What is the Abs Diet?

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

26 Apr 2006 10:30 AM

The Abs Diet was developed by David ZincZenko, the editor-in-chief of Men's Health Magazine. The program focuses on helping you achieve what you want the most: the lean, hard stomach.

To be honest, this is a diet and fitness program that appeals to my vanity. The worst areas of my body are located around my abdominal area. According to ZincZenko, survey after survey agrees that a lean, muscular abdomen is the ultimate symbol of sex appeal. Getting a flat, firm stomach is also proven in study after study to be one of the most significant steps to take in staying healthy for life. What I like about the Abs Diet is that while it offers a lot of motivation, a lot of inspiration and a guide to adjusting your diet to match this lifestyle as well as exercise to go with it, that it does not make a lot of false promises.

You will see changes within six weeks, but the program is designed to be followed as a lifestyle. The changes you are required to make are not hugely significant. But beyond that, there are no expensive supplements to be purchased and no severe deprivations to follow.

The diet portion encourages you to eat and offers you 12 staples to keep in your diet including steak and strawberries. (As a huge fan of fruit, I love the fruit and protein smoothies that you can make.) Your also encouraged to have at least one cheat day every week. That cheat day means you can eat whatever you want on that day.

The workout program is straightforward. 3 days a week minimum with exercises that will specifically target your abdominal muscles. The idea is simple, you are eating foods that encourage your body to burn fat while you are building muscles that require more calories.

I've been drinking the protein smoothies every morning for the last four days. They are good, they are not that expensive to make - in fact I had most of the supplies on hand and I only needed to buy some whey powder. The smoothies make great snacks, I'm not eating excessively, but my energy levels are higher and since I've got so much ice in the smoothies - I am increasing my water intake.

Starting May 2, I will be launching our Sizzling Summer Slim Down focusing on the Abs Diet and Fitness plan. I hope you'll join me for the initial six-week challenge. Unlike our Spring Forward to Action 30-Day Challenge, the workouts I post will be straight out of the Abs Diet program and I'll be offering recipes, meal suggestions and my experiences over in the Weight Loss Blog as well. Just keep an eye out for the Sizzling Summer Slim Down header!

Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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bluetree (2947) 26 Apr 2006 05:53 PM

I love this plan. It is simple and easy to understand. It foucses on good food you CAN eat. One big thing I did, based on reading this book is switch from regualr saod to diet. I did the eating portion only, without any of the exercise pieces and lost 15 pounds.

Heather Long (16954) 26 Apr 2006 07:19 PM

Now THAT's AWESOME! I've been doing the eating portion for a few days because he suggests doing that for a couple of weeks and I've already noticed a difference. Unlike other diets, I'm not missing foods -- if that makes any sense!