What it Takes to Get that Six-Pack

The six-pack is the epitome of a person's dedication physical fitness. Desired by many and yet so few achieve this marvel of peak abdominal conditioning. What does it take to get six-pack abs? More work than you could ever imagine.

Most people believe that a six-pack comes from doing hundreds, maybe thousands, of sit-ups and crunches. While this helps, it is only a small part of what goes into developing abs of steel. To get the abs of a Greek god takes discipline in both the gym and the kitchen.

In the Gym

Exercises that focus on the abdominal muscles tend to build muscle in the area. While sit-ups, crunches, and ab rollouts are important components for getting six-pack abs, they lack one necessary attribute - the ability to burn fat.

Fat gathers in the stomach area and covers the abdominal muscles. In order to remove the fat, look to incorporate more cardiovascular exercises into your workout routine. Look to add 15-30 minutes on a treadmill, exercise bike, or elliptical to your regular regimen and watch the fat around your mid-section melt away.

In the Kitchen

Sticking with the subject of fat, burning off the unwanted mass is only part of the plan. A person looking to get six-pack abs must be mindful of what and when they eat. Attempting to burn off fat is pointless if you continue to eat meals high in calories and fat content.

Add more fruits and vegetables to your diet along with other low fat and low-calorie foods. In addition, eating more frequent, smaller meals throughout the day helps to boost your metabolism, allowing you to burn more calories while you rest. Not only will you be well on your way to seeing those six-pack abs you want, but you will also have more energy and shed pounds.

Meal preparation also helps to achieve your six-pack goal. To battle the desire to grab some fatty foods because of lack of time, prepare your meals for each day at the beginning of the week. Now, if you are running behind, you have a healthy meal ready to grab and go. It keeps your diet intact and saves you money as well.

Having a six-pack is a confidence booster. It is evidence that you work hard in the gym regularly as well as maintain a nutritionally balanced diet. Becoming dedicated in the gym and the kitchen takes work, but the results will amaze you once you have gained these disciplines. Get your workout clothes ready and prepare your shopping list. It is time to get that six-pack.