The Fountain of Youth: Washboard Abs

Washboard Abs

The latest buzz term is washboard abs. Actually this is nothing new. Great abdominals have been coveted for decades. But now they seem to be in great demand both for men and women.

With the increasing press about the obesity epidemic, this perhaps makes a good deal of sense. Overweight people should aspire to be trim and fit not just for their good looks, but for their health as well. Too much weight causes other organ problems and eventual death. People with washboard abs are presumed to be in great overall shape.

But the trim fat free abdominal region still falls more into the category of cosmetic healthiness. It is striven after chiefly by those who enjoy impressing others with their good looks, and in some exceptional cases, competing in physique contests. Many secretly wish they could emulate these people. Yet very few actually do.

Why are there so many nowadays who seemingly cannot lose weight around the middle? Indeed the waistline size of most urban people seems to have increased drastically over the last few decades, making the reality of washboard abs far farther and fewer between. It seems there are number of factors.

The typical culprits are of course still most guilty. These are fast food, high fat and high carbohydrate groceries, a sedentary lifestyle, and an aversion to supplements. This of course says nothing about the psychological refusal to do any type of exercises specifically for a better appearance. That is because of the medical profession's aversion to treating cosmetic problems and because of our Puritanical moral roots. In short, many of us simply will not do anything just for show.

Yet, not everyone is like this. There are people who have neither these aversions or even bad lifestyle issues who still cannot get rid of that spare tire as they call it. What is preventing them?

Beyond saying that nothing produces overnight results, these people should be told to look to their metabolisms. Keeping these at a burning point throughout the entire day is crucial. All too often even health-oriented people allow themselves to completely relax after having done their workouts or after having eaten eaten their meals. A few fifteen minute walks throughout the day (especially right after meals) can trun this phenomenon around. However, this assumes that one is supplementing to make the highest use of his or her food, doig a daily workout, which includes sit-ups, and eating in as calorie-sensitive a manner as is tolerable. Nothing will happen without these.

For further thought on an athletic lifestyle whatever your level, order my book Think and Grow Fit.

Posted by mark clemens at 10/7/2010 9:42 AM