Oh how I LOVE the ‘How do you get those Abs?’ question….

Here’s some Q&A from a fan…

Q:    “I have lost 18 pounds by just reading, learning, and eating cleaner.  Everything else on my body is tighter, but still NO Abs!  Where is my 6-Pack?  What am I doing wrong?”

A:  Visible abs are the result of proper abdominal stimulation, a low body fat % (aim for 15% or just below), and most importantly, an amazingly clean diet.  Those tight, waist-hugging obliques that you see on fitness stars—they were made IN the Kitchen! 

Also don’t forget to stretch your hip flexors because if they are tight, they will pull your lower tummy forward, creating not only a tummy pooch, but also a slight swayback. 

Abs will only come as the result of 3 major components. 

    1.  A Clean Diet–Aim for Non Processed, fatty, sodium packed or sugar laden foods.  No Alcohol, juice, smoothies, or yogurts either.  Focus on Lean protein, fiber, veggies, and LOTS of water.  The slightest bit of dehydration will make you hold water.  Also try avoiding foods that bloat like beans, broccoli, and chewing gum which trap air in your belly.  Foods such as raw cabbage, cooked asparagus, and grapefruit act as natural diuretics.  This is a huge part of a flat stomach lover’s diet. 

     2.  Solid Abs Workouts.  Functional abs exercises that are ‘core-demanding’ are what you want to shoot for.  You have 4 parts that make up your abdominals; your rectus abdominals, transverse abdominals, and your internal and external oblique’s are meant to work together.  Some of my favorites are bicycles, plank holds, hanging controlled leg lifts, Figure Four Reverse Curls.

 3.  Cardio.  Cardio is key because it helps with 2 of the culprits hiding our 6-pack:  Fat and Water Retention.  Both have to go if you want abs that show.  A great way to combine cardio with your abs program is to find something that is fat blasting and calorie killing, but that also forces you to stabilize your midsection.  So I’m not talking about cardio that you do on an Elliptical, or Stairmaster.  Think things like Sprints (no more than 30 sec), Lifting heavy weights Fast, Jumping Rope, and Burpees.

Remember, you can have a strong core if your workouts are on point, but if you’re still noshing on processed foods, you won’t see the fruits of your labor.  Likewise, if your diet is cleaned up, but you don’t have the muscle underneath, you will never get those abs to pop.