Getting rock hard abs is achieved by using several different methods that simply cannot be overlooked. Strict form is the most important, in my personal opinion, because I see improper form throughout each day; especially when crunches are performed. When your form begins to deteriorate, your neck and back suffer, making your chiropractor a very busy person indeed!
Being mindful of both your cardiovascular exercise and your nutrition (notice how I avoid the word "diet" because diet's today are created to make you fail) are also important since this is where the other half of the battle lies.
Any type of cardio (also known as aerobic, for all of you fitness gurus) exercise is extremely important in keeping your heart and lungs in good working order, and also in helping you to lose weight.
It is impossible to do sit-ups all day and expect to look any better in your mid-section in a week or two. If you try this approach don't expect to see those abs come through. Yes, the muscles are now toned but how is anyone going to see them with that layer of fat that is still resting nicely on top?
There are certain research groups that are now calling for cardiovascular activity to be performed for 60-90 minutes per day in order to lose weight and get rid of that fat! That's quite a bit. But because of our culture that consists of our eating patterns, and our semi-consistent exercise regiment, this really doesn't come as much of a surprise.
Yes, I know that this may seem like a lot of time, but ask yourself this question. "How badly do I really want to lose this weight?" For some, one look in the mirror will give you all the motivation you need. For others, it could be a specific goal, such as fitting into a bathing suit come summer vacation, or allowing that beautiful dress to once again grace your hips and waist. Or it could be a more serious situation where medical reasons warrant the weight reduction.
Whatever it may be, you need a goal. Once you have that goal, make sure you don't stay on a piece of cardio equipment for the full time. Spice things up a bit and get on different things. If you don't have access to these it's no problem! There is a great big world out there. You can go walking, running, snorkeling, biking, hiking, rowing, and anything else that will give you some fun.
For those abs to be complete, we must also have great (not good, or sometimes, or when I feel like it) eating habits. How to lose weight and get those great abdominal muscles is actually much less complicated then you might think.
Based on your current eating now, you might be able to shave off a few hundred calories just be making some simple changes. And to make it even better for you, I will only touch upon liquids for this article. Calories from liquids add up rather fast, and if not checked, can put a monkey-wrench in your weight loss plan.
I bet my bottom dollar that if you really look at things, and are accountable for all that you drink, there are a few hundred calories that you could do without. For optimal health, is that extra soda or creamy cappuccino really worth it?
Once you've made the decision here to cut out certain beverages, keep in mind that you just cut out a bunch of calories and you didn't even set foot in a gym...yet! How wonderful! You are already three steps ahead of about 90% of the current population that doesn't know this information.
Using this three-pronged approach of proper form in your resistance abdominal training, aerobic activity, and nutrition, is like creating a blue-print for building a temple. But in our case, that temple that I talk about is your body. By adhering to proper form, your are assuring yourself of completing the abdominal movement with little risk of injury. The cardio and diet of course are there to rid your body of any excess fat and to let those abs really be your pride and glory.
Liked the part about avoiding the word "diet". Also, good point about needing more than sit ups for your abs.
Posted by: Paul Landis | January 27, 2007 at 12:18 AM