Abs are made in the kitchen, right? That’s what I keep hearing. So, if that’s true… why are so many of us over here doing crunch, after crunch, after crunch? I, for one, HATE training abs! In fact, yesterday, my husband told me to go do some lower abs, and you would of thought he punched me in the face. I train abs, maybe… once a month; at the very most.
So, lets discuss this topic; do you have to train abs in order to have a lean, defined midsection?
Let’s discuss diet
The way I think about “diet” is eating to fuel your goals. The reason we eat is to live, survive, and complete our daily goals. So why would we not feed ourselves with the proper nutrients? Regardless if you are a man or woman, the abdominals is where A LOT of people tend to store fat; however, this is especially true for us females. If you have extra fat on your belly, it doesn’t matter how many crunches and ab moves you do… you will NEVER see them.
Now, does that mean you have to starve, not eat any carbs, and slowly kill yourself (that may have been a little bit exaggerated); the answer is NO! You just need to maintain a healthy lifestyle. That means a healthy blend of protein, carbs, and fats. You should NEVER eat only one of these nutrients, your body needs them ALL to function properly.
These are my favorite foods for a defined tummy:
- Proteins: Chicken, white fish, lean beef, egg whites, beauty whey, Bambody treats
- Carbs: sweet potato, oatmeal, red potato, rice
- Fats: Avocado, olive oil, coconut oil, almond, nut butters
As far as the perfect amounts of each to eat, that is different for every person. What works for me, probably won’t work for you, but that just means you need to find your magic numbers. If you need help, working with a trainer or coach can help you discover your magic numbers. For more information on individual nutrition plans visit www.bambodynutrition.com
Now, our diets is on point…. Do we still need to train abs? The answer here is YES!
With that said, can you have abs and not ever exercise them, ABSOLUTELY! However, just like we discussed in our female chest training article, it is very important to strengthen your entire body and not create imbalances.
As I have already confessed, I don’t train abs; do I have them; yes, most the time. However, I have problems with my hips and lower back that come directly from my weak core. A strong core can also help aid in muscle growth. The stronger your core, the more stability you have, therefore the more weight you can lift. AKA booty gains ladies :)
Essentially, core work IS important. Whether you simply desire a certain look, or wish to build a strong physique… it all goes hand in hand.
Conclusion: eat right and train right and everything will come together.
Till next time beauties…