How To Get Abs

P.S. I’m still working to get my abs after six months. Unfortunately there is no quick fix!

Most fitness experts recommend setting goals that establish healthy habits rather than fixating on visible results like uncovering your six-pack, for a good reason…Very few people can achieve this look, regardless of what they do. Most people who make this their goal will fail and ultimately give up exercise all together. I know I’ve got to the point where I wonder if I’ll ever see mine or not!

That’s because the rectus abdominis (the primary muscle responsible for making the stomach look more defined) is typically covered by belly fat that you can’t spot reduce. You can work your abs all you want, but if you have a layer of fat over them, the ‘pack’ can’t be seen. It’s very unrealistic for most people to have body fat percentages low enough to see the abs.

The only way to beat the odds is to develop core strength while reducing overall body fat. 

Eat carbs before workouts – Have a carb heavy snack to help power you through a workout.

Eat protein after exercise – Rebuild the muscles you break down during a workout.

Pair natural sugars and fats – Think eggs and avocado with your berries or an apple with almond butter for a snack.

Know your triggers – It’s important to listen to your body and learn what makes it bloated.

Try something other than crunches – Try exercises that challenge you to stabilise your core against imbalance or gravity, like ab roll-outs using a core-training wheel.

Ditch the scales – Too many people get hung up on how much they weigh, but the scale can be very discouraging because of the daily fluctuation in the time you weigh yourself, bloating, and hormones. Don’t forget, muscle weighs more than body fat.

Eat mostly unprocessed foods – The quality of the calories coming from something like broccoli versus chips is dramatically different!

Eat good carbs – There’s this notion that carbs are bad and that you need crazy amounts of protein to be lean and fit. Whatever you eat to get the results you want has to be sustainable, otherwise you’re going to end up right back where you started with the same habits that got you there.

Follow a program – It’s so easy to fall off track, so by having a program, you can ensure you stick to your workouts and you have accountability.

Work body parts besides your abs – You want to have abs? Well, you need legs. And your chest, and arms, and calves…after all, muscle imbalance can lead to injury in everyday activities. Balance is extremely important.

Ultimately though, the main thing that I’ve learnt on my journey to becoming a leaner version of myself, is that you can’t out train a bad diet. Trust me I’ve tried! Since I’ve been eating cleaner, I’ve noticed a massive difference, and it’s been a quicker process to see results.

So if you take anything away from this post, it’s to eat well, eat certain foods in moderation and train hard and you will eventually see results. Remember fat loss isn’t a quick fix, it’s a lifestyle change.