You can do millions of crunches and still not have that coveted "six-pack" look. Learn what else is necessary to sculpt your abs in this informative article, which includes example exercises -- and get the look for yourself!
Every day, especially as summer nears, we’re faced with images of impeccably toned abs. They scream out to us from TV commercials and magazine covers, “magic” diet pill displays and billboards. Unfortunately, when we look in the mirror, it’s not a reflection of those images that we see. Instead of ripples, we see bulges; instead of taut muscles, we see flab. But it’s not too late! Those visions of loveliness, those tight, toned abdominals, can be more than just a dream! Remember, we’re all put together in basically the same way, and what worked for the celebrities and swimsuit models can work for a regular guy or gal like you and me. So how do we go about getting from a keg to a six-pack? Here are a few basic tips.
Change your diet.
You can do hundreds upon thousands of crunches and sit-ups … you can have the most well-defined abs in the world … but is that going to matter if they’re buried under a layer of fat? Diet is a crucial first step to getting the abdominals you’ve always wanted. The specifics of how you lose the weight are up to you – there are a gazillion diet plans out there – but the basic premise of dieting is to burn more calories than you consume. Figure out your normal, non-dieting daily caloric intake and then try reducing it by about 500 calories. Cut down on processed carbohydrates and get plenty of lean protein. And drink plenty of water! Whatever the method, experts recommend a slow and steady weight loss (one or two pounds per week) rather than a rapid “quick-fix.” Fast weight loss generally consists of mostly water weight and won’t do you much good in the long run.