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Getting Flat Abs Without Breaking a Sweat (and other fitness myths) |
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Getting Flat Abs Without Breaking a Sweat
(and other fitness myths)
by Melody L. Schoenfeld, CPT, CSCS, CMT
MYTH 1: If I do enough crunches/ab work, I’ll have flat abs.
THE TRUTH: There’s nothing wrong with doing lots of ab work. It will
help to strengthen your core and reduce lower back pain. What it will
not do is flatten your abs. The fact of the matter is, we all have a
“six-pack.” It’s just hidden under adipose tissue-- in other words,
belly fat. If you want to see your six-pack, you need to lose the
fat. There is no such thing as spot-training—you can’t work a body
part and lose weight in only that body part. The only way to lose your
excess fat is by exercising your entire body—not just your abs—and by
adopting a sensible healthy eating plan. Your body will likely lose
fat in reverse order from the way it gained fat. For most people, this
means the face first, then the extremities, and the abs dead last.
It’s also important to realize that most women can’t develop a six-pack
without losing an unhealthy amount of body fat. Although there are
women who can healthfully develop a ripped abdominal region, most women
will carry a small amount of fat over their abs.
MYTH 2: I’m a woman, so I can’t lift heavy weights or I’ll get bulky.
THE TRUTH: Unless they’re on steroids, most women simply don’t have
the testosterone to gain much bulk. With a good diet and training
program, you will see sexy definition, but you’re not going to look
like a body builder no matter how much weight you lift.
MYTH 3: Cardio is the key to weight loss.
THE TRUTH: For every pound of muscle you gain, you burn 35-55 extra
calories all day long. Cardio is a nice calorie-burner and a healthy
habit, but the burn won’t last you all day. Weight training turns your
body into a veritable fat-burning furnace. If I had to choose between
weight training and cardiovascular work, I’d choose weight training
hands-down.
MYTH 4: I don’t have a gym membership, and I don’t own weights. I can’t weight train.
THE TRUTH: You would be amazed what you can do with only your body weight, and maybe the assistance of some stretch bands and a Swiss ball . There is absolutely no excuse to remain sedentary!
Got questions? Feel free to
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