My abs seem to be in good shape without them.
I really don't think turning 30 is an excuse Jennifer b/c I'm on the same boat. I've been working out since HS. I noticed once I turned 30 my body starting reacting differently to what I was eating and my method of exercise. In my 20's (not trying to brag
) will keep it lean & trim (although frankly I don't think this is something you need to be losing sleep over). I only work obliques once a week. Abs twice a week, with the heaviest weights I can stand.). Seems like my body is changing & maturing. On the one hand I kinda like the more curvy, feminine look it's given me. On the other hand, I could do without the cottage cheese on my a$$. 
), and I've noticed that while I have some definition in my transverse abdominus (I think that's the muscle that runs up and down the middle of the stomach, yes?), I have the love handles that cause that lovely muffin top. My sides are a little more (ok, a lot more) "doughy" and soft. I wonder if it's because the muscles underneath them aren't as worked and therefore the skin/fat just sorta hangs over them and aren't stretched out enough, but then I keep thinking in my head that there's no such thing as spot reducing, so even if I did work my obliques more, there's no guarantee those love handles would go away anyhow..
I will say though that what works best for me now is k-boxing and lower ab work. I really hate floorwork abs. I do it twice a week or so but I have neck and shoulder issues so I just really don't enjoy it. After a k-boxing workout I'll do some sets of knee ins on a bench and weighted lower leg lifts. Another great ab exercise is decline sit ups...those are my fav
Chastity
) is actually my most defined body part....as everyone else has said- nutrition is key here too.
The muscle that runs up and down is the rectus abdominus. The transverse abdominus is the muscle low on the abdominals, that acts like a girdle to hold things in (it's worked with things like dead bugs and plank work, and doesn't really show).
I was thinking....I wonder is it one or the other? If you don't have hips then you have to fight that pouch? No...that can't be it! LOL The reason I say this is b/c two of my friends have flat bellys, all the time! No matter what they eat or when and one of them as had 3 kids in the last 6 yrs. The other one is 15 weeks pregnant with her 2nd and STILL not showing! I swear I popped out as soon as I found out with my 2nd. But both of these girls have more hip then me (of course cause Im like a ruler to) and my other friend. I also wanted to add that the only reason I knew my other friend was bloated that night was b/c she brought it up, claiming that she looked like she was pregnant
So Im going to try a little experiment and get back to you fine ladies! Im going to give myself a month, in a certain calorie range of clean eating, no night time picking and some good 'ole ab work and I will come back to report
Lori
Maybe shoulder pads will come back in style...then I'll be a little more balanced.
