6 Common Mistakes That Cost Your Six Packs: Are you having trouble getting ripped abs? Many fitness buffs want to get defined six-packs. Unfortunately, it feels like you are putting in a lot of effort but don’t get anything as a reward. Unlike other types of training, ab training is also difficult. However, with some tricks and tweaks, you can make a difference. Obtaining the desired 6 pack abs will become quite easier if we don’t make six common mistakes that cost your six-packs.
Well, before jumping into the article, let’s dig into the process of getting abs. To get a defined mid-section muscle (six-pack abs), you need to melt the fat that covers your abdominal or midsection muscles. We already have six-packs. All we need to do is just tone up the muscles by reducing the extra fat stored in the abdominal region.
The road to getting six-packs is often tough. It feels like performance pitfalls and nutrition nightmares. You have to be sure to make sure you don’t make the following mistakes that may cost you your six-pack abs.
You need to lose weight, which is the result of what we put in our mouths every day. This thought has recalled an old saying, “Abs are made in the kitchen.” It means that diet is very important in getting abs.
Let’s start.
Table of Contents
Six common Mistakes That Costs Your Six Packs
Ab Training
Abs training involves strength exercises. Doing crunches and sit-ups is an excellent exercise for abdominal strengthening, but it would not give you much-desired results if you have a poor diet. At this point, we want to talk about a common misconception called “spot reduction.” It is believed that you cannot reduce fat through exercise in a particular area or region of the body because it is genetic.
However, the expert believes that it can be controlled. Now, it doesn’t mean that you should eliminate ab training. You should include effective abdominal exercises in your routine. For example, doing sit-ups three times a week with five sets and 20 reps This will help to build stronger core muscles.
Dehydration
Dehydration is the second most common mistake people make. You are not drinking enough water daily. Working in an air-conditioned environment, exercising, and visiting outdoor places will reduce the water content, and you will likely experience dehydration. Dehydration leads to two main issues.
The first one is a slow recovery, and the next one is when your body is dehydrated, it will become difficult to figure out whether you are hungry or you need water. However, in most cases, dehydration is mistaken for hunger and results in overeating, which then leads to fat storage.
Type of Cardio and Cardio Time
Cardio time and cardio type are the two essential factors. There is no perfect time to do cardio exercises. Therefore, you need not worry about perfect timing. You don’t have to wake up at 4 a.m. to get six-pack abs. You can still achieve six packs if you do one hour of cardio before breakfast, one hour after a workout or in the evening, and one hour before going to bed.
The next question is: what type of cardio is best for six-pack abs? So, my friends, it solely depends on your preference. However, in my opinion, switching between high-intensity interval training and low-intensity steady training is a great option to combine two different types of cardio and avoid boredom.
You can try 30 seconds of sprinting on the treadmill at whatever speed you prefer, and follow that with 90 seconds of fast-paced walking eight times. This will give a boost to heart rate pumping and you will become closer to your six-packs.
Sleeplessness
Lack of sleep is the biggest hurdle in the process of getting abs. If you are not getting sufficient sleep, then the chances of getting six-pack abs are low. When you are on weight-loss diets, your body produces a hormone called cortisol. High cortisol is responsible for slow fat loss and makes you lose muscle fat. It even makes you moody.
In addition, dieting and lack of sleep raise cortisol levels, and it costs all of your hard work, from a weight loss diet to ab training. Hence, you should try to get enough sleep for at least six hours of mental and physical well-being and to achieve your fitness goals.
Misconceptions About Creatine Supplementation
There is a misconception that using creatine monohydrate supplements will hold fat and water and give you a puffy look. Well, tell me clearly that creatine supplementation will not hold fat or lead to a fuller body. However, creatine draws water from within the muscles to give you a more defined look.
At this point, a question arises: why should we take creatine when trying to get toned abs?
With creatine supplements, you will experience fast fat loss, and it is supported by many scientific studies. Therefore, your body needs a high-quality and pure creatine supplement from a reputed brand. It will offer power-enhancing strength and hydration. Consuming creatine supplements will be beneficial for adding powder and building lean muscles.
Using Light Weights
If you are seeking wonderful six-pack abs, then dropping the weight will lead to muscular atrophy, which means muscle loss. Like, if you are capable of doing 100 kg for eight reps, then going for 80 kg for 12 reps is not fair. Many men and women lose weight because they are switching to lightweights.
In simple words, backing off the stress will cause mass muscle loss, which is not good for your 6 packs. So, if you want to get more visible 6-packs, then you should have to build sizeable muscles.
Final Verdict
So, these are the six common mistakes that cost you your six-packs. Everyone has a different body, so some of the above-mentioned points may not apply to you. However, some might be helpful to you. Remember that you don’t need to be harsh on your body.
We know that getting six-packs is a complex process, but it is not impossible. All you need to get six-pack abs is dedication, a balanced diet, and comprehensive knowledge of what to do and how to perform core building exercises.
