6 Pack Abs – The One Secret

Just about everywhere you look, someone is dying to sell you the next underground secret to getting your very own 6pack of abdominals. Most of the methods have a degree of truth, and others, not that much if you get my meaning.

Decoding which are the top techniques to building abs of steel is critical to your success with this noble goal. The major action item you’ll want to target is going to be your diet. Like it or not, diet determines over 80% of how you look in beachwear or naked. If your diet isn’t in shape, your abs will show it. Or not lol.

Let’s make this perfectly clear once and for all time, Ab work will NOT cause your abs to show more or less than they do now. You have to “unveil” them with lower bodyfat. You can build some hellacious, reptilian abs by using various techniques we deal with in another article, but in order to SEE them the fat has to go. What kind of diet do you need to show off your abs?

First off be sure you’re eating sufficient protein. Not only is protein going to form the key building blocks you need to build and repair muscle tissue, but it’s will also keep you more full than carbohydrates alone. You may have figured out by now that protein is the most taxing of the macronutrients, the body will burn more calories breaking down protein for use than fats or carbs.

Second, don’t be scared of fats that come from monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats such as fish oils and olive oils, nuts etc. Although it’s true that consuming fat will multiply your daily calories quickly, as long as you keep it at or under 20-30% it can be advantageous. The main point here is that dietary fat helps you to keep your insulin level constant. Insulin of course, if high enough, will cause fat gain itself.

In addition, dietary fats keep you feeling full for the longest period of time; longer than both protein or carbohydrates. Some people advocate that diets high in fat can show your 6 pack abs quicker because your body will learn to metabolize fat for it’s energy instead of just sugars. You’ll be OK if you simply make sure you are getting some good (monounsaturated) fats in your diet.

A quick note here: Spanish researchers published a study in 2007 that stated that a diet rich in monounsaturated fats will keep the stomach from bloating.

Third, when it comes to carbohydrate consumption and 6 pack abs, you need to target the majority of your carbohydrate intake close to your post workout period.

Why you say?

This is the time the body is going to require those carbs the most, and your muscles will literally suck them in to replace the sugars it just used. This is the time they are least likely to turn into bodyfat. Ingesting carbs during the post workout period obviously helps aid with muscle recovery and repair, and that means quicker recovery so you can do it again in a few days.

If getting 6 pack abs quickly is important enough to you to suffer, at least 2 of your daily 5-6 meals should contain of 1-2 cups of raw vegetables. This will help control insulin levels, improve assimilation of your protein and flood your body with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber.

That’s it, remember that diet is fully 80% or more of how you look and feel. Concentrate on your diet to thin your skin and show your abs in the best light. You can build a great set of abs but if the layer of fat over them is 2 inches thick they’ll never show.