD MUSCLE TO YOUR BODY,WHILE ACTUALLY LOWERING BODYFAT.THIS DIET,IF DONE CORRECTLY WILL LEAVE YOU LOOKING LIKE A WALKING ANATOMY CHART.

-- CENSEE (CENSEE 1@AOL.COM), December 28, 1999.

Without knowing your height, it can be difficult to ascertain whether your 145lbs. is adequate weight for you, or if it is too little/much. If you already have an 8pack, your body fat percentage is probably already on the lower side and you may not want to lose anymore. Remember, body fat also gives a healthier look to the skin. Vegetarians sometimes have a grayish tint to their skin color because they do not have enough fat in their system. Also, what kind of workout are you doing for 2.5 hours? If you're weight training and doing cardio, you're already doing good. But try mixing your routine up. Do exercizes in different orders, but remember to weight train before you do cardio, as it's been proven to burn more calories and fat if in that order, and your muscles aren't fatigued before you weight train (a sure fire way to injure yourself). Work out your obliques by using a dumbbell in one hand, and leaning over to the opposite side slowly at about a 30-45 degree angle from a vertical position, then raise yourself upright. Do about 15-20 reps and switch hands for another 15-20 for a total of 5 sets for each side. Do that about 2-3 times a week, or about every other day. That will help to give a more "wrapped around" look.

As for the "cut" look, remember the genetics has a lot to play into that look. Not everyone can have 1% body fat and be healthy. I'd say you're already pretty "cut" if you have an 8pack. Try working the obliques and switching around your routine a bit and see how that works after a couple months. If all else fails, at least you have an 8pack to show off.

-- Jim (pyrosaber@hotmail.com), February 21, 2000.

Opps! For the exercise I mentioned, lean to the side you're holding the dumbbell with and straighten. The way I mentioned does nothing.

-- Jim (pyrosaber@hotmail.com), March 10, 2000.