Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Six Pack Ab Models - How Do They Do It?

By Gerard Lanzona

We've seen them gracing the covers of countless fitness and lifestyle mags. They're also on the daytime infomercials oh so familiar with couch potatoes everywhere. Some have even made it to the silver screen, playing unstoppable Greek warriors fighting ancient Persian armies against all odds. I'm talking about those super-fit models with lean, shredded abs- the lucky few envied by scores of frustrated gym goers and wannabe Spartans everywhere.

Getting Achilles-style abs or a tummy like Tyson Beckford's and 50 cent's has long been a fantasy for many- an unreachable dream that a lot of frustrated gym goers have given-up on. Most people pass it off to good genes or a grueling workout regimen. Fact is, anybody can get ripped abs. It just takes a basic knowledge of physiology, a proper exercise regimen and eating smart. Equal parts of these three comprise the recipe for ripped abs.

Anybody with basic knowledge of the human body's metabolic processes and the right exercise techniques can get washboard abs that rivals those of fitness ad models'. Knowing which food and exercises are the most effective in losing belly fat will enable just about anyone to get a shredded gut. In light of this, secrets of six pack ab models will not be so secret anymore.

Experts have determined that exercises that keeps the heart pumping for extended periods at medium intensity are optimal for burning body fat. At 60-70% of your MHR (maximum heart rate), the body expends the most calories from stored fat rather than carbohydrates and glycogen. The latter is needed for muscle-development and no one wants to lose-out on building muscle.

Building muscle also increases a person's metabolism, meaning more calories burned even while inactive. The more muscles we pack on, the less calories we have to burn through exercise. Having a body like King Diomedes then, will let us expend calories even while off in dreamland fighting epic battles.

The third ingredient six pack ab models have in their recipe for a cut rectus abdominus is a relatively low-fat diet and healthy eating habits. Lots of fruits (citrus ones actually render body fat easier to burn) and keeping our body form starving does wonders in controlling belly fat.

It might make sense to skip meals when trying to do away with belly fat. In reality, foregoing meals (especially breakfast) will be detrimental to your goal. Believe it or not, or body slows down metabolism when we go hungry and this means less percentage of calories from body fat expended.

It's ultimately better to eat 3 times a day with snacks in between to prevent ourselves from feeling deprived and simply pigging-out on the next meal. Overeating expands our stomach muscles to accommodate all the food we eat and this leads to a pot belly after a while. - 16003

About the Author: