10 Simple Tips to Get a Six Packs

You tried the Gym, dynamic exercises and everything that your good old friend advised, but nothing helped and you still dream of those perfect six-packs. What’s gone wrong??

Actually, to get the abs of your dreams, all you need to focus is to “Lose fat and build muscles”. Toning the abdominal muscles alone would not help, as a greater percentage of the abs building efforts count  on getting rid of the fat.  In lack of fat loss efforts, the toned muscles would remain hidden behind the cover of abdominal fat.  Therefore, diet and exercise both are important to help build the abs you always wanted.

And how do you get there? It’s simple; here is what you need to do:

1.  Get the best carbs: All carbs are not corrupt. In fact the ones that you get from whole grains are truly good, as they burn slowly and are rich in fiber. Avoid the simple ones though, like pasta, rice and sugars.
2. Add Protein to the diet. Especially for breakfast. Studies have proved that taking a Protein laden breakfast generates enhanced and long lasting satiety, and one feels less hungry during the course of the day. Moreover, protein digestion costs more calories than fat or carbs.  So, include egg whites, lean meat, pulses, nuts and other low fat dairy products in the diet.
3. What on earth can beat a glass of water when you feel thirsty? So, go ahead and grab one, even better, do it every hour. Include other healthy drinks like tender coconut water, thin buttermilk, etc. Take them cold and you will burn more calories to warm them. Avoid, soda, soft drinks and fruit juices.
4. Fats are also important. But only the healthy ones would help.  Oil from olives, fish and a mix of nuts is considered most healthy. It is also important to avoid Trans fats. Banning bakery foods, pizza and other junk food would keep a check on trans-fat intake.
5. Get the right balance of vitamins and minerals. These are fundamental in normal metabolic progressions. If you lack these, the fats and protein may not perform at their best. Therefore, include fresh and seasonal fruits and vegetables in plenty.
6. Eat small meals but frequently. This would allow the body to use the nutrients in the best possible manner. This also is a tested tool to ensure that all the consumed calories are aptly used.
7. Stay away from processed foods. Processing takes away the natural goodness of the food. And to make it sellable these are added with artificial flavors, stabilizers, colors, sweeteners and hydrogenated oil. All this interfere with normal fat burning process and delays the desired results.
8. Avoid alcohol.  Alcohol contains empty calories and has zero nutritive value.  These empty calories get stored in the body as fat. Therefore, slowing the fat loss and muscle development efforts.
9. Exercise the central muscles. Once the diet has done its share of helping you get cleared of the excessive fat, you need to focus on building the abdominal muscles.  A good combination of Pilates, Cardio and weight training would direct the abdominal muscles and make way for the perfect abs.
10. It is important to eat after workouts, this would help in regaining the energy and help repair the muscle tissues and keep them strong. Consider taking egg white, nuts, whole pulse snacks, sprouts, non-fried meat, etc. after the workouts.