The best way to carve awesome abs
Step #1 Reduce salt intake:
Seriously, this is probably one of the most important things to take care of if you want to look ripped. Salt retains water. Water makes you look bulky. (I am not endorsing you to stop drinking water, however).
Step #2 Avoid processed/fried foods:
Chips, almost any canned stuff, McDonald's burgers, fries all contain high amounts of salt plus french fries and puris (deep fried Indian flat bread) have ridiculous amounts of trans fats (read any bodybuilders/humans worst nightmare) and lets not even talk about sodas. They are the most messed up sugary syrup ever.
Step #3 Alcohol:
One peg of liquor is equal to 1 pint of beer is equal to a whole lot of calories. Restrict to weekends and make sure you compensate for the intake.
Cardio:
Cardio for at least 30 minutes 2-3 times a week is a must. If you hate to jog, then swim. But swimming cools the body temperature, so your body deposits a thin later of fat subcutaneously for insulation but still the overall benefits of swimming are way better than any cardio exercise, especially since it would not run your knee joints out!
Step #4 Crunches:
Anyone who does abs everyday is a mighty stupid. Twice a week is fine, just make sure you get your form right. Don't injure the lower back and make sure your hip is not fooling you into thinking your working out your abs.
Step #5 Breakfast:
If you like coffee with cream or milky tea, use skimmed milk, better yet use no sugar. Just one spoon of sugar everyday equals over 3 kilos of weight gain in a year (or use sugar substitutes, aspart, etc. ADA claims these are safe (up to 400 mg per day) but I am still sitting on the fence with that.
Dinner:
Light meal, packed with protein and vegetables should be taken at least 3 hours before bedtime.
Increase your growth hormone naturally
Another way to burn fat, gain lean muscles, and awesome abs is to increase your growth hormones naturally. I know it sounds difficult, but you can try. Instead of doing cardio at a heartbeat of 130-160 (ideal cardio) for 30 minutes, just go for fast running for 12 minutes or so 4 times a week. By fast running, I mean running as fast as you can. If you are using a treadmill, then your heartbeat should cross 200. This will increase your metabolism and growth hormones to some extent.
Avoid alcohol and avoid deep fried foods. These taste good but they are very bad for your health. Eat fresh juicy fruits, start doing cardio 2 times a week, hit that water and start swimming. Stop cycling excessively to stop hitting your joints.
