Summertime Six Pack Abs
How to Create and Maintain Awesome Abs during the Summer Months
Jun 12, 2009
Summertime has a way of creeping up behind and then racing past the cool weeks of spring, while exposing the many physiques that were previously hidden under comfortable layers of clothing. Beginning a physical transformation and then attempting to maintain such a transformation, all during the lazy, sometimes crazy days of summer, can be somewhat of a daunting challenge. The key is the execution of a very simple plan.
Optimal Eating for Six Pack Abs
The role nutrition plays in reducing the waistline, while fueling the human engine and feeding the muscles cannot be overstated. Summertime overeating can be very tempting. In order to regulate the calories consumed during a normal day, it is wise to eat many small meals throughout the day. Early meals should consist of whole grains and fresh fruits. In fact, the more fruit eaten during the first half of the day the better. This will provide the body with enough vitamins and minerals to ensure great bursts of energy, while firing up a sluggish metabolism. Meals consumed during the second half of the day should always include steamed vegetables, as well as lean proteins, such as fish, chicken, egg whites and whey protein shakes.
When it comes to shedding that extra few pounds, cutting out nighttime snacking may be the most important element of a successful eating plan. The three or four hours before falling asleep at night is the most critical time period of the entire day in regard to consuming food, especially carbohydrates. The only meal recommended in this time period is an all natural whey protein shake.
Cardiovascular Exercise Produces Awesome Abs
Everyone is aware by now that cardio burns fat and calories, while strengthening the heart. Performing cardiovascular exercise on a daily basis creates consistent and healthy weight management, however the timing of such exercise is even more important. It has been reported in publications such as Men's Fitness, Muscle & Fitness and Prevention magazine, that performing cardio first thing in the morning, before breakfast, burns up to 30% more calories than at any other time during the day. Execution of this concept may be difficult to achieve, however the rewards are well worth the demands.
It is also critical to perform cardio sessions with great intensity. The importance of the length of a session pales in comparison to how intensely the body is worked throughout that session. Outdoor summertime running, biking and hiking sessions are automatically more intense due to the warm and humid weather conditions.
Resistance Exercise Sculpts the Abdominals
Resistance training or weight lifting strengthens, builds, sculpts and shapes all the muscles of the human body, including the abdominals. A consistent resistance training program utilizing a wide variety of basic movements including crunches, squats, leg raises, pull ups, presses and curls, strengthens the entire body. Yoga and pilates movements combined with weight lifting takes the intensity to another level, forcing the abdominals to work even harder. During the summer months outdoor yoga and pilates sessions really challenge the core muscles, while taking the abs to new heights.
Although the summer may not be an ideal time to begin a physical transformation, such an achievement is entirely possible with the execution of a simple plan. Use the outdoors whenever possible while working out. View nutrition as nurturing the body with the season's finest and freshest fruits and vegetables. Always look to raise the intensity during this summer, not only will it allow you to burn fat and sculpt great abs, you will also enjoy the process.
