The truth about abs. Browse pinterest, instagram or the internet for 5 minutes and you’ll quickly be inundated with adverts like, “4 easy moves to a 6-pack,” or “all you need are these 5 abdominal exercises.”  I have to admit that these slogans make me want to tear my hair out.  What I hate most, is that they are misleading and they fool people into thinking that doing a few crunches will give you those perfect abs that we see in magazines, (which are usually photoshopped). The fact is that if all you are doing is crunches, you will probably never get the picture perfect  6-pack no matter how much you want it. There, I’ve said it and I’m not taking it back.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m a firm believer in an intense ab workout and I’ve been known to give a killer one. In fact, as my little claim to fame, I once had a Hollywood A-lister tell me that I’m the first person to teach her how to properly workout her abs. What I want to get across is that there’s so much more than just crunches to get the ripped look.

THE TRUTH ABOUT ABS

Lose the fat. This really is the hard part because the leaner you are, the better your chances of having a true 6-pack. What this means is that you need to eat extremely healthy and clean. This should be tailored to each individual. We all react differently to food and there isn’t just one diet plan that will work for everyone.  It pains me to say this as much as it probably pains you to read it, but there is no such thing as spot reduction. You will need to up your hours working out and yes, that includes both interval training and cardio. If you are one of those individuals who carries extra fat around their mid-sections, it’s going to be even harder. Let’s look at this another way, don’t think about building up your abs to break through but rather about reducing the fat so that they can show through.

Crunches aren’t everything.  What I mean by this is that doing hundreds of crunches everyday won’t actually give you better, more defined abs. Your abs, as a muscle group, consist of 4 parts: rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, and transverse abdominis and each one benefits from different and specialized workouts as well as regular rests.

The more you lose the harder it is. If you have a lot to lose, it’s easier to drop the weight at first and we all know that the last 10lbs can seem like an insurmountable mountain. So it stands to reason that it’s the same when it comes to finally seeing that 6-pack. When you are that close, it is time to step up your game.

Give it time. This can be the most frustrating tip of all. Chances are it will take you much longer to see defined abs than it will to see sculpted arms.  If, however, you don’t give up and you keep eating a healthy and lean, diet you will start seeing results.

Now to throw a wrench in all of this, it’s actually easier for the guys to get that ripped look. It’s simple, they need less body fat to survive than women do. Before you throw in the towel, however, don’t get discouraged because with a healthy diet and a little bit of work, anyone can achieve a nice toned look.  Remember, having great abs  is a lifestyle!

What’s your favourite ab workout?

*For more on the truth about abs follow me on instagram and pinterest*

*images courtesy of Dollar Photo Club