By Alloy Johnson
Almost everyone who works out would at some point in their waking life embrace the idea of having a six pack. While this is very attainable for many folks, the same just remains an idea for others. Ask the question and you will get so many different answers; it would make your head spin. So how do you really filter out the noise? The most important factor of having any chance of an appearance of abs starts in your kitchen. Yes, your diet is key. However before I go on, there’s a conversation to be had about training because they both go hand in hand.
What first comes to mind for many folks when they think about a six pack is cardio, “I have to burn fat.” In many of my articles you are going to find a common thread of over-lapping and what I am about to say is one of them. Losing fat has very little to do with how many calories you burn while working out, what is crucial is how many calories you’ve burnt between your last workout and your return to the gym or the next workout. So, for those of you who kill yourselves doing cardio every day, it is not really about burning fat while working out, it is about the metabolic and hormonal response / impact of exercise and strength training does just that.
So what I’ve seen from over 30 years of experience and research comparatively is that strength training is far more superior than cardio alone. Your training ideally should always be geared towards increasing beneficial hormonal output which absolutely guarantees building leaner muscles. This type of science is often overlooked by many hence the reason some folks struggle to get that desired six pack. If you honestly want to change your body, you should always keep in mind it is not about how much fat you’ve burnt during the workout, it is about building metabolic boosting muscle. Within the fitness industry there is a common misconception that people who do high intensity training need to be on a chronic low carb diet.
However this practice can lead to that soft flabby appearance you sometimes see with some folks because this diet promotes more muscle loss. So be careful who you take advice from on this topic. Misinformation and myth abound.
Aside from hitting the gym, choosing the right foods would no doubt help you get these abs quicker. Here are some good foods that would help. Fruits and vegetables are very nutrient-dense, meaning they are low in calories but very high in antioxidants, fibre and an assortment of vitamins and minerals. They may aid in weight loss and ramp up your fat burning machine, these are important if you want to build those abs. Not forgetting whole grains which are also a good source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Nuts and seeds provide the perfect balance of fibre, protein and healthy fats, all of which can be incredibly beneficial in helping you along the way to that desired six pack and they may also aid in getting those inches off the waist.
Ideally you want to learn from someone with practical experience. Someone who has a six pack and has helped many achieve one. As my dear friend and mentor would always say, “when someone offers advice, if they cannot explain themselves clearly, leave it alone.”
For more keep reading the Health Plus Magazine in your T&T Guardian.
