Fat gain in stomach only?

[yashicaBC]

Hi. I'm a 50 year old . When I was younger i could not gain muscle no matter how much I worked out or ate. Starting in 40's metabolism has slowed down and I can now add some muscle. Over the last year, I have noticed that stomach is starting to get a bit fatter. If I flex I can see muscle shape at the edges and across the top of the stomach, but if I just relax muscles, I am starting to get a bit of a .
Now I work out hard, 3x a week. Each body part gets worked once per week, except for abs, which I work on every workout, for the past 2 years at least. I do machine crunches, and leg raises at the end of each workout, followed by around 10 minutes of vibration machine. Before I start workout I do 7 min of stationary bike at quite a high rate to get heart pumping for workout. I typically do 2 sets per exercise, with the first set being max weight for 6-8 reps, and the 2nd set half the weight for at least 30 reps, more more.
I do not see any fat on other parts of body, just stomach. I drink 1 protein drink a day, and when I go to the gym, I have another protein drink after work out. I also take multi-vitamins and creatine, and during workouts, add BCAAs to water. I do not eat excessive junk food, cooking most of meals, and when I do go out, I look for protein with little to no fat component. Any ideas on where I am going wrong with the fat gain around stomach? Sorry for the long description btw, but thanks for reading it and replying.

[Alinshop]

I will beat Bossman to the punch: Can you list the types of food and the times you are eating them?

[Boss Man]

Good call HA .

As for the machine crunches, are you talking about an abs machine or the one involving a crossover machine and a rope, because if it's the former then they're pish and you should consider switching them for something else and also, you'd be wise to limit the abs to 3x a week, so you can rest them, as you'll be getting some indirect stimulation anyway if you do things like deadlifts, cleans, squats, woodchoppers, dragon flags etc.

[yashicaBC]

sorry for the late reply. typical daily meals:

1. breakfast is whey protein drink and a small yogurt
2. mid mo rning snack is coffee and granola bar
3. lunch usually chili or left over from last dinner
4. dinner is stir fry, or grilled fish/chicken/pork chop, home made chili, or Chinese food, served with brown rice
I usually have 1/3 glass of wine 5 days a week (1.5 glasses in total)
On occasion I do have a Melona bar.
I have some fresh fruit every day.
I do NOT drink any soda pop. 1 cup of coffee a day, then water the rest of the day except for the 1/3 glass of wine.
I have an extra whey protein drink after a workout.

I use weight machines most of the time as I do not have a training partner, but as I mentioned I have progressed very well with the machines, and I am lifting the entire stack for most machines.

[Boss Man]

No need to apologise, it's fine .

1. breakfast is whey protein drink and a small yogurt

(Fine)

2. mid mo rning snack is coffee and granola bar

(I'd ditch the coffee, keep the granola and increase your protein. Things like chicken, turkey, ham or beef from a packet would work as would boiled eggs; or you could have things like peanuts or low fat cheese, but remember those last two have carbs so factor that in you you choose one of those)

3. lunch usually chili or left over from last dinner

(Not too bad depending on what it is)

(I'd have something else here between the two meals. You can have many differing options including microwave baked beans, soup and rice dishes, low fat cheese, nuts, peanuts,oat granolas, vegetables including pineapple, raw carrot and celery sticks, fruits including tomato and cucumber, beef, chicken, turkey and ham from a packet, boiled eggs, flax seeds, low sugar yoghurt, bread and sandwiches)

4. dinner is stir fry, or grilled fish/chicken/pork chop, home made chili, or Chinese food, served with brown rice

(Fine)

I usually have 1/3 glass of wine 5 days a week (1.5 glasses in total)
On occasion I do have a Melona bar.
I have some fresh fruit every day.

(I'd ditch the wine, but the other two things are fine)

I have an extra whey protein drink after a workout.

(Fine)