# Is it Safe to Have Sixpack Abs? Healthy? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 13, 2013, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145 "2013-10-13T16:19:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/21 "2013-10-14T01:31:02Z")
> [@Lanzy](#): > > Why would you not want him to go to the gym? I would vote to encourage him rather than discourage him. > [@brazil84](#): > > We just don’t want him to go overboard. He’s lost some fat and gained some muscle, which is fine, but there needs to be a stopping point, no? But people don’t stop going to the gym once they’ve gotten in shape. They need to keep going to _stay_ in shape, or increase strength, or whatever. This is an odd thread given all the threads you’ve started about obesity. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/22 "2013-10-14T03:17:18Z")
FWIW, I never had visible abs until I hit 50 (and had heart surgery). The combination of wanting to avoid additional heart problems and wanting to have abs meant that I modified my diet so that i dropped a lot of body fat. After my surgery, I had the energy to resume working out (which is something I used to do even before my surgery), resulting in visible abs for the first time in my life. So, I would say that wanting abs at 40 is not only healthy, but certainly realistic. If you want to see mine, my photos are in the SDMB gallery. ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 7:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/23 "2013-10-14T07:34:59Z")
> [@lorene](#): > > But people don’t stop going to the gym once they’ve gotten in shape. They need to keep going to _stay_ in shape, or increase strength, or whatever. Well this individual wants to do more than maintain – he intends to lose additional fat so that he can get “sixpack abs.” > [@](#): > > This is an odd thread given all the threads you’ve started about obesity. How is that? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/24 "2013-10-14T08:05:41Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > Is it safe for a middle-aged man to get down to the body fat percentage necessary for a six-pack? Is there any health benefit? Or is it pure vanity? If the weight/fat loss and conditioning is done properly and in a sane manner, yes, it’s safe. By properly I mean modifying the diet to a moderate to low fat/high nutrient content and a reasonable work out that, over time, leads to the desired effect rather than crash diets and crazy work-out schedules. The health benefit is that you improve your diet, your exercise levels, and body composition. This can reduce your chances of things like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and other chronic ills. Exercise also reduces or even avoids the muscle loss and increasing frailty of advancing age, guarding against things like osteoporosis (which men can also suffer, too). Yes, there’s probably some vanity involved, but better diet and exercise is probably a healthier form of vanity than, say, multiple plastic surgeries or some even crazier things people do for vanity. It is possible to take diet+exercise to unhealthy extremes but most folks involved in adopting a healthier lifestyle (which is what you’re talking about) don’t do that. It’s no crazier than training to run a marathon, and there are people in their 90’s doing that. For darn sure those 90 year olds weren’t sitting on their butts in their 40’s. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/25 "2013-10-14T08:48:52Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > Well this individual wants to do more than maintain – he intends to lose additional fat so that he can get “sixpack abs.” He wants to do more because he still hasn’t reached his goal; once it’s reached, he will either set new goals or move to maintenance mode. ---
**Author:** ![Glazer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a88e57/32.png) [@Glazer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glazer)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 8:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/26 "2013-10-14T08:56:39Z")
Sounds a little like guilt sabotage. Be happy that someone in the family is setting a healthy example. Don’t try to drag them down to your comfort level. Instead aspire to join him and be healthier. ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/27 "2013-10-14T09:01:37Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > Find out how he got the BF measurement. Apparently he used one of those online calculators where you plug in your waist measurement, neck measurement, height, weight etc. and it gives you a number. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/28 "2013-10-14T12:15:00Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > Apparently he used one of those online calculators where you plug in your waist measurement, neck measurement, height, weight etc. and it gives you a number. Those aren’t bad, not completely accurate but better than just your BMI. He seems to be taking a healthy approach to getting into good shape. I’m really not sure where your concern is coming from based on what you’ve told us here. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/29 "2013-10-14T12:28:52Z")
I’m wondering what specific health concerns the OP has about his relative. In what way are the relative’s weight loss and fitness goals “unhealthy”? ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/30 "2013-10-14T14:09:49Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > I’m wondering what specific health concerns the OP has about his relative. In what way are the relative’s weight loss and fitness goals “unhealthy”? Well it is possible to have too little fat, no? I mean, that’s the problem with anorexics – they see themselves as being too fat when they are not. So the question is how much more fat can this individual lose before it starts to be a health concern. And whether having sufficiently little fat to have “six pack abs” is safe (and consistent with health) for a middle-aged man. ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/31 "2013-10-14T14:15:27Z")
> [@Glazer](#): > > Sounds a little like guilt sabotage. Be happy that someone in the family is setting a healthy example. Don’t try to drag them down to your comfort level. Instead aspire to join him and be healthier. Well that’s an interesting question. Perhaps part of the objections are based on the idea that a straight, married, middle-aged man should not be worrying so much about his appearance. But that’s a different issue. As long as his six-pack abs are safe and consistent with good health, people should let him enjoy his mid-life crisis in peace. And be thankful that he has not taken up motorcycling or BASE jumping. ---
**Author:** ![CLee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f19dbf/32.png) [@CLee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CLee)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/32 "2013-10-14T14:19:39Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > Well it is possible to have too little fat, no? I mean, that’s the problem with anorexics – they see themselves as being too fat when they are not. > > So the question is how much more fat can this individual lose before it starts to be a health concern. > > And whether having sufficiently little fat to have “six pack abs” is safe (and consistent with health) for a middle-aged man. Are you looking for cites or opinions? Is there some reason why this man’s doctor isn’t a better judge of his overall health than you? ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/33 "2013-10-14T14:19:45Z")
> [@Lasciel](#): > > That is a pretty cool site. I think it’s funny how some slots have 6 or 7 people in them, and others are still totally empty. Nice distribution graph, in addition to size and weight. Kind of frustrating to see exactly how birdboned I must be - all the other women at 5’7" and 150 are way skinnier than I am. I assume they have larger frames. ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/34 "2013-10-14T15:08:46Z")
> [@CLee](#): > > Are you looking for cites or opinions? Cites and intelligent opinions. > [@](#): > > Is there some reason why this man’s doctor isn’t a better judge of his overall health than you? What judgment have I made which conflicts with that of a physician? Please quote the judgment I made and the conflicting judgment of the physician. TIA. ---
**Author:** ![CLee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f19dbf/32.png) [@CLee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CLee)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/35 "2013-10-14T15:18:39Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > Cites and intelligent opinions. > > What judgment have I made which conflicts with that of a physician? > > Please quote the judgment I made and the conflicting judgment of the physician. > > TIA. I didn’t see where you noted that this man asked your opinion, and I’m curious as to why you wouldn’t leave the matters of his health between him and his physician. I agree with the poster who mentioned guilt sabotage. Why in the world would you presume to discourage anyone seeking to improve his or her physical condition at any age? ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/36 "2013-10-14T15:27:25Z")
> [@CLee](#): > > I didn’t see where you noted that this man asked your opinion, and I’m curious as to why you wouldn’t leave the matters of his health between him and his physician. Ahhh, I take it that you are unable to quote my judgment – or that of the physician. > [@](#): > > I agree with the poster who mentioned guilt sabotage. Why in the world would you presume to discourage anyone seeking to improve his or her physical condition at any age? Because somebody seeking to improve his physical condition might actually be acting self-destructively. Duh. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/37 "2013-10-14T15:31:05Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > Ahhh, I take it that you are unable to quote my judgment – or that of the physician. > . I’m sorry, where did he say that he could quote your family member’s doctor? Why would he? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/38 "2013-10-14T15:35:19Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > Well it is possible to have too little fat, no? I mean, that’s the problem with anorexics – they see themselves as being too fat when they are not. > > So the question is how much more fat can this individual lose before it starts to be a health concern. > > And whether having sufficiently little fat to have “six pack abs” is safe (and consistent with health) for a middle-aged man. You don’t feel there’s a river, a gulf and an ocean between six pack ab fitness and anorexia? Do you have any idea what level of nutrition is required to achieve a physique that exposes abs like that? You think the people on the cover of Health & Fitness are starving themselves to achieve that sort of build? > [@brazil84](#): > > Well that’s an interesting question. Perhaps part of the objections are based on the idea that a straight, married, middle-aged man should not be worrying so much about his appearance. Whose objections? Yours? > [@brazil84](#): > > But that’s a different issue. As long as his six-pack abs are safe and consistent with good health, people should let him enjoy his mid-life crisis in peace. And be thankful that he has not taken up motorcycling or BASE jumping. What people? You? ---
**Author:** ![brazil84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@brazil84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brazil84)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/39 "2013-10-14T15:37:35Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > I’m sorry, where did he say that he could quote your family member’s doctor? Why would he? He implied that I was claiming my judgment was superior to that of this individual’s doctor. To test this claim, one would need to look at my judgment as well as that of the doctor. Of course I have made no judgment at all. And I have not mentioned if the individual even has a doctor. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2013, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/40 "2013-10-14T15:39:50Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > He implied that I was claiming my judgment was superior to that of this individual’s doctor. > > . No he didn’t. He implied that you don’t know what you’re talking about and should leave such judgements to professionals. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145.md?page=3)