# 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:** 3
**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, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/41 "2013-10-14T15:42:14Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > 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? Assuming that by “starving” you mean “depriving oneself of food to the point where it is unsafe or unhealthy,” then my answer is that I don’t know. If I knew, then I would not have started the thread. > [@](#): > > Whose objections? Yours? Perhaps – I haven’t thought through the issues that carefully. > [@](#): > > What people? You? Of course. ---
**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, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/42 "2013-10-14T15:43:04Z")
> [@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. > [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > No he didn’t. He implied that you don’t know what you’re talking about and should leave such judgements to professionals. Or set up a poll if all you are looking for is agreement with your hypothesis and are completely closed to dissenting opinions or conflicting evidence. ---
**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, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/43 "2013-10-14T15:43:56Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > No he didn’t. He implied that you don’t know what you’re talking about and should leave such judgements to professionals. I disagree, but even if that’s true, he should quote me where I supposedly don’t know what I am talking about. Which of course he cannot do since I have made no judgment at all. ---
**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, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/44 "2013-10-14T15:46:31Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > I disagree, but even if that’s true, he should quote me where I supposedly don’t know what I am talking about. Which of course he cannot do since I have made no judgment at all. This thread is proof that you don’t. If you did, you wouldn’t be asking the question. ---
**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, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/45 "2013-10-14T15:46:52Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > I disagree, but even if that’s true, he should quote me where I supposedly don’t know what I am talking about. Which of course he cannot do since I have made no judgment at all. If you truly believe that your posts are free from judgment and blatant attempts to influence the reader you should reread them. You have given every indication that you feel that this guy is having a midlife crisis, risking anorexia, setting his expectations to high, and engaging in a process destructive to his health. Do you really feel you have presented your question in a neutral light? A criminal defense attorney could do a better job of concealing his agenda. ---
**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, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/46 "2013-10-14T15:53:36Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > This thread is proof that you don’t. If you did, you wouldn’t be asking the question. Well usually when somebody is accused of “not knowing what he is talking about,” the suggestion is that he is making ill-founded claims. Agreed? From now on, any time you ask a factual question on this board, is it okay if I point out that (1) you don’t know what you are talking about; and (2) you should leave the answer to people who do know what they are talking about? ---
**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, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/47 "2013-10-14T15:57:40Z")
> [@CLee](#): > > If you truly believe that your posts are free from judgment and blatant attempts to influence the reader you should reread them. You have given every indication that you feel that this guy is having a midlife crisis, Lol, he has ADMITTED that he’s doing this as a result of a mid-life crisis. > [@](#): > > risking anorexia, setting his expectations to high, and engaging in a process destructive to his health. “Risking anorexia” is too vague to assess, but please quote me where I assert or imply that this individual is “setting his expectations too high and engaging in a process destructive to his health” Failing that, please admit that I said no such thing and apologize. Your choice. ---
**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, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/48 "2013-10-14T15:59:14Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > Well usually when somebody is accused of “not knowing what he is talking about,” the suggestion is that he is making ill-founded claims. Agreed? > > From now on, any time you ask a factual question on this board, is it okay if I point out that (1) you don’t know what you are talking about; and (2) you should leave the answer to people who do know what they are talking about? Yes. If, like you, I’m asking broad questions _after_ I’ve already given someone advice on the subject, you are free to tell me I don’t know what I’m talking about and that I should leave the answer to people who do. Absolutely. ---
**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, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/49 "2013-10-14T16:05:28Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > Yes. Ummm, so you agree that usually when somebody is accused of “not knowing what he is talking about,” the suggestion is that he is making ill-founded claims? > [@](#): > > If, like you, I’m asking broad questions _after_ I’ve already given someone advice on the subject, Please show me where I stated that I offered advice on the issue of whether further weight loss would be healthy/unhealthy or safe/unsafe. Please quote me. TIA. ---
**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, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/50 "2013-10-14T16:10:46Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > Ummm, so you agree that usually when somebody is accused of “not knowing what he is talking about,” the suggestion is that he is making ill-founded claims? > > Please show me where I stated that I offered advice on the issue of whether further weight loss would be healthy/unhealthy or safe/unsafe. Please quote me. > > TIA. You’ve already stated that you were “on his case”. I realize that you will now try to weazel your way out of this, but being “on his case” generally means that you’re trying to convince him to do something that he doesn’t want to do. In other words - advice. ---
**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, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/51 "2013-10-14T16:13:08Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > He has a fantasy (perhaps driven by a mid-life crisis) of having six-pack abs. > > 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? It isn’t a fantasy, it’s doable. Yes, it’s safe. Yes, being in shape has health benefits. For some being in shape is a reflection of vanity, for others it is a hobby and for others a lifestyle meant to prolong a better quality of life. A combination of any or all of these yields positive results. > [@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? Is he healthy and happy? Then no stopping point is necessary. > [@brazil84](#): > > So we are concerned that he sees himself as being fatter than he really is. He could tone up the midsection a little and it shouldn’t affect your life at all. > [@brazil84](#): > > Well this individual wants to do more than maintain – he intends to lose additional fat so that he can get “sixpack abs.” Scare quotes necessary? > [@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’ve shown zero indication this man is anorexic or in danger of the disorder. > [@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. Why shouldn’t he do as he pleases with his own life? For some people maintaining an attractive appearance is a rewarding pastime. If it isn’t important to you, don’t bother. > [@brazil84](#): > > Lol, he has ADMITTED that he’s doing this as a result of a mid-life crisis. I saw where _you_ made that claim. > [@brazil84](#): > > “Risking anorexia” is too vague to assess, but please quote me where I assert or imply that this individual is “setting his expectations too high and engaging in a process destructive to his health” > > Failing that, please admit that I said no such thing and apologize. > > Your choice. Okay, I’m sorry that you have chosen negative words and attempted to persuade your readers that you feel that a relative is making a mistake by working on his fitness and that everyone has disagreed with your assessment. Perhaps a poll would serve you better in the future, that way you can ignore dissension and ferret out those responses which favor your agenda. ---
**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, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/52 "2013-10-14T16:16:48Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > You’ve already stated that you were “on his case”. I realize that you will now try to weazel your way out of this, but being “on his case” generally means that you’re trying to convince him to do something that he doesn’t want to do. In other words - advice. Even if it were advice - it doesn’t necessarily bear on the subject of whether further weight loss would be healthy/unhealthy or safe/unsafe. So it turns out that (ironically) you have no idea what you are talking about. And any time in the future where you ask questions on an issue, if it’s an issue you have expressed concern about, I will feel free to point out that you don’t know what you are talking about. ---
**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, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/53 "2013-10-14T16:18:55Z")
> [@CLee](#): > > Okay, I’m sorry that you have chosen negative words and attempted to persuade your readers that you feel that a relative is making a mistake by working on his fitness and that everyone has disagreed with your assessment. That’s not an adequate apology for misstating my position. Please admit that you have done so and apologize. This is the last time I will ask. ---
**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, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/54 "2013-10-14T16:20:04Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > That’s not an adequate apology for misstating my position. Please admit that you have done so and apologize. This is the last time I will ask. Not sure I’m a fan of these smiley things, but I’ll give it a whirl. 😃 ---
**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, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/55 "2013-10-14T16:20:28Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > Even if it were advice - it doesn’t necessarily bear on the subject of whether further weight loss would be healthy/unhealthy or safe/unsafe. Yes it does. There is nothing else you could be giving him a hard time about, other than his future plans. You’ve already said he currently “looks perfectly fine and that his physique is consistent with fitness and good health”, so there is nothing else for you to “on his case” about. > [@](#): > > So it turns out that (ironically) you have no idea what you are talking about. Wrong. > [@](#): > > And any time in the future where you ask questions on an issue, if it’s an issue you have expressed concern about, I will feel free to point out that you don’t know what you are talking about. Only if it’s after I’ve given someone advice on the subject. ---
**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, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/56 "2013-10-14T16:22:53Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > That’s not an adequate apology for misstating my position. Please admit that you have done so and apologize. This is the last time I will ask. Comedy gold!! ---
**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, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/57 "2013-10-14T16:31:52Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > Well that’s part of the problem. This man’s abs do seem to show, but he claims to have a body fat percentage of around 20%. He also claims that his BMI is borderline overweight. People who work out a lot and carry more muscle than average will have a BMI like that. BMI is essentially just a weight/height measure. He needs to look at more than that, like his cardiovascular stats (blood pressure, heat rate, lipid levels), his waist to hip ratio, and an _actual_ bodyfat measurement. BMI is a VERY crude screening tool that is notoriously poor for actual athletes. > [@](#): > > So we are concerned that he sees himself as being fatter than he really is. Well, OK, but as others have said, our culture has altered what we think is healthy due to the high numbers of genuinely overweight and obese people wandering around. > [@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. Again, a crude tool. As others have said, he’s at an age where he should be getting regular physicals anyway and if he has concerns they are best addressed by a doctor who sees him in real life. > [@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. There’s a difference between starvation-weight and a healthy weight with low body fat. There is a disorder involving driving bodyfat too low while maintaining what should be a normal weight, but it’s not anorexia (sometimes it’s called “bigorexia”) and more commonly seen in dedicated body builders and weight lifters. > [@](#): > > So the question is how much more fat can this individual lose before it starts to be a health concern. It’s unlikely he’d get below 7%, and that only with massive effort. That’s a low percentage, but there no indication it’s unhealthy in a man (in a woman it is considered detrimental). As previously mentioned, unless his diet and workout schedule are interfering with his ability to function in other aspects of life this shouldn’t be a concern. > [@](#): > > And whether having sufficiently little fat to have “six pack abs” is safe (and consistent with health) for a middle-aged man. Yes. > [@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. Exactly. If his mid-life crisis is manifesting as better diet and an exercise program let him have it. It’s one of the _least_ toxic manifestations of mid-life crisis he could be having. ---
**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, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/58 "2013-10-14T16:33:39Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > Yes it does. There is nothing else you could be giving him a hard time about, other than his future plans. You’ve already said he currently “looks perfectly fine and that his physique is consistent with fitness and good health”, so there is nothing else for you to “on his case” about. Not true at all. For example, I might have said something like this: “I am concerned that you might lose too much weight in the process of obtaining six-pack abs. Of course I am not a medical professional so I don’t know if it’s healthy or not but I am concerned” Or I might have said something like this: “Stop acting like you are single.” In your view, do both of these statements count as “advice” about whether it’s healthy/unhealthy or safe/unsafe to lose further weight? > [@](#): > > Only if it’s after I’ve given someone advice on the subject. And from your perspective, advice = any statement expressing any concern – related or not – about the subject. Right? ---
**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, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/59 "2013-10-14T16:36:29Z")
> [@CLee](#): > > Not sure I’m a fan of these smiley things, but I’ll give it a whirl. > > 😃 According to you, I implied that this individual was “setting his expectations to high, and engaging in a process destructive to his health” But you were unable to point out where I had done so, since you simply made it up. And you have refused to admit what you did and apologize. I have no interest in an exchange where the other person insists on putting words in my mouth. This exchange is concluded. Bye. ---
**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, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145/60 "2013-10-14T16:37:58Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > Not true at all. For example, I might have said something like this: “I am concerned that you might lose too much weight in the process of obtaining six-pack abs. Of course I am not a medical professional so I don’t know if it’s healthy or not but I am concerned” > > Or I might have said something like this: “Stop acting like you are single.” > > In your view, do both of these statements count as “advice” about whether it’s healthy/unhealthy or safe/unsafe to lose further weight? No. I wouldn’t use the term “on his case” to describe the first example. The second one makes no sense in this context, but is still advice concerning future action. > [@](#): > > And from your perspective, advice = any statement expressing any concern – related or not – about the subject. Right? Wrong. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-safe-to-have-sixpack-abs-healthy/671145.md?page=4)