The above posts are good advice. I struggled with abs for quite some time, until I fully comprehended that visible abs have 2 parts:
- strong, developed muscles
- low(ish) bf %
Its also largely genetic (where your body deposits fat, size of abdominals, etc)
Unfortunately for me, this meant I was fucked because I tend to get a gut and/or lovehandles and dont have naturally defined abs.
These exercises have given me great results:
- do sets of decline sit ups holding a plate (45 lb) for the upper abs, do static holds
- hit some hanging vertical crunches or V-ups while holding up a weighted barbell and keeping my shoulders off the ground for lower abs
- cable side crunches
I also run a few miles daily, but i love to run so i dont see it as a chore.
Its amusing to me how often we hear about the importance of diet in your appearance, yet this information always seems to go in one ear and out the other. I wasted some time myself before i realized you are what you fucking eat! If you take a week or two off the gym and continue to eat healthy you probably wont lose much. After a week or two of drinking soda/beer, poor nutrition/low protein, not enough water, fast food, etc., you will probably start looking and feeling like shit
