During a presentation at a corporate health awareness event, I was asked, “ How did you get a six-pack? You probably do a gazillion crunches, right?” “No”, I answered, “Abs are made in the kitchen.” Developing six-pack abs (or reducing your abdominal/waist circumference) has more to do with nutrition and total body weight loss.
To reduce excess fat covering your six-pack (yes, you too have a six-pack) mostly requires change in diet supplemented by sleep and exercise. Here are a few tips to get you started:
Nutrition
Carb Cycling – healthy carbs, like whole wheat and quinoa, can help you feel full and be a great source of energy. However, if your body doesn’t use carbs as energy, the storage of carbs in the body can contribute to covering your abs behind a curtain of fat. Use carbs to your advantage through carb cycling.
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On days you plan to workout, increase your carb consumption. Your body will use the carbs as energy during exercise.
On days you don’t workout – reduce your consumption of carbs. For example, on days that I workout, my lunch may include a sandwich consisting of two slices of whole wheat bread, turkey, spinach, peppers and other healthy toppings. On days I don’t workout, I make a sandwich by cutting one slice of bread in half and adding turkey and the toppings previously mentioned.
Replace soda with water – soda is a major contributor to concealing your six-pack abs and widening the circumference of your abdominal/waist area. Fill up on water. Drink at least 64 ounces of water per day. Consume 16 ounces just before dinner. This will trick your body into feeling full to avoid overeating.
Load up on vegetables and fruit – this will assist in filling you up without consuming excess calories.
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Eat slowly – to assist with satiety and reduce your risk of overeating, slow down the pace at which you consume meals.
Sleep
Getting 7-8 hours of high quality sleep is critical to attaining a six-pack. According to a New York City Obesity Research study, those who get less than 7-8 hours of sleep consume almost 300 calories more per day than those…
