If you're here I want to say congratulations because you already know 95% of the information you need to know in order to get a 6 pack.  Why do I say that? Because as much as we all don't want to hear it, a 6 pack is not a " I don't know how to get it "thing, it is a " I'm not willing to do what it takes " thing; AND for some it may also be a " It's going to take some time " thing.

Let's clear the air here.  I'm not here to sell you any fat burning crap pills, newly discovered exercise equipment, cheap DVD's or systems that don't work.  BUT Jimmie you're an Independent Beachbody coach don't you promote DVD's and nutrition systems? YES I DO. But these things aren't required to get 6 pack abs or the results you want. They're merely tools to help make life a little easier and FOR ME that's exactly WHAT I NEEDED.

So this is my gift to you, 3 simple rules I've learned over the past 2 years from experience and programs that have helped me get AND maintain my 6 pack.


1.  Count backwards
"Getting Abs" in my opinion is a bad statement, more correctly we should be saying "Seeing Abs." You already have abs but they're covered in belly fat. If you want to see them you need to remove body fat. Counting calories, tracking macros, fasting and dieting are all methods to get there but I've found they're all a pain in the ass and it's a hard method to sustain unless you're in some form of body building.

For me I count FATS, SUGARS and SODIUM. The idea here is to play these three categories like a game of golf, the lower your score the better.

Ohhh and another huge 6 pack killer is ALCOHOL. Have you been on my Facebook page, do you know me? You could make the argument that I drink and it doesn't seem to effect me. Well... I got the results first. It's easier to maintain a 6 pack rather then get one but believe me the first thing I cut out when I really want my abs to pop is alcohol.



2.  Sticking to what makes the biggest change
This is where I see people making the biggest mistakes. The truth is that some activities have a greater impact on a 6 pack then others. So isn't it reasonable to attack those activities with full force first? You wouldn't play $5 blackjack if you wanted to become a millionaire, you'd go to the high stakes tables.

NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) says.. "70% of your daily caloric burn comes from your RMR or Resting Metabolic Rate... and 20% comes from your workouts."

What does this mean? Well it means you need to keep working out but you can make much larger strides towards your goals if you can amp up what your RMR is burning. Body size, body composition and food intake are some of the factors of RMR that are changeable. This also why it seems that skinny people stay skinny and fat people stay fat.    

So, if you want to see your abs, build the muscle required to change your RMR. Muscle is your best friend and fats worst enemy, so build it. Get done the work that needs to be done first, then work on the finer details.


3.  Fast or Sloww AND everything is not always in moderation
Would you like results fast or sloww? The majority of people will say "I want fast results" but are you really willing to do what's necessary to get them? Most people aren't so they chose the sloww route but there's one thing you need to understand, slow is sloww.  It could be the difference between 3 weeks (like me) or 6 months.

In my opinion this is not an everything in moderation situation.  Getting results is much easier being consistent with good habits rather then trying to space out 'cheat meals' throughout the week. Do the required work for longer periods of time, get the results and then you can go back to 'everything in moderation.'

Find a partner, find a trainer, get motivated and do what's necessary to get the results you want. Sure that month or two may be hell but once you're there it'll be much easier to maintain and keep!


Conclusion
In my opinion you don't need fancy meal plans or insane workout plans but you do need to work hard. Lift weights and eat single ingredient clean foods (if you have to ask if they're clean or not they're NOT) and you will be on your way.

AND if you're like me and need more help and a system to follow, then find the time and money to spend on one that will get you there. The results you get will more then pay themselves off.

Disclaimer:  This blog IS NOT for the fitness models, body builders or athletes.  This is for the average person who wants above average results. Period.  This blog is also about transparency.  I'm not trying to sell anything or push any products.  Follow the rules below and you'll see results regardless of the tools or products you choose to use.   

I'd like to share with you the truth about getting the body you've always wanted but I'm going to warn you, you may not like the answer.  If you're anything like me you're tired of marketing ads telling you to take a magic pill or to buy this new scientifically proven piece of gym equipment that guarantees results or your money back.  I was tired too.

I bought the electroshock ab belt that turned into nothing more then a drinking game of who could crank it up to it's highest setting and keep it on the longest.  I bought into supplements because the guy/ girl selling them had a perfect physique that I too wanted.

At some point if you want serious long lasting and healthy results you have to finally give in to the truth.

Secret #1:  There is no secret.
There is no secret and you already know what to do.  I was chatting with a trainer/ gym owner once who told me he couldn't believe the number of his clients who paid for his services.  He told me he wasn't telling them anything they didn't already know and many times he would still have trouble getting them to do it. Here's the formula [WORKOUT + CLEAN NUTRITION + CONSISTENCY = RESULTS]  That's it.

(I don't want to dive into what 'clean nutrition' means since I have other blogs on that but basically if you have to question if it's healthy or not, it's not.)

If you want serious long lasting results you have to follow that formula.  Stop trying to look for shortcuts or magic supplements and as Nike says, 'just do it.'


Secret #2:  Stop cheating!
You are your own worst enemy when it comes to YOUR results (see cover image).

The fact is that trainers and nutritionists are with you for only an hour or two a day.  It's the time they're not with you where things go wrong.  You skip a workout because you're tired or you order a pizza because they're not around to give you that evil eye.  It comes down to willpower and choice, and we're given too much of both sometimes.

Stop doing research on what the latest celebrity did to transform themselves for a role.  Stop following these people in magazine ads and billboards advertising the latest juice, cleanse, or false promise.  Do exactly what you know you need to do and have known for a long time.  Workout and Eat Right.  It's so simple it's somehow become hard.

I used to get so caught up in ingredient lists, macro nutrient ratios, and other terms I can't even remember now.  The truth is if you're eating clean, those things don't really matter (please remember my disclaimer here.)  Stop doing research and get out and move, and when your done moving, eat your vegetables!   :)

Getting Results
Now that you've spent a few minutes reading what you've already known it's time to create a goal for yourself.  Maybe it's to loose a few pounds or maybe it's a complete transformation.  Either way remember secret #2 and DON'T CHEAT UNTIL YOU'VE REACHED YOUR GOAL.  This is probably the hardest part of the equation and you're probably going to have to give up some social outings, parties and events to complete this step.

I know how hard this is because I'm guilty of it too.  I'll have a great week, work out, eat right then Friday comes and I feel like having a drink or a cheat meal.  I'll say things like I had a good week I DESERVE it; or the opposite, I had a tough week I DESERVE it.   Or it's a holiday, or someone's birthday, or this event or that event either way I DESERVE it.  Here's another secret; stop always looking for a reason to cheat.  

Can someone please define DESERVE for me here?  Which part of your body DESERVES to be filled with crap?  Last time I checked your stomach, liver and kidneys (among others) don't like any of this stuff.  Even your bank account hates it when you go out for food and/or drinks.  Why do you DESERVE this food or drink, you haven't reached your goal yet?  So no you don't DESERVE it.  Reach your goal, then yes, you DESERVE it.

I know this approach may seem a little harsh but I truly want you to reach your goals.  In this day in age where time is priceless we want results and we want them fast.  Well like everything else that is worth while you're going to have to make some sacrifices.

Conclusion
I believe you're a smart person and know what needs to be done to get to your goals.  I think we've hid behind this wall of pretending not to know or getting a thousand opinions before ever doing something that we're actually believing it ourselves now. It's easier to claim not to know something then admit you actually do know and you're just not willing to put in the work.

Now it's up to you and how long you want to take to reach your goal?  You can set small goals, reach them, cheat a bit and get back on track (like most people) OR you can rip the band-aid right off and go in for the long haul of one, three, six or maybe even more months without cheating.

For me getting serious results is more of a scheduling issue and fighting off social events than anything else. If you fall into peer pressure easily try to stay away from major holidays and birthdays when scheduling your goals.  Find a partner who is willing to help you stay on track.  Also make sure when you have a goal you (for the time being) put it above some of your other priorities that can possibly throw you off track.  I've found it's much easier to maintain a fit body then achieve it so put in the work now as long as you need to to reach your goals.  Good luck!              

This blog post is a current reflection of my own actions, habits and lifestyle; good and bad.

While looking back at my own health & fitness goals I gotta say, I'm on a pretty good path.  At least much better than I was any of the years before now.  I have found a good routine of maintaining my health & fitness which has taken me years to achieve.  Still... currently I don't seem to be moving forwards and I'm not moving backwards.  I'm comfortable; and being comfortable for me isn't comfortable!

I must admit my biggest hurdle for taking my health & fitness to the next level is drinking.  I LOVE MY MARTINI'S and I'm having an issue cutting back on them.  Hell it's taken me a few years to perfect my martini recipe, why would I waste all that time spent?!?  Ohhh they're so good and if you ever come over I'll make one for ya!  I still have the occasional beer or two but for the most part I try to stay away from them after reading this article (http://foodbabe.com/2013/07/17/the-shocking-ingredients-in-beer/).

Now to be fair to my little liquid friend the martini, he's not the full culprit of this story.  It's the decisions I'll make after having one of two of these suckers, usually leading me into some kind of late night crap food fest. It's a sad snowball effect.  Not to mention all of the other side effects alcohol has to your body that we rarely think or know about.


That all being said, one of my goals is to etch off those last few percentages of body fat, and this liquid heaven isn't helping.  I must say I've made some huge strides over the years.  It used to be that I would have 2-3 beers a night justifying my actions by complaining about the stress of my job or life in general.  It was an easy 'out' and it seemed to work, although I know there are much healthier ways to de-stress!

Now I keep my 'partying' to Friday and Saturday nights.  I'm not saying that I don't sway from that every now and then but it's kind of the deal I've made with myself.  So here's the problem, I'm a numbers guy.  If I'm drinking 2 nights of the week that's nearly a third of my week!  What the hell?!? How come the week seems so long and the weekends so short, yet somehow 2 days is almost a third of my week???  It sure doesn't seem like a third of my week is 'weekend time.'

What's also hard is that I love going out with my friends!  If you know me personally or follow me on Facebook you know we do some really fun and unique things almost every weekend!  The problem is many of these events include or have alcohol and I fall into peer pressure far too easily.  Okay okay I'll admit that I'm sometimes even the instigator!

So here's what I've come up with... I've created this card to help me with my goals.  I figure I can keep my schedule of 2 nights a week 2 drinks per night but that's it!  If I want to go crazy one night, I have to sacrifice a full night.  But the best part of this card (at least for me) is I won't want to cross off all the little martini's.  It's now a game and each time I cross one off I'm losing.   Also by having a visualization of what I could be giving up by having my little martini's, I'm hoping that will be enough to keep me away.  I'll let you know who wins!




I challenge you to this, if you're having problems quitting a habit that is keeping you from your goals do the same.  Track it, learn about it, and then come up with a plan to correct it.  You may not always win but progress is progress no matter how small.  In my example I turned my strength of loving challenges against my weakness the martini.  Do the same yourself.              

I don't have all the answers, I just take it day by day.  I look at the progress my own health & fitness has made over the past years and all I can do is be proud.  I know I'm on the right course and maybe by writing about this it will give me the push I need to do even better.  But in the end everyone has to make their own decisions and choices on what they want and what's important to them.

If you're having similar issues what are they?  And how have you found ways to overcome them?