The Truth About Defining Your Abs and Abdominal Area - The Secret Is In The Food!

Since it's almost summer again I'm sure many people are out looking for ways to get that great six-pack developed. The problem with this is that you can't just decide a few months ahead that you are going try to get your abs moving now. This has to be a priority in your life at all times. Depending where you are at physically you need at least 3-6 months of dietting and intense training.

I would say that abs are 80% diet and 20% exercise. What you have to do is plan a good schedule. You have to know when you have free time and when you are not available. Another thing you have to lower your overall stress (students, laborers, etc) because you will not subject yourself to a steady diet if you are highly stressful. Trust me, I speak from experience. So that aside, I think everyone with some motivation can get their abs to appear and in some cases make them defined to the point that they should be receiving calls from fitness magazines!

Ok so the first step would be to get your eating plan. In order for this to work you have to determine your weight, goal weight, and body fat. Usually males need to be lower than 10% BodyFat to reveal their abs and women need to be lower than about 17% BodyFat. A good healthy diet would consists foods such as:

-Oatmeal
-100% whole grains (cereal, bread, etc)
-Lean Meats (chicken, tuna)
-Green Vegetables (green peas, green beans, broccoli, spinach)
-Eggs
-Nuts and Seeds (peanuts, almonds)
-Natural Peanut Butter
-Cottage Cheese

Sticking to a diet is quite possibly the hardest part about developing abs. A good rule of thumb is to take in 10-12x your weight in calories per day. Most people eat a few large meals per day which lowers your metabolism. Healthy dieters will eat 5-6 meals per day to keep their metabolism at top speeds, burning more fat. Also, a major factor for losing fat is drinking a lot of water. Multply your weight by .66 and this is how much water you should take in in ounces per day.

As for supplements

A good supplement to take is Whey Protein. This is easily absorbed by the human body and generates a lot of fat loss while increasing the speed of your metabolism. This also helps build muscle after every work out so that your muscles will be available faster the next time you work out. I'll also recommend Flaxseed oil as a supplement. There's been some reports that claim flaxseed oil helps burn fat much faster. I personally use this and believe it works great.

Exercises

Beginners will want to take it easy and start with regular situps and crunches. As you develope your ab strength you can move up the next level and start doing weighted situps. Begin by putting 5 pound weights on each hand resting on your chest and do situps that way, about 4 sets of 20 to start. As time progresses you'll eventually be able to do 4 sets of 50 with 15 pound weights on each hand!

Stretches

In between your sets it's a major plus to be stretching your abdominal area by laying on your stomach and doing a superman pose with your arms and legs up as high as possible. Another good stretch is laying on your forearms at 90 degress and keeping that pose for as long as 1:30secs.

I'm in really good shape after doing different routines similar to the above statements for about 6 months. I was in average shape but it took a little longer because I was on and off my diet.

These are the basics for losing bodyfat and getting in shape for summer and to reveal your abs, that's right, reveal them. Everyone has abs, they just aren't viewable yet! Don't worry, don't stress, anyone and everyone can have the body they want with time, effort, and discipline. Remember, it's just a matter of time before you get what you have always dreamed of!

Good luck! Best Wishes!

Hi my name is Ernie I live in California and I'm an athlete. I was supposed to play for San Jose but I injured my knee and now I can't play for them anymore. I'm currently a college student and I'm self employed. Currently working on my online business that I'm just starting up.
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Choosing The Best Pilates Abs Exercise DVD's For Your Lower Ab Workouts

There are hundreds of Pilates abs exercise DVD's out in the marketplace. How do you choose?

First, have you tried Pilates? Maybe you've seen Pilates abs exercise DVD's on the shelves of your favorite bookstore, or at your local DVD rental store. Whether you are trying to lose weight, or maintain your fitness during a pregnancy, you are sure to find some Pilates exercise DVD's for your next fitness workout.

The best Pilates abs exercise DVD's are the ones that are performed by a Pilates professional and offer a total body workout. Pilates is for the whole body! Most DVD’s of Pilates mat exercises will present that, but some focus on lower ab workouts. Others may concentrate on legs, arms or butt exercises.

Here are a few examples of Pilates exercise DVD's:

• Mari Winsor: Mari is a commercialized big seller and popular with celebrities. Her DVD's are traditionally based and move at a rapid pace. Her Winsor Pilates DVD's are geared to the established Pilates practitioner and not necessarily for a Pilates beginner. However, her style is easy going and her method of Pilates is more classical and calisthenic.

• Moira Stott Merrithew: Another huge seller. Moira’s DVD's are safe, slow and very well explained. Her pacing is generally slower than a more traditional approach. She has taken the Pilates method and applied current biomechanical knowledge, so you’re in good hands, though may need a cup of coffee to get through.

• Ana Caban: Ana has DVD's distributed through Gaiam. She’s likable and her exercises are easily understood. But I always feel like something is missing. The workouts never feel complete to me. She is knowledgeable and the most pleasant of any you’ll see in any of the Pilates abs exercise DVD's out there. They are a safe choice.

• Romana Kryzanowska: Romana is a legend who actually studied with Joseph Pilates. She teaches the only way she knows how. She does “what Joe taught me”. What you get is the closest thing to what was invented by Pilates himself. Her DVD's are not easy! Even the basic moves might be considered too tough for a Pilates beginner. But it’s pure and fun and in the end, it’s very refreshing!

Beware of Pilates abs exercise DVD's that offer workouts for body parts. Pilates DVD's of lower ab workouts and ab exercises are not complete thoughts. Pilates is a full body workout. Try a few different Pilates abs exercise DVD's. Or better yet, find a qualified instructor in your area and make an appointment.

Susannah Marchese is a certified Pilates fitness instructor and a senior contributing writer to http://www.everything-about-pilates.com/absexercise-dvds.html

Susannah Marchese - http://www.everything-about-pilates.com

How to Flatten Your Abs Without Sit-ups

Many for years have been led to believe that you need to do a massive amount of sit-ups in order to get the flat abs you so desire. The truth is, however, it doesn’t have to be that way at all. As a matter of fact, just a few simple exercises can help you flatten your abs with ease!

The first exercise you can do is called V-ups. These are done by lying flat on the floor with your hands over your head touching the ground. When you have achieved this position, raise your torso and legs in a simultaneous motion while keeping your legs straight. Reach your hands towards your feet making them touch if possible. Hold this position for a few seconds, and then return to the flat position that you first began with. Repeat this as much as you’d like, and you are sure to flatten your abs.

The second exercise you can do is called the lunge Chop. This is done by taking medicine ball in both hands and holding it over one of your shoulders. Step forward with the leg that is opposite to the shoulder over which the ball is being held until the knee is t a ninety degree angle. When you have achieved this position, swing the ball down in a chopping motion. Do this eight times and then switch to the other shoulder. This, too, is another way in which you can flatten your abs.

The last exercise is sort of fun, and it is called the Barbell Rollout. This is done by gripping a barbell over handedly while kneeling on the floor. When this position has been achieved, roll the barbell s far out way from you as possible with your hand still gripping, and then roll it back in towards you. In order for this exercise to be effective, these must be done in sets of ten.

Have fun flattening your abs and getting the stomach of your dreams. NO more will you ever have to go through so much trouble getting rid of the fat.

Download your free report today and discover the SHOCKINGLY simple abdominal workouts, exercises and nutritional advice that will shed pounds from your stomach & transform your flabby belly into firm & flat six pack abs Visit http://www.firmupyourabs.com to download your free copy.