5 Flat Tummy Myths
(and 3 Steps to Tight Abs)
A flat belly… it’s like the Holy Grail.
As a Miami personal trainer for over 15 years, I have seen it all. While I commend people for wanting to feel healthy and look good there is also an under-belly (haha, see what I did there?!) of fad tricks that are just plain unhealthy.
Don’t Do These…
Myth #1: Take diet pills to speed results.
I know it’s so tempting! The ads make compelling claims about the power of popping a pill, but don’t fall for it. There is no ‘magic pill’. Diet pills are more likely to burn through your pocketbook than to slim you down.
Myth #2: Do extra crunches to flatten your abs.
Excessive crunches aren’t the answer for tight abs. In order to achieve a toned look you’ll have to focus on burning off the layer of fat that is covering up your tummy. There is no way to reduce body fat of a particular area. Instead you have to lower overall body fat.
Myth #3: Turn to packaged diet products to boost results.
Don’t fall for the foods that are packaged as ‘diet’ or ‘weight loss’ aids. Quite often these products are packed with refined sugar and other artificial ingredients that your body doesn’t need, and certainly won’t help you attain that tight tummy. In fact, these “meals” are often detrimental to your end goals.
Myth #4: Avoid all carbohydrates in order to achieve tight abs.
Carbohydrates have been given a bad rap, which is unfortunate because you can (and should) eat carbs while slimming down. The key is to avoid processed and refined flours and sugars.
Myth #5: Starve the chub away.
Trying to lose weight by starving yourself is not only ineffective it can also be dangerous. It may seem that severe calorie restriction would deliver the quickest weight loss, but your body is complex and by doing so you’ll disrupt your metabolism and slow your results.
Instead Do These…
Now that you know what not to do in order to achieve tight abs, it’s time to go over your flat tummy game plan. At my Miami personal training studio, we preach, what you need to know in 3 simple steps:
Step One: No more junk.
The best way to do this is by purging your kitchen. Throw out the sugary, processed foods. Once the junk has been cleared out, don’t buy any more of it. Remember that your abs depend largely on what you eat – don’t eat junk!
Step Two: Eat whole foods.
Replace the junk food in your life with plenty of the following: cooked and raw vegetables, fresh fruits, whole grains, moderate amounts of seeds and nuts, lean meats and low fat dairy. Clean eating really is that simple.
Step Three: Workout with intention.
It’s no secret that for most people working out feels like a punishment. Find a plan that excites you and intrigues you. That may be working out with a trainer who can expedite your results or joining a group class with your friends.
Visit www.Dubailfitness.com or our Brickell personal training studio to schedule your free 30-minute consultation with me. We’ll work out a plan to reach your goals and ensure that you’re focusing on what matters and leaving the rest of the confusing stuff behind.
Eat Clean & Live Lean,
David Dubail