Originally Posted by W.M.P.

Genetics have A LOT to do with body-fat % and how lean can one get with proper diet and exercise. I've only had a 6-pack twice in my life; once when I was 19yrs old (kept it until about the age of 21) and it was the result of TONS of calisthenics, surfing as much as the weather permitted and the fact that I was a YOUNG BUCK WITH LOTS OF TESTOSTERONE AND GH running freely through my whole system, which allowed me to eat whatever the hell I wanted, smoke tons of weed and drink beer on the weekends. The second time I had a six-pack was back when I was 27 and spent 3 or 4 months doing calisthenics and tons of jump-rope, while also watching my diet a little bit. I say a "little bit" cause that was during my time in New Orleans, where the local cuisine is as delicious and irresistible as it is packed with plenty calories; it was an easy balancing act, since my job back then was very physical so I got to burn plenty of calories while at work.

This last aspect is also something that has to be taken into consideration when making food choices for loosing fat: How many calories do you burn through the day when not in the gym. Right now I'm mostly as desk jockey @ the hospital, so I gotta watch how much I chow down. A couple of years ago, I was working as a warehouse clerk @ a very busy music store, doing TONS of walking, moving & lifting throughout the day. I was eating a Burger King triple Whopper combo for lunch EVERY SINGLE DAY...and I was quite a lean dude. Gotta look @ the big picture always.