The most common question I get asked about body transformation is:

How can I flatten my stomach and are six pack abs really possible?

We are an ‘abs-obsessed’ society and many people seem to define their fitness level by the flatness of their tummy.

Are ’6-pack’ abs really possible?

Yes and No.

Yes, we actually ALL have a ’6- pack’ already, but some people’s are are visible and others are hidden beneath layers of fat.

NO, some  people will never have visible abdominals because they lack the genetic makeup to get their body fat low enough to see the six pack. (Typically women’s body fat needs to be between 15-18% and men between 7-10%  to see the six-pack)

So in other words, yes a ’6-pack’ is possible for some with consistent (and intense) exercise and disciplined eating, but for most, getting those washboard abs  will always be a fantasy.

So does that mean you should give up exercising and eating supportively to flatten your tummy?

OF COURSE NOT!!!!

Just because a ’6-pack’ may not be in your near future, there’s a LOT you can do to flatten and tighten your midsection, no matter what kind of genetics you may have. And the reality is, you don’t need a ’6-pack’ to look great in a bathing suit.

Here are a few things you should STOP doing if you want to see an improvement in abs.

1.  Stop doing long, low intensity, repetitive cardio exercise.

This includes walking on a treadmill for 45 minutes, or doing the elliptical machine for 30 minutes while catching up on your favorite tv show.   There are many disadvantages to doing this type of cardio:1. It’s boring. 2. You don’t burn many calories. 3. Metabolism doesn’t stay elevated for any time at all 4. It’s boring.

Instead of focusing on long bouts of slow cardio, increase your intensity BIG TIME so that you’re maximizing the number of calories you burn DURING your exercise sessions and most importantly AFTER your workout. For example, sprint for 30 seconds, walk for one minute. Repeat 10 times. (If you can’t sprint walk on a steep incline) Advantages of this high intensity interval workouts: 1. Burn more calories during exercise, 2. Burn more calories after exercise 3. Increase cardiovascular capacity 4. MUCH faster results

2. Stop wasting money , time and energy on, ab-rockers, ab-loungers, endless crunches and other infomercial ab-gimmicks… they’re all a complete waste of your time and money. I cringe whenever I see someone using these ‘ab contraptions’, Despite the misleading infomercials, the perfectly chiseled fitness models in the commercials did NOT get their perfect body by using these magical “ab contraption”… they got their perfect body through REAL workouts and REAL nutrition.

You cannot burn fat in a specific area of your body by exercising that area. This is called SPOT REDUCTION and does not exist.  In fact, you have NO control over where your body burns fat. So instead of wasting your time, doing crunches or using these ‘magic ab-devices’ focus on exercises that strengthen your core and burn calories, such as planks, overhead squats and mountain climbers.

3. Stop Eating So Much Starch.

Starches include foods like potatoes, rice, bread, cereal and pasta. Most people consume WAY to much starchy.  carbohydrates relative to the amount of calorie expenditure. Cereal for breakfast, sandwiche for lunch and pasta for dinner is not an abnormal eating regimen for most people.

The problem with eating this way is that your body stores a finite supply of carbohydrates in your liver and muscles and  once that supply is full, it’s full, and additional carbohydrate consumption will be stored as fat. Limit your starchy carb  intake to mornings and after an intense workout session, and this still should not exceed  1 gram of carbohydrates per pound of bodyweight.  I personally eat starches 2-3 times per week. The rest of the time my carbohydrate consumptions comes from fruits and vegetables.

So those are just 3 of the ‘Flat-Belly’ secrets I have for you today. Follow them and you’ll be showing off your flatter tummy, and for a few of you, your ’6-pack’ in just a  few months!

If you need  a little accountability and help with staying motivated long enough to see RESULTS, my team and I at Synergize! can help you, and we have the perfect 30-day program to get you started.

Check it out at www.SynergizeRapidFatLoss.com

Hope to see you At Synergize! soon,

Shondelle Solomon-Miles

This entry was posted on July 20, 2010 at 12:52 pm. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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