Tag: Weight Loss

Drink coffee to lose weight
Articles, Diet and Nutrition, Guest Articles

Does Drinking Coffee Effectively Help You To Lose Weight?

Does Drinking Coffee Effectively Help You Lose Weight?

Introduction

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if your morning coffee could contribute to your weight-loss journey? That might seem too good to be true, but some believe drinking coffee can help you lose weight.

But is that true? Can drinking coffee effectively help to lose weight?

Yes, drinking coffee on a regular basis can help you lose weight. A study conducted in 2012 found that coffee can induce thermogenesis. Thermogenesis is a bodily process that helps your body lose weight by generating heat. Furthermore, it increases your metabolic rate, which doesn’t let your body store fat.

That seems a bit exciting, doesn’t it? Allow me to elaborate.

How Does Drinking Coffee Effectively Help To Lose Weight?

I’m sure you have already heard, “Caffeine is bad” or “Avoid caffeine; it does this and that to your body.” etc etc. All those might or might not be true. But caffeine does have some health benefits, especially in the weight-loss sector.

Here are six ways coffee can help you lose weight.

1 – Thermogenesis

Thermogenesis is a process where the body can burn fat by raising its internal temperature. Caffeine converts the chemical energy in your body and produces enough heat. Using that heat, the body burns excess fat and calories.

Caffeine is considered a high-performing thermogenic, which is why some weight-loss supplements use it as an ingredient.

2 – Faster Metabolism

Another way drinking coffee helps you lose weight is by increasing your metabolism. Experts say caffeine can boost your metabolism rate up to 11%.

If you didn’t already know, metabolism is the process of converting calories into energy. A faster metabolism rate means your body will burn calories faster and will eventually burn away the excess fat stored in your body.

3 – Breaks Down Fats

Besides inducing natural processes that burn fat, caffeine itself can break down fat. Coffee influences your body chemistry in two ways. Both of these processes end up burning extra fat for you.

Caffeine increases the production of the enzyme lipase, which aids in the breakdown of fat during digestion. In addition to that, coffee raises the level of adrenaline in our blood, which aids in the breakdown of lipids. As a result, fats are broken down.

4 – Antioxidants

Coffee is said to contain antioxidants, which protect your cells from a harmful component named “free radicals.”

Free radicals are mainly responsible for cellular tissue damage, but additionally, they are the reason behind increased appetite and obesity. The antioxidants found in caffeine will fight and neutralize the free radicals.

5 – Decreases Appetite

Coffee’s chlorogenic acids reduce appetite, causing you to feel less hungry. This is fairly perfect for anyone seeking to reduce their food and calorie intake. Although chlorogenic acid is most abundantly found in raw (green) coffee beans, it is also found in roasted coffee. More chlorogenic acid is retained in coffee with a lighter roast character.

6 – Low-calorie

Besides all these benefits, coffee itself is a low-calorie drink, minus the cream and sugar. That means coffee solves your problem of finding a low-calorie drink of choice. Because of this, coffee is also a great pre-workout drink.

Is Coffee a Good Pre-Workout Drink?

Which Type Of Coffee Is Best For Weight Loss?

We all know that there are different types of coffee and different ways of making it. But what coffee is best for weight loss?

Black coffee is the best coffee to drink if you are looking to lose some weight. Green coffee would be a close second. If you have to add milk, a small amount of dairy or plant-based milk would be fine. But make sure to keep your sugar intake in check.

For your benefit, there are specifically manufactured coffees that promote weight loss. That kind of coffee could really lend you a hand fighting.

10 Simple & Easy Weight Loss Secrets >>

How Much Coffee Should You Drink For Weight Loss?

The coffee diet suggests drinking at least three cups (720 ml) of coffee per day. For a noticeable change, you should also limit your calorie intake. This diet may result in short-term weight loss, but it’s not healthy long-term.

So, besides drinking coffee on a regular basis, what you can do is eat a healthy diet and do some light exercises.

Also, there are some side effects of caffeine that put a heavy burden on your body. Sleep deprivation and tooth erosion are two of the many side effects.

So, a great option would be using Prodentim, an oral health supplement that will protect your teeth from erosion.

If you are not a big fan of coffee or do not want to drink a huge amount of coffee, you can try weight-loss supplements that are really good. These supplements are made from all-natural substances with no side effects and are completely safe and healthy.

FAQs

Can coffee reduce belly fat?

Yes, drinking coffee can reduce your belly fat. Caffeine has been found to benefit weight management by increasing metabolism and decreasing feelings of hunger. That makes coffee an effective belly fat-reducing drink.

How do you know you are burning fat?

When you are burning excess fat, you’ll notice that you are not feeling as hungry as before. Your mental and physical states will improve. Physical activities will interest you, and they should feel easier to do than before.

Does hunger mean you’re burning fat?

No, being hungry doesn’t necessarily mean you are burning fat. But you might feel hungrier when you are losing weight. On the contrary, a reduced appetite could indicate that your body is working on losing fat.

Conclusion

After all the discussion, you can safely say that drinking coffee can effectively help you lose weight. Coffee can speed up your metabolism, induce thermogenesis, and increase the production of fat-burning enzymes. All of these can lead to losing weight.

But only drinking coffee is not a healthy option, so you must consider and combine different procedures for losing weight.

Read More:

Is Coffee a Good Pre-Workout Drink?

Coffee for Strength and Performance!

More Articles >>

How To Boost Your Slow Metabolism Naturally
Articles, Diet and Nutrition, Guest Articles, Health and Wellness

5 Effective Natural Ways To Boost Your Slow Metabolism

5 Effective Natural Ways To Boost Your Slow Metabolism

Metabolism is the rate at which your body burns calories to convert them into energy. Your metabolism rate affects your health because it’s your body’s method of manufacturing energy and also impacts how quickly you lose or gain weight. Once it slows down, your body will undergo changes that can negatively affect your quality of living.

Various factors influence the metabolism rate, such as genetics, age, sex, muscle mass, and activity levels. A slow metabolism can cause excessive weight gain, which increases your risk of body weight-related conditions. In addition, it exposes you to risks of diabetes and other life-changing medical conditions.

It’s important to note that you can’t totally control your metabolism since genetics is a factor that affects it. However, you can still do things to manage it to help yourself be healthy. With that in mind, here are effective and natural ways to boost your metabolism.

1 – Increase your protein intake

Protein is a helpful nutrient for boosting your metabolism rate. It does so through a process called thermogenesis, in which your body uses about 10% of its calorie intake for digestion. Protein also takes longer to burn than fat, which makes your body use more energy to absorb its nutrients.

An easy and appealing way of increasing your regular protein intake is adding whey protein powder to your smoothies. According to a study, whey had greater fat oxidation and thermal effect. Fat oxidation is the process of breaking down fatty acids, while the thermal effect provides the body with extra energy for burning calories.

2 – Eat smaller meals throughout the day

It may sound counterintuitive, but adding smaller meals to your diet can help fasten your metabolism. A study expounds how eating multiple small meals spread throughout the day can keep your metabolism active. Hence, even a reputable Kansas City weight loss facility won’t stop you from doing it, just as long as you continue to eat healthily.

You can integrate the first point in this one by eating and drinking protein in your small meals. For example, you can try six small meals with a total of 300 calories each. Furthermore, smaller meals throughout the day can help maintain your sugar levels to prevent an insulin spike that may lead to weight gain.

3 – Drink coffee

Except for having a caffeine allergy, you should drink coffee. Chalk this up as another benefit people can gain from consuming caffeine. However, to increase your metabolism rate, the coffee you drink must fit the necessary health standards.

Your coffee must have reduced amounts of syrup and cream, or it shouldn’t have either. Coffee is a great source of energy and can improve energy levels during exercise. It helps you work harder and longer, which enhances your body’s fat-burning capability.

4 – Sleep in lower temperatures

Sleeping in a cool room won’t only help you rest better, but it also improves your metabolism. Sleeping at a low temperature increases the percentage of brown fat in your body. Brown fat is a special type of body activated when you get cold and also has more mitochondria than white fat.

Mitochondria help in burning calories and deliver the energy your body gets from fat to your cells. Brown fat contains more mitochondria, which makes your metabolism active even while you’re sleeping. Sleeping in light clothing and reducing your bedroom temperature can double the amount of brown fat in about four weeks.

5 – Build more muscle

Just by increasing your muscle mass you can effectively increase your metabolism. Muscle is vascular (has veins) and requires energy to maintain, unlike body fat. The more muscle you have, the more energy it requires to maintain. So, by simply building more muscle, you can effectively increase your metabolism!

Get a Program Now >>

Concluding thoughts on Metabolism

Improving your metabolism doesn’t take a lot of work. Instead, it takes adjusting your lifestyle accordingly to prevent quickly gaining excessive body weight. Watching what you eat and adding healthier options to your diet are some of the things you can do.

You don’t have to adopt all of these ways at once, only the ones you’re comfortable with. Start easy and slowly, and then gradually include other ways, and you’ll feel the improvements in a matter of time.

More on Metabolism >>

More Articles >>

Author’s Bio:

Though not a medical professional, Hodge Racter knows a lot about medical topics, including testosterone replacement therapy (having undergone the procedure himself). Today, he remains spry and energetic despite his age, and on his free days, he spends time with his wife and two dogs.

Ripped six pack abs
Articles, Guest Articles, Health and Wellness

What Percent Body Fat Do You Need To See Abs

What Percent Body Fat Do You Need To See Abs

Have you ever wondered what percentage of body fat you need to be at to see your abs? If you are into fitness, or have ever cut weight to achieve your best look, then you have likely pondered this question. And although this number and exact percentage is different for everyone, there are some good general guides to get you close. This article will cover those.

As a general rule, 10% body fat for men (14-17% for women) is the key number to really show your abs. You will start to see the definition of your abs before you get down to 10%. However, to really see the definition of your 6-pack, then 10% is your best target number.

Getting to 10% is simple, but it’s not easy. And always keep in mind that most of the work and heavy lifting is done in the kitchen, not in the gym.

Many people have the opposite perception of this important fact. You can do ab work and core work every day for hours, but if your diet is full of fat and unhealthy foods, then it’s a nearly impossible journey to get to 10%.

The Fundamentals of Getting to 10% Body Fat

Reality is, to cut weight and get to 10% body fat you simply must lose excess fat on your frame.

And the most effective way to do this is to consume less calories than you burn over a given period of time. And that period of time of course depends on your starting point.

If your body fat percentage is 25% or higher, then that is defined as obesity. So the journey will take longer but it’s still totally achievable. Whereas if your body fat is 15%, then you are very close to your target and it will not take as long.

However, if you have ever cut weight and reduced your body fat to 10%, then you likely know that the last 5% are oftentimes the most challenging. If you are obese, or severely obese, the weight falls off rather quickly when you start dieting and cutting weight. The first few months it’s possible that you might lose 5 pounds a week just with small changes.

But as your body adapts and becomes more efficient, and your metabolism changes to adjust to the reduction in calories, it is natural for the process to slow and become more challenging. But look at this as a positive thing, as your body is becoming more efficient.

Check out our friends at A Lean Life for more info on the process of getting lean.

Reduce Carbs…But Not Entirely

Most people trying to get extra lean need to reduce their carbohydrate intake. Carbs are a major stumbling block for many people, and the key to getting to 10% body fat is reducing carbs.

Cutting back on carbs has plenty of health benefits like losing weight, and it can also get you closer to getting your target % body fat. But how does one actually do this when most of us have diets that include a lot of carbs?

Here are some Diet Tips to get you to 10%:

1 – Enjoy healthier drinks.

Sugar-sweetened drinks like soda or iced tea are high in sugar and carbs. If water quenches your thirst, but not your craving for something tasty to drink, add lemon or sugar-free sweeteners like Stevia, Erythritol, or Xylitol. This will make your iced tea or water pretty tasty!

Also, fruit juices contain lots of carbs and so much sugar. Even those that claim they’re 100% fruit! So, you might as well eat the actual fruit so you can have some fiber too.

2 – Low-carb snacks can also make you feel full.

If you get really hungry a few hours before a meal, enjoy a quick fix of low-carb snacks like nuts and cheese—make sure you have them in small servings! Protein bars (100 to 250 calories) also work really well.

3 – More veggies, less bread and potatoes!

Especially when eating out, a lot of meal choices include bread and potatoes. Check with the restaurant if you can replace these high-in-carbohydrate foods with healthy vegetables instead. Healthcanal.com has compiled a list of the healthiest vegetables with detailed nutrition facts that you may find useful. White bread and pasta are considered simple carbohydrates, and are on the no-go list when you’re cutting to get shredded. Not to be mistaken with complex carbs, such as brown rice and whole wheat bread (which are healthy and necessary).

4 – Load up on protein.

This will make you feel full because of the “fullness hormone” PYY that’s released by protein. It reduces the feeling of hunger, and can help stop certain cravings of more food. Have at least one of these with breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

  • Cheese
  • Cottage Cheese
  • Nuts
  • Eggs
  • Greek Yogurt
  • Lean meats (sirloin steak)
  • Fish
  • Poultry (white meat chicken – grilled, no skin)

5 – Read food labels and count carbs!

Choose food items that have lower carb and sugar content, and also watch your calorie count. A good target is a calorie deficit of 200-300 calories per day.

You’ll lose fat, but not too fast where you start to lose muscle also.

You can even try out using nutrition trackers – look for available apps on your phone. These trackers will help you keep count of your carbohydrate intake.

The Bottom Line on Body Fat for Abs

If you want to see your abs, then you need to be 10% body fat (or at least very close). It’s not an easy journey, but it’s very doable with some discipline and a lean diet.

Learn more: Fat Loss Forever >>

More Articles >>

Weight Loss Program
Articles, Diet and Nutrition

Choosing a Safe and Successful Weight Loss Program

Choosing a Safe and Successful Weight Loss Program

Weight Gain is a major concern among many of the adults and millennials in the modern world. To remedy it, there are a lot of weight loss programs offered to help you reduce the excess weight. We often see different programs through magazines, TV, newspapers, radio, and websites that promise to help you lose weight. These programs often include a combination of a diet plan and exercise activity to help you lose weight.

Now, there are different weight loss programs available to follow that caters to certain individuals. If you are interested in losing extra weight but don’t know which weight loss program is best for you, then this post will guide you in choosing the right one.

Get our 10 Weight Loss Secrets Guide >>

6 Steps to Fat Loss Forever >>

Talk to your doctor first

Before beginning your weight loss journey, it is essential that you talk to your doctor. You might have a medical condition that restricts you from doing a certain exercise. Or you might not able to follow certain diet-plan due to medication. So, it is important that you consult with your doctor before beginning any new diet or exercise program.

You will also get important information regarding your optimal BMI, weight, and other health-related information from your doctor or health-care professional that will help you to choose the right weight-loss program for you.

Things to Consider in a Weightloss Program

There are a variety of factors that composite a good weight loss program. A single weight-loss plan will not be suitable for everyone as it will change upon an individual’s need. To choose a diet plan that will meet with your liking, you should consider the following things:

Cost and Time

Some weight-loss programs are much more costly than others as they demand you to buy certain exercise equipment and meals. Some weight-loss programs also include visiting clinics and support meetings. So, you need to spend your time when you follow these types of weight loss plans.

If you have time and money, then you can choose any premium weight loss program. However, if you have limited time and budget, then you should definitely try a different weight loss plan as it may interfere with your day-to-day life.

Get our FREE Fat Loss Guide >>

Health Condition

Your current health condition also affects how you choose the weight-loss program.

If you are on daily medication or have any condition that restricts you from following a certain diet, then you should choose your weight-loss program carefully. For example, some people cannot run for long or lift heavy weights because of certain cardiac or bone conditions. So, they should carefully choose their weight loss program as it may interfere with their condition.

As mentioned earlier, it is best to consult with your doctor before choosing a weight loss program.

Take Your Health Self-Assessment >>

Preferred Diet Plan

There are different diet-plans present in different weight-loss programs. You should pick one that suits you best.

  • A flexible diet-plan has food items from all food groups and doesn’t restrict you from having certain food types. It is good for people who are new to weight loss programs and young people.
  • A balanced diet plan is like flexible dieting but puts restrictions on how much you can intake certain food items. It is a safe and healthy diet-plan and is suitable for young and older people alike.
  • Other plans like high-protein, low carbohydrates, low fat, and low calories include a severe restriction on certain food types. It will give you a rapid weight loss than the aforementioned types, but you should choose carefully as they do not suit everyone.

Learn more about Proper Diet >>

Other Factors

Some other factors that you should consider are the risks and the success of the different weight loss programs. Some programs will have inherent risks but may give you quick success in reducing weight. While others don’t have high risks or good success.

You should do some research behind the science and technique of each weight loss program. Then choose the one that you think is best for you.

6 Steps to Fat Loss Forever >>

Popular Weight Loss Programs

1. Mayo Clinic Diet-Plan

Mayo Clinic Diet Plan

The experts at the Mayo Clinic have created a popular weight loss program that is suitable for most people. It includes good guidelines to lose excess weight along with living a sustainable life.

You should follow this plan if you intend to live a healthy lifestyle and have a diet that sticks with you for life.

The two main parts of this program are the losing and living phase. The losing phase happens for the first two weeks where you lose up to 5 kilograms by modifying your diet. The living phase helps you to keep your optimal weight permanently. It is a lifelong approach.

The Mayo Clinic diet plan encourages you to have a good amount of healthy foods that are low on calories such as fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain meals. You also get lean protein food items like fish, unsaturated-fats, etc.

The thing to know is that this food-plan doesn’t eliminate any food items for you to have. You can eat everything but in certain portions.

Also, this plan also encourages you to do at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. You should also be active throughout your day like taking stairs instead of the lift, etc.

By following this plan, you not only get to reduce your weight, but you also reduce your chances of developing chronic health conditions; such as diabetes, heart-related problems, high cholesterol, High Blood Pressure, etc.

This plan is one of the most practical and sustainable weight-loss programs for all that you can follow all your life.

When you’re dieting, it’s always recommended to track your weight using weighing scales.

2. Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent Fasting

This diet-plan is now the most popular among the young generation. Intermittent fasting includes a time period throughout the day where you can eat and then fast for the rest.

There are different forms of Intermittent fasting that exist today based on the time periods and calories such as 16/8, 5:2, etc.

  • In the 16/8 method, you can only eat for 8 hours per day and continue fasting for the other 16 hours per day.
  • In the 5:2 method, you should only take around 500-600 calories for 2 days per week and continue your normal diet for the rest of the days.

By restricting the time and calories that you should intake, Intermittent fasting works well in reducing your weight. If you don’t eat too much in the rest of the time, you can see significant weight loss by following this program.

Studies show that intermittent fasting can reduce up to 8 percent of your weight in just 5-6 months. It can also reduce your belly fat, which is the most harmful fat in our body, by 4-7%.

Research into the intermittent fasting also shows that it can improve your mental health, increase your insulin sensitivity, and reduce inflammation.

Intermittent fasting is a popular weight-loss plan with a lot of health benefits. But it also has its fair share of risks. While it is generally safe for young and healthy people to follow, the same cannot be said for people with a medical condition. People with diabetes, eating disorders, low weight, and pregnant women should talk with their health care professional before following this diet.

3. Paleo Diet

Paleo Diet

Another popular weight loss program along with intermittent fasting is the paleo diet. It follows the principle of eating foods that our ancestors took before they developed agriculture to lead a healthy life.

Weight gain along with the chronic diseases that plague the modern world can be linked to modern processed foods. If you avoid these foods, then your weight automatically reduces.

In the paleo diet, you get to eat food that is rich in lean protein such as meat, nuts, and seeds; along with different fruits and vegetables. You also limit the food that is processed and rich in calories such as sugar, dairy, etc.

Now, there are different versions of the paleo diet available that includes and restricts different food categories. But overall, following the paleo diet, reduces the number of calories you intake every day.

Studies show that by following the paleo diet, one can significantly reduce their weight along with harmful belly fat. As you intake only foods that are rich in proteins, you get to reduce the risk of developing heart-related problems, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

Like Intermittent fasting, the Paleo diet has risks for some people. People who have kidney problems or other related conditions cannot intake high-amount of calories. So, they should consult with their doctor before following this diet.

It also restricts you to have whole grain and dairy that are healthy and nutritious.

4. Plant-Based Diet

In a plant-based vegetarian diet, you are restricted to have anything outside of plant-related food items.

Foods such as meat, dairy, eggs, honey, and other animal-derived products are restricted in this diet. Plant-based items such as whole grains, vegetables, and fruits are encouraged in this diet.

This diet works well in reducing weight as it contains food that is high in fiber and starch. It keeps your stomach full for a long time, thus reducing the number of calories you intake every day.

Studies too show that people who follow a vegan diet can reduce their weight significantly while also reducing their risk of having heart problems, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.

While the plant-based diet is safe for everyone, you get to lose nutrients such as Vitamin B12, D, calcium, zinc, iodine, etc that are exclusively found in animal-derived products.

5. Low Carb & Low Fat Diets

Low Fat and Low Carb Diets

Low carb and Low fat diet-plans have been popular for decades because of the results they provide in reducing excess weight.

Studies have shown that these diet plans are good in reducing your weight; especially the harmful belly fat. They can also reduce your risk of developing heart disease, high cholesterol, high Blood Pressure, and diabetes.

While these diet plans are generally considered safe and good for everyone, they are not suited for all. While some may feel good on the low carbohydrate or low-fat diet, others may feel miserable.

6. Ketogenic (High-Fat) Diet

Ketogenic Diet for Athletes

The Ketogenic Diet is a high-fat, moderate-protein, and low-carb diet plan. The Keto Diet mainly restricts carbohydrates and is best for those with carb or sugar addictions. Learn More >>

When you’re dieting, it’s always recommended to track your weight using weighing scales.

6 Steps to Fat Loss Forever >>

Conclusion

You have to understand that there is no perfect weight loss plan that works for everyone. So, you should carefully consider all the factors and choose the one that suits you best. We hope you got some information on choosing a successful weight loss program to live a long healthy life.

Get a Workout Program >>

More Diet Articles >>

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Ripped six pack abs
Articles, Health and Wellness, Strength Training

RIPPED Six Pack Abs

RIPPED

How to Get Six Pack Abs—Fast!

Of course, we all want to build a pair of sexy six-pack abs. The problem is, that it is not easy! It takes hard work, dedication and time. But if you can stay focused, then you, just like anyone else, can get ripped! You just have to lose that belly fat and get those ab muscles bulging! This article will teach you how to do it best! Then you can get those ab muscles bulging in time to show off your summer beach body!

Get our 10 Weight Loss Secrets Guide >>

Ripped six pack abs

We all want those nice-looking, six-pack abs that everyone stares at. However, few people know how to get them. There are just too many ab myths around to sort through for people to really the truth of how to get a nice pair of abdominals.

Some people say it’s all diet, while others say diet doesn’t matter. And too many people believe that if you just do a bunch of abdominal exercises you will get those abs popping. While others say you don’t need to train them at all.

A lot of people also believe it is all about genetics, and how fit your parents were.

So with all these beliefs, which one is it? How do we get those nice looking six-pack abs? How do we get ripped?

The truth is, most of those beliefs are true. However, doing only one of those things will not give you those nice looking six-pack abs we all want. It takes a lot of things added together to get yourself a pair of ripped abdominals that really show. 

It takes a lot of things added together to get yourself a pair of abdominals that really show.

Ab Workout for Women

Exercise for Six Pack Abs

First and foremost, many people believe that weight loss is 70% diet and 30% exercise. This is absolutely NOT TRUE.

How can it be? Diet only adds in calories while exercise takes away calories. Plus, exercise gives you long-lasting benefits, including metabolic effects that can continue burning off calories long after your workout ends. Read more on this here! >>

Therefore, the main piece to any weight loss, or transformation plan MUST BE EXERCISE.

With that said, you need to exercise at least 5 days per week, if not every day. And remember, walking is NOT exercise!

By exercising often, especially on a daily basis, you are constantly burning off calories and gaining the muscular benefits of exercise. And, when training that frequently (5+ days per week), you should do moderate-intensity exercise.

Moderate Intensity Exercise

The minimum amount you need to do is 30-60 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise daily. Also, make sure to keep your heart rate up to where it is difficult to breathe the entire time. Examples are running, cycling or a circuit at the gym with minimal rest periods.

You can also do bodyweight exercises or any other form of exercise that keeps you moving the whole time. But focus on keeping your heart rate up.

Try this Bodyweight Circuit Routine! >>

High-Intensity Interval Training

High-Intensity Interval Training burns the most belly fat the fastest!

If you have a lot of belly fat to remove in order to see your developed abdominals, you should consider doing high-intensity interval training (HIIT) 2-3 days per week.

High-intensity training done 2-3 days per week, in the form of sprinting, burns the most belly fat the fastest. And, therefore, is the fastest way to get RIPPED six-pack abs! The problem is, most people are unwilling to put in that kind of work.

It is best to do sprints, but you can also do other forms of high-intensity cardio training such as cycling or jump roping. But, with any exercise you do, it MUST BE INTENSE.

An example is sprinting for 20-30 seconds, then resting for up to a minute. You can also do shorter and longer rest periods, but a 1:2 work to rest ratio works well with high-intensity exercise.

Again, this should only be done 2-3 days per week. And it replaces your moderate-intensity exercise for that day.

However you choose to do your daily exercise, just remember that it is the main piece to any weight loss, transformation or six-pack abs plan. However, there is still more to it.

Diet for RIPPED Six Pack Abs

You simply cannot eat your way to a six pack.

The next important piece to getting ripped is diet. Your diet is important and plays a major role in fat loss. But, it is not the main piece.

You cannot eat your way to a 6-pack from a high body fat state, without the use of exercise. Again, diet can only add in calories, it does not take them away.

Also, there is nothing magic about your diet that is going to suddenly make you lose fat or weight. It is as simple as calories in, versus calories out. If you eat more calories than you lose from exercise, you will gain weight. If you eat fewer calories than you use daily, you will lose weight.

However, when you lose this weight, you are more likely to lose muscle than fat. That is unless you give your body a reason to maintain the muscle mass you have.

This is because muscle is hard for your body to maintain. So your body tries to get rid of any extra muscle mass that is not important for survival. That is why it is important to do some amount of strength training, or resistance exercise, while on your diet. This will give your body a reason to maintain muscle mass and just burn off fat.

Strength Training for Six Pack Abs

The strength training you do does not need to be highly intense. And can be done as part of your training circuit at the gym.

If you choose to do that, do 10-15 repetitions per exercise on compound (multi-joint) exercises that use multiple muscle groups, for the greatest results. Things like squats, deadlifts, and presses.

Strength training should be utilized 3-6 days per week and be added to your other exercise activities; which are done afterward.

Create Your Own Workout! >>

Strength Training Programs! >>

More on Diet

Also, our diet should not consist of high-density foods with a lot of calories. For example, ice cream, cheesecake or other high-calorie desserts.

Also, avoid added sugars, because these change your hormones to where you will end up retaining, if not gaining, more body fat.

You can have some treats, but limit yourself to one day per week that you have something very sugary.

Also, avoid drinking your calories in things such as juices or alcohol. These add up calories quickly.

Try to eat a good combination of healthy, nutrient-dense foods, such as meat (white and dark), fruit, and vegetables.

Also, try not to overindulge in too many fruits or nuts all day, as those add up calories quickly as well.

Eat a wide variety of healthy foods, and just keep track of your overall caloric intake.

Review our Diet and Nutrition Principles! >>

More on Diet and How To Cut Calories. >>

Bodybuilding Six Pack Abs for men

Six Pack Genetics

A third and smaller piece to the puzzle is Genetics. Diet and exercise are the main pieces that take up most of the efforts. But you also need to think of other factors.

Genetics is an important factor. Some people are more predisposed to have less muscle growth and more abdominal fat. While, some people have very clean cut looking abs, almost naturally while others may not ever see them.

The genetics we have effect our metabolism to some degree and also shape how our abs look. So genetics is mentionable as a factor.

How To Train Your Abs

Train your abs for size, not endurance!

Also, you should train your abdominals for hypertrophy (size), if you want them to stick out more. If you train them for endurance, you are more likely to make them shrink than stand out.

They need to be built, not just worked!

Even through layers of fat, large abdominal muscles can give you some base look of a six-pack. So train your abdominals. Not so much with high repetitions like a cardio session, but more like other muscle groups; such as the biceps.

Do 3-4 sets of 10-15 repetitions of abdominal exercises that are difficult for you, 3-4 days per week.

It’s best to do weighted exercises such as weighted crunches or hanging leg raises. See more six-pack abs exercises and their descriptions here >> Ab and Core Exercises. 

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Sleep More to get RIPPED

Sleep is very important for not only recovery from exercise, but also to regulate your hormones and rid you of unnecessary stress.

The final extra piece that needs to be mentioned is sleep.

Sleep is very important for not only recovery from exercise, but also to regulate your hormones and rid you of unnecessary stress. Stress leads to increased abdominal fat. And sleep alone can help greatly in decreasing your stress levels.

So make sure you are getting an absolute minimum of 7 hours of sleep daily. However, 8-9 hours per day is best.

How much Sleep do you actually need? >>

6 Pack Abs for women

Final Notes

Of course, there are many other small factors that can be added into your ripped six-pack plan, but these are the main ones:

  1. Exercise
  2. Diet
  3. Genetics
  4. Sleep

So there you have it! Your very own guide on how to obtain those sought after ripped six-pack abs. Now all you have to do is apply it!

You have to choose to go out and exercise on a daily basis. You have to choose to make a change in your diet and eat only what will help you reach your goals. Then you have to choose to put all the pieces together, such as getting to sleep on time every day. And you have to choose to go after the goals you set and achieve them.

Just remember, to work towards your goals every day, and you will soon reach the mountain top. Then be ready to look for the next one! Now, go change your world!

Keep getting stronger my friends!

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Read more articles from the Strength Blog! >>

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