A lot of people think that there is one clear cut way to get abs that trumps all others and applies to everyone. The truth is, there is no single best way to get six pack abs and everyone who has obtained them has done so in their own unique way. There are however, some common myths out there that will slow down your progress of obtaining those abs that you need to be aware to avoid at all costs on your quest to obtain that ripped six pack.
Myth 1: If I Do A Lot of Crunches Then I’ll Get a Six Pack
I want to debunk the biggest myth of them all when it comes to getting abs right off the bat. This is the most popular assumption I’ve seen made out there by many inexperienced people. They apply what is considered common logic by thinking if you’re working out on solely your core then all of your efforts will show there. Unfortunately that’s not true and in fact by solely doing crunches you can in fact make yourself look fat.
The reason behind this is because when you’re working out and doing ab exercises such as crunches, you burn very little calories and strengthen your core. This results in your ab muscles bulking up while keeping the layer of fat between you and your abs the same which makes your stomach area more pronounced.
Don’t discount ab exercises for this reason however as working out your core can become very beneficial and make your abs much more defined once you get rid of that layer of belly fat. Just keep in the back of your mind that ab exercises are not an effective way to burn off stomach fat.
Myth 2: I Need to Do Lots of Cardio to Get Abs
When people find out about Myth #1 they tend to gravitate towards Myth #2. People assume that doing a lot of cardio is the only surefire way to get abs when in fact it isn’t.
Cardio does burn a lot of calories and increase your metabolic rate and some of those calories will be in your stomach area, however it’s only one piece of the puzzle and an optional one at that. In fact, you can get a nice six pack without ever doing cardio. Incorporating the proper diet for fat loss and a good balanced weight lifting routine will prove to bring much better results than cardio alone. In this case, think of cardio to go the extra mile in obtaining your six pack abs quicker.
Myth 3: I Need to Stay on a Strict Low-Carb Diet to Get Abs
Many people feel that you need to stay on a strict low-carb diet in order to ever have a shot at seeing your abs. While a low-carb diet can satisfy the diet requirements to get abs, not everyone is built to go on a low-carb diet. One of the many benefits of going on a low-carb diet is it is supposed to help in curbing your appetite and reduce water retention. If you find yourself feeling horrible on a low-carb diet then don’t fight it as the benefits aren’t seen by everyone. Instead, you might be better off with a more balanced diet approach instead.
Myth 4: Once I Get My Six Pack, My Work is Done
Okay, so when you get your abs to show and are satisfied with the definition they have you can’t throw in the towel on all of your hard work. While the hardest battle is most certainly getting abs in the first place, you can just as easily lose them if you’re not careful. You don’t have to be on as strict of a diet and exercise routine to maintain your abs, but you do need to know your limits otherwise you’ll lose the ability to see your abs before you know it. You also cannot expect to go back to your old eating habits and expect to keep your ab definition.
Myth 5: Supplements Will Make Up for my Shortfalls
While supplements can and will assist in providing quicker results, they should never be expected to make up for shortfalls. Nothing can replace the rigorous diet and exercise needed to get abs. If you use supplements you should take them with the intention of having them as aids to your fitness goals and not for making miracles happen. Set realistic expectations for supplements, even if the marketing hype tells you otherwise. It’s like the saying, “If it’s too good to be true, then it probably is.”
Starting Your Journey
When starting to act on your goal to obtain abs it is important to have these myths in the back of your mind to avoid any unnecessary shortfalls along the way. Knowing what not to do is half the battle.
Have you ever fallen victim into believing these myths before? If so, what did you do to get out of them?