‘Work it’ – How to get rockin’ abs!
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One of my favorite exercise days is when the Mister and I focus on abs. I LOVE them! Does that sound insane? It’s funny, because I normally think people who say they like a particular exercise are lying. Well, maybe that’s a little harsh. But I do think they are at the very least TRICKING themselves into thinking they like it. Because who likes exercise? You like how it makes you feel, you like the results it provides, you like how it adds to you health and well-being bottom line. But if you could get the exact same results by going shopping or relaxing in the sun or eating a 5-course meal, how many of you would still choose to run in a sweaty gym? OK, maybe a few of you hard-core folks out there! Kudos to you, I’d be ‘poolsiding’ it, sipping an iced tea, ordering the pool boy to fetch me some chocolate chip cookies (note – I don’t have a pool), while reading a book.
But with ab exercises…I seriously love them.
I’ve been asked what ab exercises I prefer and which ones I choose to utilize in my own workouts. Quite frankly, as long as you are working out your abdominal muscles correctly (which many people are not!), you are on the right track. For the most part, each exercise should yield fairly similar results. There are a few however, that stand out in my mind as the best. These have also been noted in various studies as being some of the most effective.
The exercises I never leave out of my work out (sorry about the cheesy websites, but I wanted to make sure I provided diagrams and how-tos):
Plank (use superman or leg lift version for a more advanced workout)
I normally do at least 30 reps of each exercise (In addition to the standard ab exercises that i haven’t features) 2 days a week.
Results (Mainly, I just wanted to add a photo so this wasn’t an all-text post 
):
Of course that's me, what do you mean you don't believe me?! (image courtesy of www.tightabsfast.com)
The important thing to keep in mind is that no matter how long you are working on your abdominals — even if you ‘crunch’ forever, you won’t see results if you don’t practice healthy eating and cardio vascular exercise. While strong abs are important, you won’t see them under a layer of fat! If you are wondering why you aren’t seeing results, you may want to re-evaluate your cardio-excercise program, as well as your diet.
We all know about the confusion and controversy surrounding the good carbs vs. bad carbs. I am not a low-carb follower. I love my bread WAY too much! In addition, I DO NOT think extremely low carb diets are healthy (read this fantastic article). In fact, I don’t think focusing on one food group or ingredient is healthy (i.e. sugar busters, low carb, no meat, etc.). Fad-diets do not work. Bottom line. Take a look at this article. This chick knows her stuff!
However, I do think that the main reason so many people struggle to lose weight is because of what has become known as the “American Diet” (over consumption or processed carbs such as white bread, sugary cereal, pasta, soft drinks, candy bars and other processed foods.) If you are eating these foods more than sparingly, you will struggle with losing weight. I promise.
Try making the following adjustments:
Try and eat clean, whenever possible.
What is your favorite ab exercise?
14 Responses to “‘Work it’ – How to get rockin’ abs!”
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