6 Pack Abs

Who among us doesn't dream of showing off a set of 6 pack abs? Unfortunately, for most Americans, the cooler we keep them in is so full of fat that we don’t even realize they're there.

How to Achieve 6 Pack Abs

Contrary to popular belief, doing thousands of sit-ups and crunches a day will not guarantee a lean midsection. Rather, carving out 6 pack abs takes a combination of good nutrition, exercise and dedication.

The only way you will ever see a set of rock solid abdominal muscles is to lose the belly fat that covers them. To do this, experts recommend the following tips:

Low-Fat Diet

To reveal ripped abs you must decrease your body fat. That means if you eat breakfast at McDonald’s and hit up Burger King at lunchtime, it's time to re-evaluate your diet. Nutritionists suggest eating smaller portions of food five to seven times a day, rather than three large meals. Health experts also warn against skipping breakfast. A University of Massachusetts study showed that men who skip their morning meal are nearly five times more likely to have bulging bellies than those who don't. Therefore, experts recommend consuming a healthy meal containing at least 250 calories within an hour of waking.

Other diet tips:

• Concentrate on consuming more lean protein such as grilled chicken, tuna, turkey and egg whites.
• Moderate the amount of carbohydrates you eat. Instead of filling up with pasta, bread and cereal, choose brown rice and yams.
• Cut out sugar-laden treats and high fat snacks.
• Increase the amount of fresh fruit and vegetables you eat.

Effective Exercise Routine

Everyone has abs; it’s just that most of us have a layer of flab covering them. The key to revealing a toned tummy is to burn off the blubber burying your 6 pack. The most effective strategy to accomplish this goal is to adopt a fitness regimen that includes both cardiovascular conditioning and weight lifting. According to a recent University of Southern Maine study, 30-minutes of pumping iron burns as many calories as running at a 6-minute-per-mile pace for the same amount of time. Lifting weights also increases metabolism by increasing lean tissue mass. Lean tissue burns more calories at rest, which helps to decrease body fat. For the best results, experts recommend getting in at least three to four sessions of aerobic activity per week and lifting weights on the days in between.

Proper Sleep

A University of Chicago study recently found that just three nights of poor sleep can cause cells to become resistant to the hormone insulin. Over time, this leads to fat storage in the abdominal region. Thus, to achieve washboard abs you need to get proper sleep. Experts recommend no less than seven to eight hours of shut-eye per night.

Stay Hydrated

If your body is dehydrated, it will retain water and give you a bloated appearance that further hides your abdominal muscles. It is important to stay well hydrated during your weight loss process in order to avoid water retention. Experts recommend drinking at least 16-ounces of chilled water as soon as you get up in the morning. A study by German scientists recently found that doing this boosts metabolism by 24 percent for 90 minutes afterward. Researchers also note that muscle cells grow faster when they're well hydrated.

6 Pack Assistance

Losing belly fat is a tedious process. It requires time, work, and dedication. There are thousands of companies and licensed individuals who have ideas on how to carve out ripped abs. If you are struggling to create an effective plan to reveal your personal 6 pack, then you might consider accepting assistance from the following resources:

• Videos
• Books
• Personal plans with step-by-step instructions
• Fitness websites

Benefits of Strong Abs

Hardcore abdominal muscles look fabulous, but they also aid core body strength. A strong core helps protect us from injury. Whether you are a professional athlete or a mom trying to avoid a nasty fall while balancing a child in one arm and groceries in the other, strong abs are a welcome asset.

• Pictures of People Exercising
• Women Fitness Models
• Male Fitness Model

• Breast Lifting Exercise
• Contour Abs
• Naked Exercise
• Naked Pilates
• Hula Hoop Exercises

• List of the Best Abdominal Exercises
• Exercises for Losing Weight
• Washboard Abs
• Hip Hop Abs
• Stomach Toning Exercise