Flat Abs What flat abs!

We uncover the truth about Flat Abs

The only way to get flat abs is to lose body fat

We all want flat abs ! A friend of mine keeps saying "I've been working on my tummy for years and I still can't get that perfect flat tummy even though I have a good diet. Many of you out there are probably saying the same. If that's the case, have you ever wondered why you persist? There are not many things in life you'd stay with for that long when you've failed at it?

Despite the facts, many people still think they can get flat abs if they just keep doing enough ab exercises. In other words, we think we can't reach this goal because we're doing something wrong. The truth is, getting a six-pack is hard and, if you haven't seen yours yet, maybe it's not what you're doing that's the problem.

Its a Myth

If you've been doing crunches forever and are miffed that you still don't have flat abs, you're no doubt operating under a myth - that you can do an exercise for a certain area of your body and the fat will fall off.

Why else would you spend so much time doing crunches if you didn't believe they would burn the fat off your belly? It's no wonder we still think this...if you pick up any popular fitness magazine you'll find plenty of headlines to feed that belief. For example, in the February issue of Fitness Magazine, the giant title on the front cover? "Banish Belly Fat - Tone, tighten , trim in just 7 moves." 7 moves to flat abs? Who wouldn't want that? It's these kinds of headlines that keep us stuck in the same place for months and years, trying the same thing over and over and thinking we'll finally get it right.

The truth is, six-pack abs are difficult to get. Even if you're in great shape and exercising regularly you might not have a six-pack. Perhaps that's not the right goal for you? Is it time to let go of old goals and set new ones? Maybe it'll help to get a clear idea of what it takes to get flat abs.

What You Really Need for Flat Abs

You may think the number one thing to do to get flat abs, is ab exercises..Wrong! In fact, getting flat abs requires commitment, hard work and something else you have no control over the right genes.

The only way to get flat abs is to lose body fat and you already know what that requires:

1. Regular cardiovascular exercise
2. Strength Training for the ENTIRE BODY not just the abs
3. A healthy, low-calorie diet

You must get all three of these (especially your diet) right on a consistent basis in order to even get close to flat abs. And, something else important: If you've lost body fat and you still don't have flat abs, don't be terribly surprised. Many of us will never see that six-pack because:

The body fat level required to get flat abs is lower than you can sustain with your current lifestyle/schedule, or The body fat level required is lower than is healthy for your body to function.
So, even if you follow a perfect program and a perfect diet, flat abs still may elude you.

Does that mean you should give up? You shouldn't give up on exercise but, maybe, giving up the ideal of six-pack abs is exactly what you need to make your life better.

The 'Ideal' may not be right for you

Now you know the truth: The goal to get flat abs may:

Require more exercise than you are able to put in
Require the right mental attitude
Require more attention to your diet than you're willing/able to expend
Not be in your genes

If you agree to the above, maybe it's time to get rid of that goal. It may seem foreign to imagine an exercise life without it, but it's possible and tossing that goal may actually be a relief, allowing you to focus on what you CAN change.

Ask yourself?

Do I really want flat abs?

Am I willing to work as hard as I need to to get them?

If I will work that hard, am I willing to accept that it still may not happen, even if I do everything right?

If I did get six-pack abs, what will that change in my life? What will flat abs actually do for me?

What would happen if I let go of this ideal and focused on other goals?

Accepting that your body works as a whole and not in pieces and parts is the first step towards releasing that ideal body that lurks in your mind and embracing the one you have now--belly flab and all. Maybe it's time to finally let that goal go and realize you aren't a failure for not reaching it.

Good Luck