Essential Fat Loss Tips
It takes effort. self discipline and an effective training and nutrition program to achieve a toned set of abdominals and reduce your body fat percentage to single digits. The tips we present here are what we feel are essential guidelines for revealing that elusive 'six pack'.
EAT PROTEIN WITH EVERY MEAL
Protein intake is an essential ingredient of any fat loss program, not only does it increase your metabolic rate, but also preserves muscle. Combined with your program this will bring about a well toned physique. A diet containing approximately 40% Protein, 40% Carbs and 20% Fat can actually accelerate fat loss when compared to a traditional high carbohydrate, low fat diet. For those wishing to increase lean muscle with the program protein is an absolute necessity. Imagine building a house with no bricks, the same can be said for adding muscle, no protein - no muscle, no bricks - no house!
AVOID CARBOHYDRATES & DRINKS BEFORE AND DURING EXERCISE
Quite simply, carbohydrates consumed before or during exercise will reduce the amount of fat you burn. Instead of breaking down the stored body fat, your body will burn the carbohydrates you have eaten instead, which is bad news! Even when consumed 2-3 hours before exercising, a carbohydrate meal will reduce the amount of body fat burned. This is why you MUST perform cardiovascular exercise on an empty stomach preferably first thing in the morning for maximum fat loss benefits or about 2-3 hours after a meal which contained carbohydrates. A recent study showed that a soft drink containing carbohydrates taken before exercise lead to a 34% reduction in fat burning. This doesn't mean that you should avoid drinks altogether. A wealth of research shows they can enhance endurance exercise like working out with weights. But if your goal is to lose weight or body fat, these drinks will slow you progress. Drink water to avoid dehydration during exercise, the more water the better.
INTAKE HEALTHY FATS
Believe it or not some fats are actually good for you and can accelerate fat loss. New research has shown that certain types will increase weight loss. Scientists report that fat loss diets containing essential fatty acids, (omega 3), found in salmon, tuna or sardines can increase fat loss by an impressive 13%. Make sure to include these essential fats in your diet on a regular basis.
AVOID STARCHY, PROCESSED, HIGH GLYCEMIC CARBOHYDRATES
Carbohydrates used to be known as either simple or complex carbs. Simple carbohydrates (like chocolate, chips, fruit and cakes) were thought to digest quickly, leading to rapid increases in blood sugar. Complex carbohydrates (potatoes, brown rice and vegetables) were thought to lead to a more gradual rise in blood sugar. However recent studies now rate carbohydrates according to their speed of digestion. This rating is known as the Glycemic Index (GI). Foods that digest rapidly lead to a fast release of glucose into the blood stream. These are known as High GI foods. Foods that digest more slowly release glucose into the blood gradually, and are classed as having a low GI.
Foods containing a low GI are more effective for fat loss. A study undertaken for 12 weeks compared the effects of foods with high and low GI. After 12 weeks, the group consuming low GI foods lost 33% more body fat than those on the high GI diet. Follow up studies have confirmed that subjects consuming a low GI meal burn 70% more fat than those eating a meal with high GI. Here's a few fat burning low GI carbs: Vegetables, brown rice, wholewheat pastas and rices, potatoes, salads. And now a list of starchy, processed high GI carbs: Products made with white flour, white breads, white pastas, fruit, chips, bagels, cakes, snacks and snack bars, enriched cereals, chocolate, soft drinks, biscuits etc.
DRINK PLENTY OF WATER
So many people choose to ignore this basic but crucial tip. Without sufficient water you will dehydrate- fast. Studies have shown that water actually accelerates fat loss by as much as 40%. It appears that an increase in hydration activates a key 'fat burning' enzyme responsible for converting fat into energy. Make it a habit to drink 1-2 litres of water daily, more if you train intensely. Water will also help to flush toxins out of your system and will give you an all round boost.
DON'T OVERTRAIN
When you cut down on the amount of food your eating, your risk of overtraining increases. Therefore you must adhere to the recommendations to the program. Overtraining will diminish muscle gains, you must be careful not to perform to much cardiovascular training and too much weight training, this will exhaust you and bring negative results.
SUPPLEMENTATION
In recent years the introduction of fat loss and body building products has been phenomenal. For many the amount of products is overwhelming. However we strongly recommend the benefits of supplementing with a good Whey Protein Shake. Preparing 5 or 6 meals a day can be very time consuming, this is where a shake can come in very handy. Providing as much as 40 grams of quality protein in one serving a protein shake can get you well on your way to consuming your daily recommendations. Again this product is a real must for anyone wishing to increase or maintain lean muscle.
Many people have experienced even faster results on the Sixpacknow program with the use of fat burning aids like, Lean System 7, Hydroxycut and Xenadrine EFX. These products work by increasing the rate at which fat is released from its storage areas like the thighs or stomach area. However these products don't just work alone, they must be incorporated with a well constructed diet and exercise regime for maximum effect. Excellent results can still be achieved without these aids.
TRAIN YOUR ABDOMINALS HARD
You won't get that all elusive 'six pack' without the proper amount of exercising. Your abdominals are like any other muscle group in your body and can easily be overtrained. Five hundred sit ups a day will not work any fast than 500 a week! It's all about quality not quantity. Our recommendations for your individual build are given in your program, but you must remember that you must work them hard and till failure on every ab workout. Your movements must be focused with the emphasis placed on the abdominals at all times. Keep them tensed at all times to encourage more stress on the muscle wall. Use weights and heavy objects to build blockier abdominals and lighter weight for more toned abs. Make sure you feel that burn!