AT 54 would I lose more inches using a treadmill or doing ab excercises?

You need to read some books about nutrition so you know how to eat right. Fat is made of carbon and hydrogen. The only way it comes out of the body is if it is turned into carbon dioxide and water and then it comes out through the lungs. So that involves a lot of heavy breathing, and that means jogging or aerobic dancing. Figure on losing one pound per week when you are doing things right. If you want to reduce specific areas, that usually requires professional guidance.