I dropped the ball on this, I was having ankle issues and this that and the other – but now I’m back, and I want to nail this one fast! My game plan is this: exercise enough every day to be sore the next day – and throw a little ab work in, too. Simple. Yesterday I ran an hour and rode my mountain bike for three, and I ran for an hour again today. I can feel it. Oh, I’m also trying to eat healthy. I had colossal salads for lunch both today and yesterday, I’ve decided to nix the evening beer, and I’m not eating anything resembling dessert unless I’ve done over an hour of cardio that day. My boyfriend is out of town for a few weeks, I want to be able to mark this as ‘done’ by the time he gets back. Wish me luck!
How to have nice abs
How I did it: First thing I changed was my eating habbit. I actually upped my calorie intake to aroudn 4200 to 5000 calories a day, depending on whether I worked out or not. The calories were spread over about 5 to 6 meals.
I ate every three hours to keep my insulin levels stable. My protein and carbs were equal. My menu was pretty diverse; I changed what I ate for each meal pretty much everyday. However, all the fruit and vegetables I ate were in season, and I bought lean meats for the most part. I also went with whole grain bread, instead of white.
For work outs, I actually didn't do a whole lot of ab specific work outs. I did only 35 or so of my own modified sit ups for a warm up. The biggest help were high intensity exercises that focused on the core. So deadlifts, sumo deadlift high pulls, power cleans, hang power cleans, shoulder presses, push presses, push jerks, snatches, thrusters, front squats, back squats, overhead squats, and many more other exercises.
Warm ups usually included 30-45:
- modified sit ups
- push ups
- pull ups
- air squats
- samson stretches
- back extensions
Basically you want high intensity work outs (as heavy as you can, in as many reps as you can, in the shortest amount of time as you can). Don't be afraid of weights. You want to lower your body fat percentage to about 10 per cent. How low you need will depend on you. My body fat percentage stays at about 7 per cent.
Lessons & tips: Don't focus on abs. In fact try to stay away from exercises that focuses on one muscle. Do compound exercises that require groups of muscles. So instead of abs, focus on the core.
Do high intensity exercises. So you will use heavy weights. I stress: as heavy as you can with as many reps as you can in the shortest amount of time as you can.
You don't need to spend more than an hour at the gym. Actually, until recently I only spent half an hour in the gym. Now I spend an hour, but never longer than that.
Change up your work out. I won't repeat the same work out until 3 or 4 months later.
Eat healthy wholesome foods with a lot of carbs and proteins, but little fat.
Don't be afraid of eating an egg or two (with the yolk) everyday.
Resources: http://www.azcentral.com/style/hfe/food/articles/2008/07/08/20080708inseason_cal-CR.html
http://www.fitsugar.com/766272
People doing this are also doing these things:
Entries
I want to work out every day in the summer, and when i come back to school, i want to have nice abs!
i was very athletic as a teen, very tiny, ballerina, cheerleader. But now i’m 33 5’2 and 120 lbs.
I can get this undercontrol quickly but dont’ know how or where to start. It is important to me because i want to be in top shape again so i can get pregnant. I want to be able to bounce back quickly after having children and i don’t want to cross the line of no return!
rybuster Ostrich? And why not?!
I’ve always wanted to have a flat stomach or at least have abs to show off :). It’s not only about losing weight but more about dedication and perseverance and I was never good at these when it came to my body. However, now I am quite motivated so I think I’ll give it another shot :).
mywishfulfillment is trying to study.
I go to a huge university and I never utilize any of the gyms that the school provides. I always tell myself I’m going to and I never do. I think it would really help me fight my occasional depression, too.
Another thing is that I just got my belly button pierced and bathing suit season is coming up… which is even more reason to better my body and have nice abs.
I wannnnna have a hot body.
On abs: “no matter how much work you do you will need to reduce your body fat below 8% in men and below 12% in women to really see them stand out. This of course varies, but it’s a good guide line.”
Geez! According to a Wii Fit I played on for a little bit a few months ago, my BMI is 19ish percent – which I thought was low – but apparently I need to knock it down by almost HALF to see my abs!!!!! That is not what I was expecting! Ah well, I’m still totally on it. I will conquer this goal before summer!
I find abs incredibly sexy and so I’m working out now to have a fab bod by summer.
Really, the first thing I need to do is lose a few pounds of fat – I’m not overweight by any means, but I still have a layer hiding any abs I do have.
What I’m doing now: with a gimpy ankle, I’m currently biking (just started again, yay!) and swimming a few times a week, and doing a slow walk with my dog daily.
I’m also doing at least 50 sit ups daily – this morning I did 85, plan on doing more this evening. I have an exercise ball that I’m trying to work with too, but I don’t really know what I’m doing, haha.
Anyhow, I’m hoping that once I start running again I’ll work off the rest of my belly fat and reveal abs made tremendous by all my sit ups!
graziella*marie can't
just started a new ab workout it’s incredibleeee :)
by bikini season i’m going to be comfortable with my body… maybe.
→ See all 112 entries
Ask for advice: Get help from people who've accomplished this goal
|
La Paz
|
juan123 asks,
“I need help!! This is my weak point...I know doing sit ups wont do it....I'm doing a good diet too, but what else can I do? I really want this bad!”
— 2 years ago |
|
|
|
babyconejita16 asks,
“what should i eat to help my progress?”
— 3 years ago |
|
|
|
babyconejita16 asks,
“what should i eat to help my progress?”
— 3 years ago |
|

