i am so lean...why are my abs not shredded?

i am hoping that you guys can help...
i am 5'9 and 130 lbs
i have been underweight for most of my life (115 lbs) and was able to put on some mass by working out
i am pretty lean, especially in my arms and legs but have never been able to get a six pack stomach
no matter how hard i train or how clean i eat, my abs never seem to get shredded
what am i doing wrong?
Thanks in advance for your help!

workout routine
run or elliptical for 60 - 90 minutes every other day
lift 30 minutes and run for 30 - 60 minutes the other days
1 rest day per week

diet
8:30 am: 2 scoops of isopure in 10 oz of soy milk
10:30 am: ezechiel english muffin with organic peanut butter
12:00 pm: chicken or some other lean protein with a salad, sometimes add brown rice
2:00 pm: peppers with hummus or low fat cottage cheese
4:00 pm: chicken or some other lean protein with a salad 
6:00 pm: chicken or some other lean protein with vegetables
8:00 pm: half of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on ezechiel bread

if your so skinny why would you do an hour anf a half of cardio every other day?

because i am trying to get my abs leaner
i love running as well

If you can't already see your abs, then just get bigger, which means less running. You'd most likely need to lower your bf%.

For some reason, I've gone down to extremely low bf% and still couldn't see my upper abs well.

It's pretty simple really. Your abs are like any other muscle, in order for them to show you have to get them bigger. You aren't going to see huge pecs by getting 'leaner' if you haven't first built huge pecs, abs are the same. Find some ab routines you can do and do them 3 times a week, you could probably stop the running and it would have no effect on your gain seeing as you are already underweight.

V,
    You're the Clipart Photoshop GOD!

 

are there any ab routines that you can recommend?
how long should i work my abs every day?
i think you are right...i only do abs for 5 minutes a day because i was previously told that cardio was more important for getting a six pack

I'll weigh in here - when I weighed 130-135 (from like 18 y/o to 28 y/o) I had almost no body fat, but certainly did not have a 6-pack.  Why?  No muscles even existed for all practical purposes.  So, I'm lifting weights and eating more.

the cardio recomendation to have abs showing is for people who have developed the muscles, but they just don't show through.  And thats what I'm doing right now, building the muscles, at a steady 1lb / week.  You should too!

what is your ab routine like?

When you work abs all you need is a really simple and repetative routine for best results. And consistancy.

http://exercise.about.com/od/abs/ss/abexercises.htm  - list of effective exercises
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZMP05x8czc&feature=related   - video of effective exercises
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJGlP-Z21ws&feature=related   - good tutorial

. I say pick the three exercises you find most effective (you feel most) for you and do 3-4 sets for each, each set lasts one minute (time it - if you cant do 1 minute, do each set as long as you can). Do it three times a week and those abs should start showing.

V,
    You're the Clipart Photoshop GOD!

 

great links!!!
thank you!

5'9 130 - You're skinny! Eat boy!

Add me on facebook!

I've actually found that I really like doing planks for my abs. Not sure if it's helping get them more mass, but I can really feel them working.
Doing 30 seconds on regular, 30 sec on right side, 30 sec on left side, and 30 sec back on both elbows without letting knees or anything touch the ground. Doing that a couple times really gets my abs.

Every Saint has a Past. Every Sinner has a Future.

It seems so odd to me how honesty is honestly the rarest thing upon us. Honestly, it's astonishing.

Eat, and squat.

President of the Emancipation Detoxification. DBB's oldest forum group, punching baby seals since 2/12/08

LoL, that works, too. Actually did that today...I'm starting to enjoy leg day a little bit now.

Every Saint has a Past. Every Sinner has a Future.

It seems so odd to me how honesty is honestly the rarest thing upon us. Honestly, it's astonishing.

overhead press and pullups seem to work my abs in addition to the obvious ab exercises

edit: youll probably be better served bulking up quite a bit then cutting down too, 130 is aweful light at 5'9"...im 5'9" and 150 and consider myself on the skinny side still

bulking/strength training

soon to begin bill starr's 5X5

current maxes: 
squats: 255
deadlifts: 300
bench: 185
oh press: 125
goals for jan 1:
squats: 300
deadlifts: 350
bench: 210
oh pressL 145 

edrice2


overhead press and pullups seem to work my abs in addition to the obvious ab exercises

edit: youll probably be better served bulking up quite a bit then cutting down too, 130 is aweful light at 5'9"...im 5'9" and 150 and consider myself on the skinny side still

X2.

Recently I tried to fold my legs so that my knees touch my stomach, and keep that position while pulling up. It is tiring for the breath, but quite a good abs work, I must say.

5'8.1"
Age = 20 
started in February 16th 2007: 58kg (127.6lbs)
current : around 79-80kg (173.8lb-176lb)

i'm a girl :)

Pics will help me......to help you.


:p

V,
    You're the Clipart Photoshop GOD!

 

here is a pic

that didn't work...
here is a link to some pics
http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=50263&l=2d5a4&id=509154154

Hey if you ever want some 1 to 1 training on those abs just let me know

V,
    You're the Clipart Photoshop GOD!

 

being a girl doesn't really change anything still gotta work your abs..

Goals by end of 2009:
Bench 205
Squat 255 ATG
Squat Clean 185

"There is no elevator to success, you must take the stairs."

Did that really just happen?

Shoulders back.
Head high.
Always progressing.


Supps: whey, flax oil, food, water

and Super Pump, it makes me dizzy sometimes

yo abs take into account 5 things...
1.  nutrition
2.  cardiovascular conditioning
3.  abdominal training
4.  age (teens and 20's being the "ideal" age)
5.  genetics...

to get defined abs it's going to take work...
eat 5, 6 small meals per day.
that keeps your metabolism going all day long - which gives you energy and keeps you from overeating.

just keep in mind...abdominal muscles are no different than any other muscle group!
seriously...
anyway...
i have really good abs...so i'll list what i do:
1.    reverse crunch
2.    bent-elbow plank
3.    bicycle (not the one with the wheels...obviously)
4.    negative situp with weight plate
5.    oblique trunk rotation with weight plate
6.    curl-up with weight plate
7.    rowing crunch
8.    cable crunch
9.    hip raise
10.  leg raise
11.  oblique trunk rotation

you can look up on-line how to do these...most sites have pictures...
put everything i said together and you'll be fine.
it take time, it's hard but it's worth it.

connelly


being a girl doesn't really change anything still gotta work your abs..

actually being a woman does change things...
genetically, women have a disadvantage when it comes to abs...
their bodies store more fat than men.
the reason?
...women's bodies are designed to bear and nourish babies and fat is the primary energy source to support fetal development.
also...men generally lose weight quicker as a result of regular exercise.
for women to lower body fat enough to have a six-pack it might even interrupt their
menstrual cycle...

soopanick

connelly


being a girl doesn't really change anything still gotta work your abs..

actually being a woman does change things...
genetically, women have a disadvantage when it comes to abs...
their bodies store more fat than men.
the reason?
...women's bodies are designed to bear and nourish babies and fat is the primary energy source to support fetal development.
also...men generally lose weight quicker as a result of regular exercise.
for women to lower body fat enough to have a six-pack it might even interrupt their
menstrual cycle...

that doesn't mean it changes what they have to do to get a 6-pack it might be harder for them but they should still do the same exercises.

Goals by end of 2009:
Bench 205
Squat 255 ATG
Squat Clean 185

"There is no elevator to success, you must take the stairs."

Melitoto, Looking At Your Photo's I Would Say You Are Already In Good Shape. You Have A Lean Figure. Your Natural Body Type Also Plays A Part In How Your Muscle Will Look When They Are Developed. That Said, For You I Would Suggest:

Decline Ab And Oblique Crunch ( Do All Three To Make One Rep )
Dumbbell Squat
Lunges
Leg Raise
Military Press
Back Extensions
*All With Less Weight More Reps

Those Are Just Some Suggestions. I Could Be More Clear If You Let Me Know What You Do For Your 30 mins Weightlifting.

rippedchick


5'9 130 - You're skinny! Eat boy!

She beat me to it.

"True genius, in many fields of human endeavor, is often revealed in elegant simplicity."

- A smart man

Journal: http://www.wannabebigforums.com/showthread.php?t=117358