Little Things Preventing You from Getting Six Pack Abs

Little Things Preventing You from Getting Six Pack Abs

So, you want to have six pack abs because these look good and feel good, not to mention that you have lesser risks for chronic degenerative diseases like diabetes as well as heart attacks and strokes. This is because people with wider girths – 40 inches for men and 35 inches for women – have more visceral fat than those with trim waistlines.

So, aside from a good workout plan, you also follow a strict six pack abs diet. Yet, despite all your best efforts, you still have trouble getting the flat, toned and muscled abs you want. Well, you may be doing these seemingly little things that have a big impact on your goal.

Drinking Liquid Calories

Many individuals think of calories as coming exclusively from solid food but this is a misconception. Except for water, most beverages contain calories that add up to your gut and, hence, prevent your six pack abs from showing up, in a manner of speaking. We are talking about beer and other alcoholic beverages as well as carbonated drinks, coffee and even powdered juices.

Don’t even think about justifying your consumption of light beer – it is still beer, no matter what the label says. If you add the food that comes with drinking beer like peanuts, chips and dips, then you are already going outside the calorie restrictions of your six pack abs diet.

Cutting Out Carbs

Too many individuals think that carbs are the enemy of toned abdominal muscles but this is not so either. Carbohydrates are essential for the production of energy and you need energy to perform the exercises vital in the development of six pack abs.

Well, of course, not all carbohydrates are good – opt for complex carbohydrates found in fruits, vegetables and whole grains instead of simple carbohydrates in cakes, cookies and breads. Complex carbohydrates prevent hunger pangs for longer periods while simple carbohydrates tend to increase your cravings.

Instead, cut out the fats especially the saturated fats from animal sources like beef, pork and poultry – except for the lean parts, obviously. Coconut oil, butter and palm oil are also out the question.

Getting the Sides

Yet another of the seemingly little things that prevent your attainment of six pack abs is indulging on the side dishes. The scenario is all-too-familiar: You order the healthy option of grilled chicken sandwich on whole wheat bread and topped by lettuce, cucumber and tomatoes. Then, in a moment of weakness, you order diet soda and French fries. Again, the pounds pile up on you belly and not in the form of muscles either.

It is not just your food consumption that keeps the muscles away from your abdominal area. You may also be burning the candle at both ends, which results in excessive physical and mental stress. Let’s not forget that stress affects your six pack abs too, so always try to get 6-8 hours of sleep every night.

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