There are few things that turn a head quicker than a bare torso with well-defined abdominal muscles. You’ll hear them called many things; ripped abs, 6-pack abs, shredded abs, washboard stomach. Whatever you choose to call them, there’s no denying that highly developed abdominal muscles are considered sexy by both genders.
Unfortunately, with obesity on the rise globally, a great looking stomach with lots of muscle definition is eye-candy we don’t get to see very often. Too many beer guts, too many French fries, and too much overly processed foods keep many from ever experiencing the mass appeal of rock hard abs.
Further making it difficult are the myths that we’ve been led to believe. This article will put to rest the top three myths surrounding ripped abs and give you the truth about what it takes to achieve them.
Myth Number One – Ripped abs come from doing enough crunches, sit-ups, or abdominal exercises.
This is just plain wrong. If you have layers of fat covering your muscles, you could do crunches in the hundreds or even thousands and never see any results. The same is true of sit-ups and all the hokey ‘ab machines’ being sold on late night infomercials. Unless and until you get rid of the fat, you won’t have ripped abs. Even if you’re able to tone the muscles underneath, the fat will prevent you from seeing any results. This also applies to so-called ‘spot reducing’; you can’t remove fat from a specific area of the body. The key is decreasing overall fat and the belly fat will also disappear.
Myth Number Two – It’s all about the Cardio.
Extensive cardio or 60 to 90 minute aerobic classes are a thing of the past in fat loss. They are still great tools to keep up your fitness levels, but not the most efficient way to burn body fat. The most successful approach is performing 3 to 4 full body strength training routines each week. Building muscle and creating an opportunity to capitalize on metabolically active tissue allows your body to burn fat more efficiently and to keep that furnace burning long after the workout is over.
Myth Number Three – As long as you’re working out, you can eat whatever you want.
This may be the most sabotaging myth of all. To have ripped abs involves a balance of diet and exercise, and this means the right exercises AND the right diet. According to most trainers who specialize in the fat loss area, your diet can account for as much as 80% of the success you have in achieving a six-pack. The recommendation is a moderate protein, moderate carbohydrate, and low fat diet to reduce overall body fat, including the midsection. Smart choices are nutritious, wholesome foods, as close to their natural state as possible. Processed foods should be avoided whenever you can.
Anyone can develop awesome, sexy, head turning ripped abs. A healthy, nutritional diet, strength training exercise to burn off the fat and the proper ab exercises are the three key ingredients that will give you the ripped abs you want and a washboard stomach you’ll be proud to display.
