male only So, what is 'normal'?

[Manatee 4]

One of the goals I wanted to hit was to have a flat belly. I'm working on it, but just can't seem to get rid of the last of the love handles and beer belly.

Is it realistic to expect to hit that goal at the age of 40? Should I just do as Peyton says and buy bigger shirts?

[plain 12]

Manatee, there's flat and there's flat. From your pics, it looks like your belly is pretty flat. For abs to show, a guy has to get down to something like 5% bodyfat, which is out of reach for most average joes...especially the joes that have genetics working against them.

[Jachut 487]

I'm female and that makes a difference of course, and I've had 3 babies, but I've gotten pretty "normal" at 40. In fact more than normal, I have a way better figure than most of my peers to be honest, not that I think I'm all that or anything, but most women by 40 are getting sludgy and unfit and fat, well around this area they are anyway.

I've got a flat stomach and I'm way thinner than most people I know apart from the lucky few who are naturally thin.

But have I gotten rid of every ounce of flab? No. Do I wobble and jiggle? Yes. Do I look absolutely stupdendously great on the beach? Definitely not. My body shows the scars and signs of being older, having had babies and having been fat. That's "normal". We are not going to look at 40 like we did at 20.

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

I have seen your pictures and you do not appear to have a beer belly.

[bigshow81 0]

I feel you I lost down to my goal 8 yrs ago then gained it all back hence the band. I never could get a six pack and I was around 10% or lower you probably have the same issue i had. that small amount of fat and an abundance of skin. hang in there you might be able to get it with a little work.