cslm: You should factor genetics into your fat pad situation. I am very slim, work out six days a week, always do abs ferociously, stand over 6’ 1 ” and weigh 204. For my age(60), I am very muscled but my fat pad is the same as yours. With all the improvements in my health, my fat pad has not budged a smidgeon. I attribute that to poor genetics. I would hope that your situation is not genetically related.
There is a new book out from Men Health: The Abs Diet. Maybe it can help both of us but I really watch what I eat and drink and exercise like crazy and still cant lose the fat pad.