Before we look at the four steps you can take in order to get six-pack abs, we need to realize that no matter how much training you do, and no matter hard your six-pack is, if it's hidden away behind a layer of belly fat, nobody will be able to see it. Although this may sound a little strange at first, there are in fact 4 ways to get six-pack abs from the kitchen. If you give it a little thought, it really does make sense because as I've already pointed out, unless you shed your belly fat, those abs you just not going to be visible.
No matter what some products claim, the only way you're going to get six-pack abs, is through diet and hard work. Another fact you need to be aware of, is that in order to reach a point where your abs actually become visible, your body fat percentage needs to be very low. In fact, men need to reduce their body fat to 10% or lower while woman on the other hand, need to get theirs below 14%. For most people, reducing body fat to such an extent requires urgent changes to their diets.
So, how is it possible to get six-pack abs straight from the kitchen in 4 easy steps? Let's take a look at calories first. The most effective means of getting rid of fat is by depriving ourselves of calories. Providing your daily calorie intake is less than your body requires in its present state, you'll lose weight. For example, if your aim is to lose one pound of fat each week, then you'll need to ensure you're eating 500 calories less each day than you do presently. This is based on the fact that a pound of fat contains more or less 3500 calories. Also, the more exercise you do, the more energy your body requires and if you're not providing sufficient calories, your body will be forced into burning fat instead, in order to meet the demand for energy.
We know now that getting that calorie count down is the only way you're ever going to see your six-pack so here are four easy steps to follow.
1. Eat less carbohydrates. Your body will use carbs before it turns to fat to be used for fuel. The lower the amount of carbs you have, the quicker your body will turn to fat. The problem with this is that when you are building muscle your body need all the carbs it can get to be used for good energy and by cutting them out you are taking away the best energy supply. This is, however, the best way to get your body to burn fat.
2. Unfortunately for some, a diet most often results in muscle loss in addition to fat loss. This is a natural response of the body when it's denied an adequate supply of fuel, such as cutting the carbs out of your diet. Therefore, it's absolutely essential for you to eat lots of protein in order to substitute the carbs you're not getting. For the purpose of increasing muscle mass, more or less 20 to 30% of your daily diet should be protein. However, if you're cutting out your carbs then you need to increase this so that at least 40% of your diet is protein. One word or caution though, is that you still need to keep an eye on your calorie intake, always keeping in mind that while you're on diet, you need to eat less than what your body actually requires.
3. Most people nowadays are aware of the fact that there are good fats and bad fats. Good fats actually play a part in increasing your metabolic rate which then in turn increases the rate at which your body burns fat. These good fats are not stored for future energy requirements and are essential in a healthy diet. Bad fats on the other hand can be used for energy so the body tends to store them for later use, in form of body fat. Everyone should be cutting out as much bad fat as possible from their diets, but if you're on a diet, then it's essential that you do and also that you increase your intake of good fats.
4. Considering that the human body is approximately 70% water, it makes sense that it requires abundant water in order to operate effectively. Deprive your body of water and you can be rest assured, it will be storing water away when you do give it some. However, if you drink enough water to meet your body's demand, not only will you be helping to clean your system out but you'll not be giving your body any reason to store water. Additionally those on diet can benefit from the fact that drinking plenty of water allows you to feel full. - 15438
No matter what some products claim, the only way you're going to get six-pack abs, is through diet and hard work. Another fact you need to be aware of, is that in order to reach a point where your abs actually become visible, your body fat percentage needs to be very low. In fact, men need to reduce their body fat to 10% or lower while woman on the other hand, need to get theirs below 14%. For most people, reducing body fat to such an extent requires urgent changes to their diets.
So, how is it possible to get six-pack abs straight from the kitchen in 4 easy steps? Let's take a look at calories first. The most effective means of getting rid of fat is by depriving ourselves of calories. Providing your daily calorie intake is less than your body requires in its present state, you'll lose weight. For example, if your aim is to lose one pound of fat each week, then you'll need to ensure you're eating 500 calories less each day than you do presently. This is based on the fact that a pound of fat contains more or less 3500 calories. Also, the more exercise you do, the more energy your body requires and if you're not providing sufficient calories, your body will be forced into burning fat instead, in order to meet the demand for energy.
We know now that getting that calorie count down is the only way you're ever going to see your six-pack so here are four easy steps to follow.
1. Eat less carbohydrates. Your body will use carbs before it turns to fat to be used for fuel. The lower the amount of carbs you have, the quicker your body will turn to fat. The problem with this is that when you are building muscle your body need all the carbs it can get to be used for good energy and by cutting them out you are taking away the best energy supply. This is, however, the best way to get your body to burn fat.
2. Unfortunately for some, a diet most often results in muscle loss in addition to fat loss. This is a natural response of the body when it's denied an adequate supply of fuel, such as cutting the carbs out of your diet. Therefore, it's absolutely essential for you to eat lots of protein in order to substitute the carbs you're not getting. For the purpose of increasing muscle mass, more or less 20 to 30% of your daily diet should be protein. However, if you're cutting out your carbs then you need to increase this so that at least 40% of your diet is protein. One word or caution though, is that you still need to keep an eye on your calorie intake, always keeping in mind that while you're on diet, you need to eat less than what your body actually requires.
3. Most people nowadays are aware of the fact that there are good fats and bad fats. Good fats actually play a part in increasing your metabolic rate which then in turn increases the rate at which your body burns fat. These good fats are not stored for future energy requirements and are essential in a healthy diet. Bad fats on the other hand can be used for energy so the body tends to store them for later use, in form of body fat. Everyone should be cutting out as much bad fat as possible from their diets, but if you're on a diet, then it's essential that you do and also that you increase your intake of good fats.
4. Considering that the human body is approximately 70% water, it makes sense that it requires abundant water in order to operate effectively. Deprive your body of water and you can be rest assured, it will be storing water away when you do give it some. However, if you drink enough water to meet your body's demand, not only will you be helping to clean your system out but you'll not be giving your body any reason to store water. Additionally those on diet can benefit from the fact that drinking plenty of water allows you to feel full. - 15438
About the Author:
Whether you need to gain muscle, lose weight or just get fit, check out Rob's blog at growmymuscles to find some great ideas and follow his progress to weight loss and health.
