Six Pack Abs A Myth?

You see it on television, magazines, and posters everywhere. Those perfectly symmetrical six pack abs. Can this actually be attainable?

The answer is, obviously, YES! You can have six packs and they can be a part of your reality. However, you must realize that getting six packs is no walk in the park. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and, of course, eating right.

Although many of those models are genetically gifted to having six packs, many have to go through intense diets to get the way they look. It's their job! I have a friend that tried being a model and couldn't do it because he didn't have the will power to diet right.

I'm not discouraging attempting to get six packs like those shown on advertisements. One must realize, however, that having six packs means having very low body fat levels. Around 10% is the level that your six packs will begin showing up. Getting to this level will probably be the very last process of weight loss. So in any weight loss program expect to get the abs last, not first. Don't be discouraged.

Working out to get abs is not as important as diet. Bodybuilders often state that six packs aren't made in the gym but are made in the kitchen. This is absolutely true. You can't lose weight by working out and eating whatever you want. Cutting calories is essential in any goal of having muscular definition in the abdominal area.

As for abdominal specific exercises. I feel that people already know the fact that abs exercises won't make your abs show up but let me mention it in case you don't know. Abdominal exercises do build your abs. However, having muscles and having muscles that show is totally different. Everyone knows the big guy that feels like he's so buff since he weighs around 200 pounds. However, to everyone else he is just fat. Sure he can bench press twice his weight but his body fat levels are so high that his muscle is hidden.

Another thing about abs is that they vary for different people. Some people may have symmetrical abs and others may have different types. Take a look at various bodybuilders during contests and you'll notice how every bodybuilder has different looking abs. Strange but true. Don't expect your abs to look like your favorite celebrity or model. Having goals like that is not smart. Rather, set goals like "having abs". That's a lot easier to attain than having "Brad Pitt's abs in 'Fight Club'".

Alphonso Sanchez
www.UltimateBodyReform.com

Mike Geary's Truth About Abs Review

The Truth About Abs diet and fitness program which was created by Mike Geary has become one of the most popular abdominal programs today. But what is the true nature of this program? Is it worth using? And does it suit you personally? Read the rest of this article to discover the answer.

The main thing which distinguishes Truth About Abs from other abdominal programs is that it doesn't focus on the stomach muscles at all.

I know that this may seem like a bizarre thing, but I believe that this is an advantage which this program possesses: It deals with complete body workouts and a way of life diet guidelines.

You see, the truth is that in order to burn off a lot of belly fat it is better to invest your time in intensive, full body workouts instead of wasting hours doing endless crunches and sit-ups. The rate of belly fat loss will be much higher, and since the stomach acts as a supporting muscle for many exercises of other muscle groups, your abs actually develop when you're working your full body. The Truth About Abs program shows you how to create short but effective full body workouts which will get you leaner and harder in your entire body in general and in your stomach in particular.

Is this program worth using?

I believe that any man or woman who is interested in being and looking healthy and fit will find a great deal of valuable information in this program, both in the form of dietary guidelines and in the form of fitness routines and exercises. I learned a lot since I first used this program and I trust that you will too. In fact, it can even save you a lot of money because it cuts through much of the marketing nonesense which is common in the fitness market (bogus pills, useless abs machines, and more). I know that it stopped me from buying a lot of useless stuff.

But the main advantage of this program is the active support of the creator of this program, Mike Geary. Every email I sent him with questions was answered within 1-2 days. The answers were complete and the service excellent.

However, this program isn't for everyone: if you're not prepared to alter your eating habits, do intensive workouts, and actively strive to improve your physical condition, don't use this program. This is a program for serious people. If you're the sort of person who believes that you can get flat abs without working hard, then go ahead and buy another useless gadget which will end up accumulating dust in you garage. If you are willing to invest in yourself, Truth About Abs is the program for you.

I know that it seems that I'm biased towards this program. This is my opinion. I recognize a good thing when I see it and am willing to give credit where it's due. Truth About Abs deserves this credit.

To read 23 fitness tips and 47 nutritional tips to getting a flat abs, click here: Six Pack Abs Tricks and Secrets. John Davenport wrote an extensive review about Truth About Abs and added more tips and tricks to get a flat stomach on this webpage: Truth About Abs Review and More Tips to Burn off Belly Fat.

Easy Back Workouts That Work Your Back and Abs

Want an easy way to workout your back and abs? Here are the best back workouts that work your body, yet are easy to do.

Easy Back Workouts

One of the easiest back workouts you can do is also very good for your back and abs. This will help you strengthen your back and help you improve posture. Here's how you do it.

Get on your hands and knees on an exercise mat. Look straight ahead, and align your back so that your spine is pointing like an arrow behind you.

What you want to do is allow your pelvis to drop toward the floor. Tightening up your abs will help you work them very well while you're doing these strengthening back workouts.

Don't push your pelvis, just allow it to drop. Your butt will be pointing out more, and your chest will be extended. Then you will lift your pelvis back up.

Keep your abs tightened and hold this position for five seconds. Then you will allow your pelvis to drop again. Repeat this exercise up to 15 times.

Start out with what feels comfortable for you. You can then work up to 15 repetitions. This is one of the easiest back workouts you can do, and it's low impact and will not damage your back.

This is a great way to learn how to have good posture. A great tip for posture is to point the bottom of your sternum and your tail bone to the floor.

Stand up straight and imagine that your spine is an arrow pointing at the floor. Doing this and the great workout above will strengthen, and exercise your back.

Discover how to chisel and strengthen your back at Back Workouts. Jessica S also owns Celebrity Workouts and Pilates Workouts.

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.