Do you want to learn how to get better abs but feel lost in the maze of countless fitness regimens and diet plans?
Trust me, the path to sculpted abs isn’t paved solely with endless crunches. It’s a combination of the right core workouts and a holistic lifestyle that emphasizes clean eating, hydration, and a good night’s sleep.
If you don’t know where to start with it all, stick around! I’m going to go through my step-by-step roadmap on how to build strong abs!
Why Is The Right Ab Workout So Crucial?
The core, primarily your abs, is the epicenter of your body’s strength and stability. Seriously, if you have a weak core, it affects everything else. Pretty crazy, right!?
Targeted ab workout isn’t just for showing off a six-pack; it’s a matter of health, functionality, and well-being. I’ll explain more below!
Core Stability
The ab muscles provide essential support to the spine. So, a strong core helps with good posture. Good posture means less strain on your back and also minimizes the risk of injuries during daily activities or workouts.
Enhanced Athletic Performance
Whether you’re into running, cycling, or team sports, whatever it may be, a strong core improves stability, balance, and power. This, in turn, helps with better performance, increased agility, and less fatigue.
Functional Fitness
A strong core not only protects your back but also allows you to DO MORE! That’s right. Everyday tasks, be it lifting groceries or playing with your kids, become easier with a strong set of abs. It’s not just about looking good; it’s about living better.
So, the next time you’re thinking about skipping that ab workout, remember the benefits waiting on the other side of consistency.
Okay, so now that we’ve gone through some of the benefits and importance of a strong core, let’s get into ways to achieve those killer abs!
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Ten Proven Steps to Achieving Your Ab Goals
Eat Clean & Track Calories
Amp up your diet game by ensuring you’re eating clean. Eat lots of whole foods like veggies and fruit. A good rule of thumb is to make sure the largest portion of any meal is veggies, followed by protein.
Tracking is key! Consider using apps like myfitnesspal. For those who are like me and still love a good pen to paper, grab a notebook and jot down what you eat.
Pre-Meal Hydration
Before diving into your meals, down a sizable glass of water. Aim for at least 16-20oz, 20-30 minutes before each meal.
Don’t Eat Before Bed
Admittedly, going to bed a tad hungry is a challenge. However, since I tried the Ultimate Reset, this became a habit.
Believe it or not, eating before bed can affect digestion and sleep quality, among other things. If you want a full deep dive into this subject, Alexis Supan, RD, gives a great in-depth explanation! You can read the article HERE.
A pro tip? Avoid eating 3 hours before bedtime and brush your teeth right after dinner. It works wonders!
Commit to Cardio
I’m more of a strength training girlie myself, but I do make it a point to get in cardio. Not only is it good for your heart, but it helps you burn calories and fat, which in turn makes those abs pop 😉
Strategic Strength Training
Train hard but smart. Focus on ab exercises every other day and allow a rest day in between to let your muscles rejuvenate. Yes, rest days are EQUALLY as important as your workouts.
Oh, and ladies, remember that strength training WON’T turn you into the Hulk! I promise, lol! Check out programs like ChaLEAN Extreme or LIIFT4 (my two favorites!), and you’ll be witnessing some genuine results!
Ditch the Sugars
If you’re serious about those abs, keep sugar and processed foods at bay. I know this can be a tough one, but sugar can increase body fat and can cause so much inflammation!
Now, I’m not saying you have to go cold turkey because we’re all human, but if you have goals, try to limit your intake.
Eat Right
We touched on it a little above, but make sure you incorporate whole grains, lean proteins, and a colorful variety of fruits and veggies in your meals. And remember, every meal doesn’t necessarily need meat to be protein-rich.
I’ve personally incorporated Shakeology for one of my meals – it’s vegan, natural, and packed with 15g of protein.
Eat ENOUGH Calories
I see so many people make the mistake of not getting enough calories in, and it kills me.
Undereating can be as harmful as overeating. So, make sure you’re consuming the right amount. Not sure about your numbers? Consider doing a program like Portion Fix. This nutritional program will calculate how many calories you should be getting based on specific criteria for you.
You can also try out www.freedieting.com to gauge your caloric needs, but honestly, Portion Fix is a full program and totally worth it.
Get a Good Night Sleep
Never underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep. Strive for 7-8 hours daily to let your body and muscles recover. I know we don’t typically think of sleep as a way to help our abs pop, but you would be surprised at how much a good night of rest helps our body.
Detox the Right Way
Lastly, hydrate with distilled water and a hint of Himalayan salt for a natural detox.
Oh, and if you’re really serious about your ab goals, I strongly recommend looking into the Ultimate Reset. My experience with the 21-day Ultimate Reset was literally transformational. Eating clean and giving your body a detox can sometimes be a game-changer.
The key takeaway? Achieving killer abs is as much about what’s on your plate as it is about your ab workout. It’s not just about weight loss but understanding the profound impact of what we feed our bodies.
Before we wrap up, I also wanted to give you some exercise tips to help get your abs popping 🙂
AB WORKOUT OPTIONS
Obviously, you’re not going to build muscle without exercise. I personally switch up my core workout almost daily with my streaming fitness platform. If you aren’t already using BODi, it’s a must! You can find thousands of workouts ranging from 5 minutes to an hour! So, if you’re in a pinch for time, you can do a quick 5er and still get some sort of ab workout in for the day!
Here are two other really simple moves to incorporate some core exercise daily.
If you want, you can apply for my Virtual Gym HERE!
Leg Raises
Lying down with your hands under your hips, raise your legs straight up and then lower them without touching the ground. This exercise not only targets your abs but also works wonders for the lower back. Aim for 3 sets of 10 repetitions.
Russian Twists
Sit down with your legs in front and lean back a little. With your hands together, twist your torso and try to touch the ground next to your hips. This exercise targets the oblique muscles, giving you a well-rounded ab muscle workout. Target for 3 sets of 20 twists.
Tips For Better Abs: Conclusion
While the right ab exercises form the foundation of your ab goals, remember the adage – abs are made in the kitchen.
Pair your ab workout with the right lifestyle choices, and you’re on your way to flaunting those killer abs in no time!
Now, with these tips in your arsenal, get ready to rock those abs! And for more tips, inspiration, and motivation, don’t forget to connect with me on socials and sign up for my newsletter!
