Abs By Summer

So if you're like most of us you have been longing for a visible set of abs for as long as you can remember. I know for a fact I was after that elusive ripped mid-section for years. With all the information that is out there it seems like an overwhelming task that will never happen. Between the media, all the fitness magazines highlighting models with perfect genetics and the constant onslaught of ab gizmos guaranteed to bring results in minutes a day, its enough to make you want to throw in the towel and run for the nearest fast food joint.

There is a lot of good news and some bad news.

Bad news first: A really nice defined midsection is the result of hard work and commitment to a fairly strict diet plan.

Now for the good news: It is not impossible and probably easier than you might think to bring out your much-anticipated "Six Pack".

This two-step process is guaranteed to bring results; the only variable as to your outcome will be how much you work versus how much you cheat.

First things first............. Your diet will need to be as close to perfect as you can stand. Best results will be had by those who can eliminate sugars and processed foods and replace them with high quality proteins (chicken, fish, turkey and protein powders) and plenty of whole grains and fibrous carbs.

· Get rid of all soda and alcohol in your diet, these are empty calories and actually work against your fitness goals.
· Add more protein to your diet. This one is too easy.
· Try to stick to whole grains (whole wheat breads and pitas for sandwiches).
· Fibrous carbs (with regards to vegetables - the greener the better).
· Water - 8 glasses a day is the minimum. More if you exercise.

Second, Ab exercises: You may not believe this, although this is the least of your worries. Diet is much more important when it come to a lean midsection than what or how many ab crunches you do.

Most of the people I know with really defined abs tell me that they never even do a single crunch or leg lift. I am not sure I believe them when they tell me this although I am sure it is not too far from the truth.

You can get away with doing a couple of exercises three times a week and see very nice results.

I would suggest doing an exercise for your Rectus Abdominis (middle and upper abs), another for your lower abs and at least one stretching movement.

There are tons of exercises I could name, although the ones that work best seem to also be the easiest to perform. The standard Crunch for upper abs will always get the trick done and can be done anywhere, so there is never any excuse not to do them.

· Try to perform three sets to failure.

Leg raises for your lower abs not only hit the abs well, they will also force you to keep your lower back tight, thus killing two birds with one stone.

· Also three sets to failure.

I would suggest to stretch the entire abdominal wall after each workout. This will keep your midsection tight and limber for years to come.

So to wrap things up, getting the abs of your dreams is not nearly as impossible as you might think and can become a reality if you are willing to put in some work on the diet and complete a few exercises per week.

Please remember to keep it simple and always stay positive in reaching your goals.

Make sure to always consult a licensed physician before taking on any new fitness endeavor.

Lets Stay Fit Forever...

Jeff Olah - # 1 Online Fitness Professional from Southern California

Fit Dealz

Effective Abs Exercises - Part II

It is important that you combine the following ab workouts with the others we have previously discussed for more intense results.Alternate exercises which target the front midsection with ab workouts that target the sides.The most common ab workouts revolve around the basic crunches, though variations are made to target nuance areas around the abdomen.

A great thing about the abdominal crunch in exercises is that it focuses the strain all in one small area - that is, the midsection, by controlling contractions.The following ab workouts are designed for a better-rounded abdomen, and also to expose those enviable muscles called the six-pack.

Intense exercises, coupled with an over-all body shaping program, will give proportion to the entire body.Try the following ab workouts to burn that beer belly and reveal that six pack.

Wood chop ab workouts are exercises designed to target your side abdominals.This is a great way for beginners to try out since it involves simple movements while giving great contractions to your abdominals.You begin your exercises by attaching one end of an exercise rubber band to something stationary and sturdy, and then wrap your hand around the other end for increased tension.

Continue your exercises by grasping the end of the rubber band with both hands, and then begin a lunging position, reaching down with the arms.Keep your arms straight the entire time you do your workout, rotate and lift your body sideways while doing a diagonal motion.

Repeat your exercises by returning to starting position and moving to the other side.Trying out this workout tightens your side abdominals if done properly, and preferably regularly.In addition, these ab workouts must not be overdone as it may cause possible irreversible damage to your abdominal muscles.Overdoing your regimen may cause muscle damage and other injuries.

The recommended regimen for your ab workouts would be to perform several exercises, at least three to five at a time, two to three times a week with a day's rest in between ab workouts.The purpose of this is to make sure your abdominals get the most contractions during your regimen while giving them time to relax, thereby reducing muscle tear and other injuries which may be experienced when overdoing ab workouts.

You can start your ab workouts by doing two sets of ten to fifteen repetitions per exercise.As you progress in your exercises, you can move to three sets of twenty repetitions, and so on as you become accustomed to the increasing strain.

Remember, you should not do all of the available exercises in your regimen as there may be strain to your muscles; too much of it results to tissue damage.You can try out these simple exercises and incorporate them in your ab workouts.

In the "Alternating superman" workout, you begin by lying face down on an exercise mat with your arms stretched way above your head, just like superman.You continue your regimen by raising your right arm and left leg about five to six inches off of the floor, or preferably as far as you comfortable can.Hold this position in your exercises for three seconds and then relax your body.Repeat your ab workouts by doing the exact same process with the other arm and leg. In side bend ab workouts, you begin by holding a dumbbell with your hand, then stand with your feet shoulder width apart and knees slightly bent.Continue your ab workouts by placing your left hand behind your head and slowly bend sideways to your right side while lowering the weights to your knees.Finish your regimen by returning to first position and repeating with the other side.

James never thought he would be a personal gym trainer when he once weighed 311 lbs.He is now a total fanatic about muscle-building and crunches his way through his CSI. Now doing freelance teaching to people who require proper healthy diets, he always advocate his motto of "not giving up".

Get to know more about Ab Workouts Here!

The 2 Healthy Fitness Tips that Burn More Fat and Dish Out More Washboard Abs than All Others

You've heard that you should exercise...?

That working out is the "most important thing" you can do to experience fast weight loss...

But I tell you...What's the point if you don't see results?

It amazes me how many people kill themselves day in and day trying to sweat those pounds off, but never see any results...Yet they would never dream of stopping! You can call it persistence...I call it foolish! It's absolutely crazy to keep doing the same things without seeing any results!

Do you want to lose weight fast, shred that disgusting body fat and reclaim your figure?

There are 2 healthy fitness tips that can transform your body at lightning speed! The only catch...You have to be willing to change your old ways!

If you have the will, here is the way...

Timing is Everything
Have you ever considered what would be the best time to burn fat? The vast majority of those who try to lose weight tend to exercise later into their day. Consider this...The problem with trying to sweat it out later in the day is that you have eaten before you exercise. As a result, your body uses much of what you have just eaten for energy instead of your fat supplies! If you want to burn fat at your optimal rate the best time to exercise is in the morning, before you eat anything. At this time your body has just went six or more hours without food and your stomach is empty. As a result your body is forced to rely more heavily on your body fat for energy...You will burn more of that disgusting flab.

There is an Order to Things
Are your workouts one sided? The vast majority of those who want to lose weight walk or jog? They never get involved with strength training exercises like lifting weights. The optimal fat burning workouts combine both strength training and cardiovascular training. For example, a great workout for shredding flab would be to lift weights for 20 minutes and then jog for 10 minutes. Lifting weights is an anaerobic exercise...It causes your body to burn primarily glycogen and other related carbohydrates. If you lift weights before you jog your body will have to dip more heavily into your fat reserves because you have just burned up all of the other energy reserves with the weight training.

These 2 healthy fitness tips are very easy to follow. Begin this moment to implement them into each day and you will notice very fast results...Guaranteed!

Author Bio:
Jason Clemens is a leading weight loss and nutrition expert.
"Learn amazing healthy fitness tips that will
produce lightning fast weight loss?"
==>Visit naturally-lose-weight-fast.com

The Quick and Easy Way to Tone Up Your Abs - Part 4

All About Abs - 6 Months of Ab Workouts

Exercises for Variety and Development 24 Weeks of Abs Routines That Won't Be Routine

I'd like to tell you more about abdominals at this point but we've come to the end of the 4 part series and now it's simply time to get onto the workouts.

In short, you've learn about the two key concepts that are required to show off your abs in the first place. You've also discovered why nutrition is the most important part of any ab quest. And you are about to learn the final segment of 6-pack abs by utilizing some of the most important abdominal exercises. Moreover...

You won't be spending countless hours doing the same old boring ab work. This 6 month plan was molded to give you a well rounded routine and keep it interesting and challenging.

Not only will you be able to see your abs, you'll make your entire core stronger and that will translate into a stronger body overall.

So let me ask you...

Why would you ever spend another dime on a program or book when you've got the entire arsenal you need in this series to have professional bodybuilding abdominals? My strong hunch is...

After doing this 6 month program, eating right and lowering your body fat levels, you should be able to send me a personal success story.

Without further noise, let's get to the workouts!

Additional Tips for a Six Pack

Before you begin, it's recommended you understand how each exercise is performed to achieve the maximum results.

http://www.beginning-bodybuilding.com/6monthsofabs.htm

Note: * A1 & A2, and following letter pairs reference joined exercises (supersets) One exercise A1 followed immediately without rest by A2.

Note: 4-point tempo explained:
2010 tempo =
2 = negative/eccentric action
0 = pause in stretch position
1 = positive/concentric action
0 = pause in contracted position
 

* You can substitute a crunch for a double crunch if you want the overall exercise to be more difficult.

* By doing a variety of movements, you are targeting all the areas of the midsection. Using bodyweight is usually preferred over heavy weights that tend to build up and thicken the midsection.

* Rep ranges in this program are suggested. Go for 'perceived' exertion. If you can do more, do more. Judge a set by how you feel not how many reps you do.

* Keep the tension on the abdominals at all times.

The Ripped Abdominal Workout Series

Week 1-2

Exercise: A1 - Decline Reverse Crunch & A2 - Crunches
Sets: 3
Reps: 15
Tempo: 2010
Rest Period: 30 seconds
 

Exercise B1 - Oblique Crunch
Sets: 2
Reps: 15
Tempo: l & r 2010
Rest Period: 60 seconds
 

Week 3-4
 

Exercise: A1 - Alternate Heel Touches
Sets: 3
Reps: 15-20
Tempo: 2010
Rest Period: 30 seconds
 

Exercise B1 - Ab Wheel
Sets: 3
Reps: 10
Tempo: 3010
Rest Period: 60 seconds
 

Exercise: C1 - Seated Plate Twists
Sets: 3
Reps: 12
Tempo: 2020
Rest Period: 30 seconds
 

Exercise D1 - Cable Crunch
Sets: 2
Reps: 15
Tempo: l & r 2110
Rest Period: 60 seconds
 

If you want to see Weeks 5-24, please use the following location. The series is continued here: http://www.beginning-bodybuilding.com/6monthsofabs.htm

Best Flat Tummy Exercises for Great Female Abs

Are there flat tummy exercises that are the best for great female abs? Abs-olutely! To make this list, the female abs exercises must be safe, effective and can be done nearly anywhere. Your abs can be worked out every day. Here are great flat tummy exercises:

1. Tummy Isometric Crunch - exhale, then suck in your stomach as far as you can, hold for about 15 seconds. Relax and breathe. Visualize moving your bellybutton straight toward your back. Holding in your tummy muscles and tensing your abs is a good way of firming and strengthening them. You will also become more aware of how to control your tummy muscles. Repeat several times. This exercise can be done anywhere, anytime.

Note - if you have high blood pressure, do not hold your breath for extended periods of time.

2. Rectus Abdominis Tummy Exercises (doesn't that sound great?):

a. Lie on your back on the floor with bent knees and your feet flat on the floor, knees and feet spread apart the width of your hips.
b. Place your hands gently on the sides of your head for support, spreading your elbows so you cannot see them.
c. With your chin tucked toward your chest, gently curl upward and forward so that your head, neck and shoulder blades lift off the floor and your lower back presses against the floor (if you want, start with your head resting on a pillow which has your head and neck in the correct position to begin).
d. Pause just a moment, then gently return to the starting position.
e. Repeat several times.

Note - do not use your arms to complete the curl. If you can see your elbows, you're cheating. Do not put your feet under anything since this lessens the effectiveness of these types of flat tummy exercises. If this female abs exercise is too difficult for you, do the next one below.

3. Sit-Back Flat Tummy Exercises - if your female abs muscles are weak and you have trouble lifting yourself off the floor in #2 above, here is an alternate flat tummy exercise for you:

a. Start in a sitting position on the floor with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor (secure your feet under a piece of furniture).
b. Cross your arms over your chest and roll your head and shoulders forward toward your chest.
c. Gently and slowly lean back, keeping your head and shoulders tucked. Continue until you begin to feel your stomach muscles contracting.
d. Then try to lean back just a bit more if you can and hold that position until your muscles start shaking. Try to hold this position with your muscles shaking for five seconds, then ease back to the upright sitting position.
e. Repeat in a few seconds.

4. Reducing Chewing Exercises - yes, as in jaw muscles used for excessive chewing as in overeating. Reducing overeating or exercising those jaw muscles less may be necessary to have great female abs. No one can see your great female abs if they are covered with body fat! Having great female abs may require losing some body fat. Losing body fat means:

a. Cardio exercise on a regular basis - getting the heartbeat up with fun whole-body workouts several times a week.
b. Healthy eating habits - eating healthy foods, eliminating sodas/junk food and taking in fewer calories than you burn each day.
c. Besides flat tummy exercises, strength training for the whole body - any muscle tissue you add will burn extra calories 24/7.

Besides looking great, having great female abs is about good health. Visually and physically, the midsection is the center of the body and the foundation of strength. Weak abdominals leave a woman weaker looking and vulnerable to lower back pain. At first, the goal is to build up the basic strength in the female abs area with flat tummy exercises. And remember, always check with your health care provider before starting any exercise program. Start out slowly and gradually build up your strength and repetitions.

For great abs and good health, the ideal is to reduce body fat down to no lower than 15-20% for women. Sometimes, doing flat tummy exercises is the EASY part, losing excess body fat is the TOUGH part. Eat right, exercise right -- it may take time, just don't give up on your dream of having those great female abs.

Olinda Rola is President of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com - a website of physician-recommended natural treatments and articles for a variety of health issues. Visit the website for an excellent free Permanent Weight Loss report you can view online right now.