Wednesday, April 4, 2012

40 with a 6 pack???

I know most 40 year olds think of 6 packs having to do with beer, but that is not what I am talking about. I am talking about this old guy rockin a 6 pack. Is it doable? I don't know, but I don't know why it wouldn't be possible! Soooo, like I said in my last post, April is going to have an extra focus on abs!  The old abba dabbas! (Remember Body by Jake)


I have committed to adding an ab/core workout every other day to my triathlon training in the month of April. This is going to consist of the P90X Ab Ripper X, the Perfect Ab Workout (which is basically hanging leg raises) and some of the ab workouts that can be found on http://www.bodyrocktv.com/.  So I will be mixing up these three workouts in hopes of toning up the old abba dabbas!


Ab Ropper X, Hanging leg raises and BodyRockTV.com

But not so fast my friend, this is not the first time I have had this goal in mind. I think everyone has this grand idea on January 1, or when Spring Break is coming, or when we are going to the beach this summer!  All worthy reasons for wanting to lose the gut (it's not so much a gut right now either, let me be clear), but I have never achieved 6 pack status. So why will this be any different you may ask?


So, what am I going to do differently? I am going to focus on my diet as well this time and I am going to add these other 5 steps that I found on Livestrong.com. I have never focused on all of these things at once before. I always just started trying to bust out crunches, but I have a new plan, and I am going to lay it out right before your very eyes.

Step 1: Clean up my diet. Easier said than done I will tell you right now. According to Livestrong.com, all I need to do is avoid deep fried foods, processed foods, refined foods and foods high in saturated fats. Instead, eat foods that are nutrient-dense, high in fiber and low in fat, such as lean meats, low fat dairy, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts and legumes.

Step 2: Get rid of liquid calories. Easier said than done my friends! I need to eliminate useless calories in the form of heavily sugared beverages such as cokes, sweetened teas and coffee. Instead, drink water, as it hydrates the body and has zero calories. This may be the easiest of them all actually.

Step 3: Work your ab muscles. Instead of just working the upper abs, do exercises that focus on the whole core in order to promote symmetry. As long as symmetry means my wife can do our laundry on my abs, then I'm down Livestrong.com, I am down!

Step 4: Cardio! Engage in cardiovascular training. If you intend on seeing your six pack after one month, you'll have to incorporate cardiovascular training to burn the layer of fat that covers your ab muscles. I think I have this covered.

Step 5: Get enough sleep. AMEN!  More sleep, yes!

So I know many of you are thinking that this post is worthless without pictures, and there might be some at the end of April if it works.

P.S. I started Monday night with the AB Ripper X DVD, and Holy Catfish I am hurting today, so that means it is working right? or it means I have a hernia!

19 comments:

  1. We've been slacking on our AbRipperX workouts, but they do make you feel like you did something = 349 to be exact. Definitely a worthy goal. I also like some of the ab moves on Self.com (they have a no-crunch ab workout that is all about core) and I've burned from some pilates dvd moves too. Just not my main focus right now, but I'm still working on building up my cardio fitness.

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    1. I will have to check that site out! I like the no crunch ab workout.

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  2. Ab Ripper X freaking hurts. Back in 2009 after 2 rounds of P90X I had a decent six-pack. It was hard earned but slowly deteriorated after my workouts became all s/b/r. I've tried to add Ab Ripper X back into the training but am usually too damn tired to get it done - especially during IM training!

    Good luck fitting it in!

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    1. Yeah, you're right, Screw it! NOT!!! I am determined Young Buck! I was planning on doins something to tonihgt, but Holy butter I am still sore!

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  3. sounds like a great plan! I really want a six pack too....I do everything right - except the eating. I've got to get better or I'll always have abs......under fat :( booo. I can't wait to see how it goes.

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    1. Yeah, the diet will be harder for me than the exercises! But I am committed to watching my diet for April, then I am hoping that will carry over through May and so on...

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  4. Diet is key. If you are training for SBR consistently, the abs are already there.
    I was sooo close to uncovering them a couple years back. Now? Not so close. I should join in with you to see if I can get back there again. 42 is a good age to finally get a 6 pack.

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    1. 42 with a sixer would be impressive! Let's do it!

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  5. I'll go in with you on it. I've already cleaned up my diet pretty well, but will work on eliminating the processed and refined stuff. Also you know another zero calorie drink, unsweet tea with lemon, a life saver. And I've watched that bodyrock stuff and while the ab workouts are unreal, c'mon who you fooling, thats not why you're watching...hahaha

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    1. I was with you about hte unsweet tea and everything but when you started talking about BodyRock, then I have no idea what you are talking about (wink wink)!

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  6. Of course not! But in all seriousness that little gal is crazy, she will kick your butt with those workouts.

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  7. Ha, every time I think about going for six pack abs I think of this Peyton Manning commercial http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGmX6m78zDM :-). I'd love to get some abs at 46 but don't really want to give up beer :-).

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    1. That is the only time I like Manning, was SNL skits or those commercials!

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  8. Glad to see you are considering changing up the diet and drink menu. Fuel choices are very important to performance and overall health. I would suggest one thing for the list of healthy foods you provided, reverse the order of the list and eat less of each as you go down the list. Meat and dairy should be the least consumed of your daily foods. So make the list look like this: Legumes, nuts, seeds, vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low fat dairy, and then lean meats.

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    1. Sounds like you are trying to turn me into a grazer! I would find it very hard to pass up a steak!

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    2. No need to pass up the steak. Instead of a 20 oz ribeye, eat a smaller portion of a leaner cut like sirloin then go heavy on veggies, brown rice and beans.

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