The Endless Obsession with Abs Training is Killing Me ( Here are Facts you need to know about Ab trainig and Six Packs)

Are you one of those women who spend hours doing crunches, planks, and other ab exercises in the hope of getting a flat and toned belly? If so, you might be wasting your time and energy on a myth that has been perpetuated by the fitness industry and the media. The truth is, ab workouts alone are not enough to get rid of belly fat and reveal your six pack. In fact, they might even be counterproductive in some cases. Here are some reasons why you should stop obsessing over ab workouts and focus on other aspects of your fitness and health instead.

Ab workouts do not burn belly fat

One of the biggest myths about getting a six pack is that you can spot reduce fat from your abdomen by doing ab exercises. This is simply not true. Fat loss occurs all over your body, not just in one area. You cannot control where your body stores or burns fat, as this is largely determined by your genetics, hormones, and lifestyle factors. The only way to reduce belly fat is to create a calorie deficit, which means you need to burn more calories than you consume. This can be achieved by eating a healthy and balanced diet, and doing regular aerobic or cardio exercise that raises your heart rate and metabolism. According to WebMD¹, some of the best types of cardio exercises for belly fat include walking, running, biking, swimming, and interval training¹.

Ab workouts do not define your six pack

Another myth about getting a six pack is that you need to do a lot of crunches and other ab exercises to sculpt and shape your abdominal muscles. This is also not true. Your abdominal muscles are already there, you just need to make them visible by losing the layer of fat that covers them. Doing ab exercises will strengthen your core, which is important for your posture, balance, and overall health, but they will not change the appearance of your abs. In fact, doing too many ab exercises can cause muscle imbalances, lower back pain, and poor posture. According to Fitness and Power², some of the common myths about ab exercises include: you need to do a low carb diet, you need a gym to lose weight, there is one killer ab exercise, and you should train abs every day². These are all false and can lead to frustration and disappointment.

Ab workouts are not the only factor for a six pack

The final myth about getting a six pack is that ab workouts are the only factor that matters. This is also not true. There are many other factors that influence your ability to get a six pack, such as your genetics, gender, age, body type, and lifestyle. For example, some people have a natural tendency to store more fat in their belly, while others have a larger split or gap between their ab muscles. These are things that you cannot change or control, and they will affect how your abs look when you get lean enough. According to Mental Floss³, having a six pack is actually pretty useless as a measure of fitness, and it can even be unhealthy for some people, especially women³. For women, too little body fat can result in amenorrhea (loss of menstrual cycles), which in turn is a major risk factor for developing osteoporosis. Having a six pack also does not mean that you have a strong core, as there are many other muscles that support your spine and pelvis that are not visible on the surface.

The bottom line

Getting a six pack is not impossible, but it is not easy either. It requires a lot of dedication, discipline, and patience. It also requires a realistic and holistic approach that considers your diet, exercise, and lifestyle. Ab workouts are not the magic solution that will give you a six pack overnight. They are only one part of the equation, and not the most important one. If you want to get a six pack, you need to focus on losing belly fat, not just doing ab exercises. You also need to accept and embrace your unique body shape and genetics, and not compare yourself to unrealistic standards and images. And most importantly, you need to remember that having a six pack is not the ultimate goal of fitness and health. It is just one possible outcome that may or may not suit your personal preferences and needs. What matters more is how you feel, how you function, and how you enjoy your life.