Your First Steps Toward Washboard Abs

If you’ve never participated in a regular abdominal workout plan, the idea of losing your “spare tire” and achieving the sculpted abdominals we all see on swimsuit models and fitness gurus can seem like an impossible dream. Yes, it takes a lot of hard work and sacrifice to achieve the much-coveted six-pack midsection, but the truth is that with the right combination of motivation, discipline, and desire, it can be done. There are no easy shortcuts and no magic formulas, but the key is to approach the process slowly and methodically, one step at a time.

So, where to begin?

A good first step is to take a long, hard look at your current eating habits, and then formulate goals for making necessary changes. Record everything you eat and drink for a week, then evaluate what’s on the list. Are there more fatty, fried foods than lean, healthy ones? Do you see a large amount of empty-calorie foods, such as sweets, sodas, and fast foods? If so, you probably need to design a sensible, low-fat, reduced-calorie diet. Not only do fatty, unhealthy diets have a negative impact on your overall health and well-being, they also contribute to belly bloat and increase your body fat, which makes it virtually impossible to bring your stomach muscles to the forefront. No matter how developed your abs are, if that layer of fat is hanging around your midsection, they’ll never see the light of day.

Next, evaluate your current physical activity. Are you more or less sedentary, with no regular exercise regimen? If so, set a realistic goal for beginning a moderate cardio routine. You may want to start with brisk walking, and then gradually build up to a slow jog. If you belong to a gym, take advantage of beginner’s spinning programs or stepping machines, or join a novice aerobics class. Anything you can do to increase your physical activity levels will help to burn more fat calories, which in turn helps to boost belly fat.

The next step toward achieving healthy abdominals is choosing a targeted exercise program to work your stomach muscles. When choosing a workout plan, be realistic. Select exercises that are tailored for beginners, and gradually work your way up to the more challenging ones. Also, go with a routine that meshes well with your lifestyle. For instance, if you don’t belong to a gym and don’t own any workout equipment, you won’t be able to commit to abdominal exercises that require incline benches or other specialized gear. There are plenty of effective training applications that can be performed at home with nothing more than a floor mat and, optionally, an exercise ball.

Finally, to achieve the results you want, the fourth step is sticking to it. To achieve rock-hard abs -- or even moderately toned abs -- consistency is key. If you commit to 5 minutes every other day, be sure to put in that time, no matter how busy, unmotivated, or sore you might feel. You won’t see changes overnight, but if you layer all of these strategies together and exercise discipline, you will begin to notice a tighter, trimmer tummy in a matter of weeks.

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