About Those Abs...

So many, many women ask me how to get great abs (or a toned core or a flat stomach or however you want to look at it). Most of those same women believe that if they do a million crunches every single day then the most logical outcome will be killer abdominals. However, that's not exactly the case. It's actually probably easier to do that and hope for the best than to do what I'm about to tell you. I know, I know. I wish it could all be easy.

Here's the thing. If you want a great stomach you must eat clean. Super clean. If you can pinch an inch or two you're not going to be able to see whatever abs may be under there. So even before you begin your rounds of crunches you need to start eating healthy items in healthy portions. If you haven't shed the fat that is around your waist then all those crunches (which will build muscle under there, yes) will possibly make your waist look bigger before it looks more toned. Crunches will not decrease the amount of fat around your stomach. So the muscle that is built underneath that fat layer will simply nudge it outwards somewhat.

That does not mean that you should swear off crunches. No! Crunches are amazing, but you must couple abdominal exercises with clean eating (And by that I mean several small meals a day which include brown rice, sweet potatoes, whole wheat pasta, lots of vegetables, fruits, nuts, and lean meats. Cut way back on sweets, junk, fast food, and soda.) and cardio. Cardiovascular exercise will help your body to burn off the fat that is unnecessarily hanging around on your midsection.

When women overeat or eat more calories than they burn the extra calories tend to turn into fat around our stomach and thighs. This is the area where our reproductive organs are kept and so our body naturally wants to cushion them for extra protection. So know that you're not alone and that it is natural. But that doesn't mean that you can't control how your body looks and feels.

I hope this clears up some questions you may have had about how to get a great stomach. It is bathing suit season, after all, so I know that many of you are wondering how you can improve the way your body looks this year. Ultimately, you have control of your body. No other person and no excuse does. So take control and remember, the key to great abs is:
First, super clean eating.
Second, cardio (some moderate, some intense...keep changing it up so your body is challenged).
And third, abdominal exercises.

Good luck! Let me know how it's going and feel free to ask questions!

Amanda