Everyone would love to have a great stomach. For men, there’s nothing more impressed than the ripped six pack, while almost every woman pines for a flat stomach they can show off come the summertime. Yes, the stomach is an important part of our perceptions about beauty and good looks. Yet so many people struggle to maintain their mid-section. What is it about the stomach that people find so difficult to stay in shape? The truth is that fat accumulates around your mid-section more quickly than it does around other parts of the body leading to the famous ‘beer belly’. So that means if you’re going to get the washboard abs of your dreams you’re going to have to put the work in. So here are our top five tops for getting the perfect stomach.
Number One – Decrease Your Body Fat
As we have already said, body fat tends to accumulate around the belly, so that means if you have a less than optimal body fat ratio, the first thing to suffer will be your stomach. The optimal range for men is to be between 8-10 per cent body fat in order to have defined abs. For women that figure is around 12-15 per cent. But the only way that you’re going to this effectively is by eating a better diet and exercising more; it’s not rocket science. Do the right things and reduce your body fat – this is your first step to the amazing stomach you’re looking for.
Number Two – Build Up The Muscles In Your Mid-Section
This is another obvious one, but you’re going to have to put in a lot of work where it counts – your stomach muscles. But that doesn’t mean that you should just sit around all day doing crunches and other abdominal exercises. The abs need quality workouts rather than quantity if they’re going to be effective. Weighted exercises are always going to be the best idea if you really want to have deep lines or ‘ripped’ abs.
Number Three – Decrease The Stress In Your Life
You weren’t expecting this one, were you? Yes, that’s right, stress is bad for you if you’re looking to work on your abs. This is due to a complicated scientific process where our bodies release more cortisol when we are under stress. Cortisol is very bad news if you are trying to build muscle or trim fat off, so it’s no surprise that as soon as you get the cortisol as a part of your life, it ruins your plans pretty quickly. So avoid the stress – find whatever way is best for you to relax and do some more of it.
Number Four – Stay Properly Hydrated
When it comes to building muscle, it can’t be said strongly enough that water is your best friend. You really do need to stay hydrated if you want to get a great six pack and a flat stomach. And water is the best way to hydrate your body without any doubt. So drink plenty of water and you’ll be doing you and your stomach a big favour.
Number Five – Avoid Those Problem Foods
We’ve all got our vices and our bad habits. There will be certain foods in your life that you really love but that you know are not good for you. Unfortunately we have to suffer for our art, and we have to suffer especially for our six packs. If you’re going to get the stomach that you crave you’ll need to stay away from those foods that you know are bad for you.