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Abs at 45: How Lee Pulliam Turned a “Fun Challenge” Into a Defined Midsection

Abs at 45: How Lee Pulliam Turned a “Fun Challenge” Into a Defined Midsection

After nearly two decades without a visible six-pack, he leaned on structure, accountability, and smart supplementation to finish what he started.

Written By Jim Stoppani, PhD

Updated January 20, 2026

For years, Lee Pulliam trained consistently and saw results. But there was always one stubborn problem area: his abs.

“I had been working out for quite a few years and had great results when I focused on a particular area,” Lee says. “The problem was that if I focused on one area, a different area would suffer. That area was almost always my midsection.”

The strength was there. The definition wasn’t. And at 45 years old, Lee decided it was time to change that.

“I wanted to see my abs again,” he says. “After all, it had been close to 20 years since I had a solid six pack.”

Following a Proven Example

Lee’s inspiration came from close to home. He watched his wife set her own fitness goals, and she crushed them all.

“My wife had tried this 75 Hard challenge and had tremendous results,” Lee says. “I was so impressed that I decided I would follow her lead… and I know how much more difficult it can be for mothers to lose weight than for men.”

Early on, everything clicked. Nutrition tracking was dialed in. Workouts were consistent. Water intake was timed to the minute.

“This was a fun challenge,” Lee says. “Until it wasn’t.”

When Motivation Ran Out

Around day 27, the honeymoon phase ended. “I could tell that my results were slowing down,” Lee says. “I wasn’t getting that satisfaction at the scale every morning. The challenge just turned into a job.”

That’s when the real transformation began—not physically, but mentally.

“This is where I can say that I learned the most about nutrition, consistency, and myself,” Lee says. “I was going to finish this challenge out of spite.”

He had built in accountability by telling everyone he knew what he was doing. “That was a strategic move on my part,” Lee says. “Once I knew that quitting wasn’t an option, it was time to push.”

Training, Recovery, and Relentless Consistency

Lee stuck with what he loved in the gym: a classic muscle-building training split .

Monday: Back and biceps
Tuesday: Chest and triceps
Wednesday: Legs
Thursday: Shoulders
Friday: Biceps, triceps, and forearms

For his daily cardio , he kept it simple. “I mainly just walked my dog,” he says. “He enjoyed the exercise and I enjoyed having a sidekick that wouldn’t get tired.”

Recovery mattered, too. Lee leaned heavily on JYM supplements to stay consistent. “I had my Pre JYM to help my workouts get going and I had my Pro JYM and Post JYM for recovery,” he says. “I still use those today as well as Alpha JYM X . I know that combo was crucial for my recovery.”

The Photo That Changed Everything

Day 75 hit early in the morning, just like every other check-in. “I always did that first thing in the morning about five minutes after waking up,” Lee says.

When he compared the before-and-after photos, it finally sank in.

“When I saw the difference in the two photos, I knew I had accomplished something,” he says. “This looked like some of those guys and girls I see on the JYM Army page .”

The pride didn’t come from the abs alone. “That has remained something that I am extremely proud of,” Lee says. “Not because of the results, but because I didn’t quit. That in return gave me the results.”

Still Grinding, Still Pushing Forward

Lee hasn’t slowed down. Even through holidays, he stays active: yoga, walking, and daily gym sessions keep him moving.

“I’m still grinding in the gym every day,” he says. “I think after the new year I will take on one of Dr. Stoppani’s challenges and push myself again.”

And to anyone thinking about starting?

“If you have ANY desire to change your appearance with solid nutrition and exercise, do it,” Lee says. “Be about it. Once you start, don’t stop.”

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