I remember when I first began lifting weights. It was during my senior year of high school and I had begun a weight training class. One day I came to the two coaches that were teaching my class and asked them why I couldn't achieve definition in my abs. I had a flat stomach, yes, but I wanted the six-pack.
As I look back on it, it is odd to me that they didn't know what to tell me, other than those things I was already doing. We were doing tons of great abdominal exercises in class. If that wasn't creating the abs I wanted then they didn't know what the problem was.
Many personal trainers are the type that these coaches were. They can teach you how to work out, but they can't teach you about the component that, in my opinion, goes hand in hand with weight training....proper nutrition. Both are extremely important in creating or maintaining the body you want.
Since those weight training days I have learned that when trying to gain muscle and/or definition in a particular area we need to make sure that our diet is feeding and fueling our muscles and bodies so that it can grow and develop, which is ultimately what is happening when you form six-pack abs.
Read some of my past blog posts and you will know exactly what you need to do if this is your goal. Eat regular meals throughout the day. No skipping a meal or two to thin your middle!
Get plenty of protein. Protein is fuel for growing muscles!
Also, get healthy portions of complex carbohydrates, such as vegetables, couscous, and brown rice.
When we were young if we had denied ourselves of proper nutrition we would have stopped growing and thriving. It is the same for muscles if we are trying to build definition in them. Deprive them and they will not grow and thrive!
If you are eating well and working your abs a few times a week or every other day and are still not seeing the results you want, try changing up your ab routine or adding weight to your crunches.
Good luck!
Amanda
No comments:
Post a Comment