Note: Updated for new start date, weight, etc. I know, I know… Shame on me. Better yet, encourage, energize, and motivate me and yourself to succeed!

Six Pack Abs is the ultimate exercise and physical goal for most people, especially younger athletes, but why should they have all the fun?

This isn’t just for guys in their 40’s – women in their 40’s will be featured on my journey as well as their specific challenges.

Also, this should work for any age. Whether you are 20 or 60, the goal is the same and the basic way to get there is the same so follow along…

If you are 40ish, that will just make it all that much more fun and relevant.

This is “NotSoAverage Joe” and I am going to take you along on my journey to get a six pack and challenge “That Guy” this summer/fall!

My plan is to look like the after picture and not the before picture of these 6 pack abs! Note, I’ve got the before picture just about covered.

6 Pack Abs aren’t easy at any age

Sure, it is harder when you are 40ish, but that makes the goal all that more challenging and rewarding right?.  Plus, if there is anything that a 40ish man or woman who is working out and trying to better their health and fitness life is inspired by, it is a tough goal.  Game on!

We may call it something else like:

• Losing weight
• Getting in shape
• Improving our fitness
• Eating right
• Dieting
• Working out
• Getting lean
• Losing the spare tire or ba-donk-a-donk

But when it comes right down to it and you define what you want to look like or achieve it can usually be summed up by “Shredded”, “Abs”, “Six Pack”, or “Lean.”

This page is going to be the launch pad for everything I do to reach that ultimate Ab and Oblique goal.

A few facts you should be aware of before you start clicking links or following along.

1. I am a male and 44 45 years old at the start of this process.  If you are a female or a slightly different age or background and want to blog about your process just let me know and we can talk about including your information here as well.
2. Beginning stats and info:
   1. 198 203 pounds
   2. Body fat percentage – probably mid 20’s – I plan to have that checked soon so I will update when I do know specifics
      1. I had a Dexa scan for body fat done recently at 198 pounds I was 20.2% so at 203 I should be right at 22.5%. I will do a post about this soon as it was very cool!
   3. Bench max around 325 335 and I don’t want to lose much off that – if any, but I will sacrifice maybe 10% I think. That will leave me about 300 pounds one rep max which is respectable at 45, but I’ll deal with that when I finish this goal.
3. Supplements – I do take some supplements, but I will NOT be pushing them, selling, or even mentioning a specific brand.
   1. You can easily find tons of supplements and people who will sell them to you.
   2. You don’t absolutely need it, but they do help.  I have been using the same ones specific to working out for years and I am not going to adjust what I take currently so it should have no factor in my results other than I will probably do a simple plan that I know of to kick start my progress.
   3. One word of advice – if the person trying to sell you supplements doesn’t have your dream body, don’t value their opinion…  That includes mine, NotSoAverage Joe.
   4. Oh, and don’t do illegal stuff – it isn’t worth jeopardizing your long term health for a short term goal.
   5. Following my own advice in this section, based on That Guy’s and a serious body builder we know, I will be adding a thermo, additional protein, and some aminos.
4. I am not a personal trainer.  I am not a dietician.  I am not a doctor.  I am not advising you to do the same thing I am doing.  In summary, consult your doctor, personal trainer, dietician, etc and do what is safe and what works for you.
5. I plan to use two strategies you probably already know… KISS and 80/20.
6. I already work out a lot and I am consistent with it… not planning on changing it up at all except maybe a little more focus on the cardio.  I will be talking more about setting goals, tracking results, and diet than anything else.  A wise man once said “You don’t get abs by doing abs, you get abs by losing weight.”
7. It will be tough.  It will be hard and sometimes one step forward and two steps back.  We must keep progressing.
8. I might not reach my exact goal.  I’m in a constant state of change and evolution – so are you. What is important is setting the goal and making progress. I’ve tried this on a personal level a couple of times and had mixed results and never attained the 6pack.  One of the reasons I am publicly doing this is for accountability and support through the process.  Having a goal is one thing, having a public goal is another level.  Also, I am much more likely to meet my goal if it is shared with my friends, family, workout partners, coworkers, etc.  They help keep me on track. If you want to post your progress here just do it in the comments or let me know if you want to provide your own accounts – I would love to help or share in your journey.
9. I will not tolerate negativity or attacks or whining.  Comment to your heart’s desire with motivation, positive reinforcements, encouragements, advice, links, offers to help (free or paid), but keep it positive.
10. I am NotSoAverage Joe.  I will succeed.

Now let’s get this 6pack started!

The 6 pack goal and journey

The goal? 6 pack abs!

The timeframe?  3 months until my birthday when I turn 45 Thanksgiving. It really isn’t important that I’m 45 Thanksgiving is in 3 months, just that we have a time bound goal.

Pick a date that works for you… Summer vacation date, anniversary, birthday, new year, class reunion, or whatever you think gives you the WHY you want to get ripped.

How will I track my progress?  Having a six pack is a visual thing so even though weight isn’t the best way to evaluate progress I think I will use that as my daily tracking with some intermediate goals of actually seeing 2 abs, then 4, then the 6.

I will take beginning pictures, weekly progress pictures, and I might even post them at some point… I will warn you if I do – pasty, white, fat bellies can be traumatizing, I know, so I’ll give you proper notice warning

Biggest risk of failing?  I am a deliberative, analytical man.  I struggle with wanting everything to be just right so I usually say something like I will start tomorrow after I plan more or I’ll start Monday because I have a party to go to this weekend where I’ll be eating bad or drinking or whatever the excuse is…

To get past this risk, I am going way out of my comfort zone… I am going to start with just the basic plan in my head and only the next few hours have any real details.  Just get started!  Make some progress!  Adjust! KISS! 80/20!

The Plan?  Three months breaks down pretty easy.  3 different months so 3 cycles of about 30 days. It may take more or less, but like I said, I am just going to get started and adjust course as I go.  I’m guessing a 2 pack after one month, a 4 pack after 2 months and the full 6 pack after 3 months!

Daily planning and tracking is how I am going to stay focused so here is what I think I will track initially – might change over time though:

1. Today’s Weight
2. Goal progress
3. Potential pitfalls specific to today
4. Opportunities specific to today
5. Results of the day – some updated during the day and the rest at the end of the day
6. Inspirations
   • Possibly Motivational quotes
   • Goal body part pic from someone’s blog, twitter, pinterest or facebook
7. Small win of the day – gotta celebrate the little things and enjoy the process
8. Tweeter of the day with picture
9. Site of the day
10. General Observations and plans for tomorrow

Go here to check my ab goal progress – links will be live as I progress:

• Six Pack Abs – Month 1 – 2 pack abs
• Six Pack Abs – Month 2 – 4 pack abs
• Six Pack Abs – Month 3 – 6 pack abs
• Before and After?
• Six Pack Abs – Maintain?

Also, contact us if you want to be included as a guest loser/ab gainer!