Steps to Take Towards Getting that Six Pack

If you want a six pack (or just some seriously toned abs) there are a variety of steps to get there that include making changes to both your fitness routine and your diet. Here are some steps to take towards getting that six pack.

Choose Protein For Breakfast

If you’re in the habit of choosing a carb heavy breakfast that doesn’t include a lot of protein, now would be a good time to change. Protein will help you fuller longer and some studies have shown that eating protein in the morning can help you avoid cravings for sweets that many of us have later in the day. It’s fine to eat some carbs, but try to get 20 to 30 grams of protein in the morning to really get you going.

Eating too much protein can backfire however, since eating it in excess is just eating extra calories that you don’t need. Sticking with the 20 to 30 grams at a meal is a good way to avoid going over.

Switch Up Your Workouts

Each workout day should not be the same, there are ways to approach your workouts than can have bigger benefits for the body. The day after a rest day is the best day to do a lot of work on your abs, and then while they are repairing you should back off a bit.

Don’t Skip the Cardio

You can do all the ab toning exercises that you want but if you don’t lose the fat that’s on top of them than you won’t get to see the progress. Make sure you’re getting plenty of time on the treadmill (or road, or bike, etc), to ensure that you are burning enough calories to shed the fat on your body that is covering up your abs.

Don’t Wait Until the End of the Workout to Do Abs

A lot of people do their ab workout at the end of the their workout day, but you might be cutting yourself a bit short by not switching things up. If you are always saving it for the end you might be tired already and not be able to give them as much effort as they deserve. Instead try to incorporate more moves in the rest of your workout that also happen to work the core and switch up when you do ab specific exercises.

Don’t Ignore the Other Ab Muscle Groups

If you focus too much on the area where you usually see a six pack then you might be ignoring the other areas of the abs that also require focus. The different areas of the abs include the rectus abdominis, the transverse obliques, the internal obliques, and the external obliques, and all areas need to worked out to create a good looking six pack.