Vital - distributed monthly within the Detroit Free Press & The Detroit News. Also available free in hundreds of local racks
Advertisement
Advertisement
Seeking a Sexy Six-Pack
Getting great abs means more than just doing crunches
Question:
What can I do to get rock-hard abdominal muscles? – Robert, Dearborn
Answer:
Great abs are the result of two major components: diet and exercise. Try to get at least 30-60 minutes of cardiovascular training, four to six times a week. You also should be doing a regular weight-training routine at least two to four days each week.
Break the abs up into three sections: from the belly button up, from the belly button down, and the obliques, the “love handles.”
The best way to work the upper half of the abs is with some form of crunch. Lie on your back with your knees bent at a 90- degree angle. With your arms across your chest, roll up so your upper back and shoulders curl off the floor.
For the lower half of your abs, start from the same position but with your arms by your sides, then curl your knees up toward your chest. For the obliques, go back to the basic crunch position, with your hands behind your head and your elbows out to the side. Crunch up diagonally, bringing the elbow toward the opposite knee.
Nutrition also is important to achieve great abs. Your diet needs to consist of lean proteins, with plenty of vegetables. Minimize starchy carbohydrates, and avoid sugars and white flour, as well as highly saturated fats.
“It is very important that you don’t set your calorie intake so low that you are starving your body of energy, because then it will be impossible to build muscles,” says Amanda Bryant, certified athletic trainer at DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan. “Once you have a well-balanced diet rich in nutrient- dense fruit, vegetables and protein, you are ready to begin a good all-around core exercise program.”
Hopefully, all these tips will help you achieve the rock-hard abs you desire
If you have questions on nutrition or exercise, you can reach Peter Nielsen and his staff by calling 888.763.4808. Listen to Peter on News/Talk 760 WJR Detroit at 11:25 a.m. daily and from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. every Sunday, and check your local listings for Peter’s nationally syndicated TV series, Peter’s Principles, seen locally on WDIV-TV (Channel 4). For more information on his programs or products, visit www.peternielsen.com. Have a question for Peter? E-mail it to cmnelson@dnps.com or nielsenfit@aol.com.