If getting a flat stomach or abs is on your weight goals list, you may have thought about how they both differentiate. And how can you achieve one of those without having the other?
This short answer may clear some of your doubts: having abs means forming an outline or shape of abdominal muscles. On the other end, with a flat stomach, there will be no lines or outlines of muscles but a plain flat belly.
Having abs or a flat stomach depends on what diet chart you follow, and what exercise you do. It’s also possible to have a flat stomach and abs at the same time.
There’s a lot more to know about achieving any of these and this article has a mini helpful guide that would help you get closer to your goals.
So, let’s get into it…
Abs – All You Need To Know About
Having abs is one part of the story, whereas how many abs you can have is another. The abs one can have varies from 2 to 10.
If you say abs are genetic, it wouldn’t be wrong. That is the prime reason why some people have to put in less effort to achieve them than others. Beyond that, whether it’s in your genes or not, you can build them anyway.
These are the points that play a huge part in developing abs:
- The first thing that decides if your abs will be visible or not is fat distribution. In some cases, the fat goes to other parts of the body. While in some, it goes to the abdomen area.
- With abdomen fat, it gets really hard to maintain your weight and make your abs visible.
- If you’re born with, let’s say 4 abs (short for abdominal muscles), it’ll be hard or impossible to build 6 or 8 abs.
How Can You Build Abs?
Different body weight movements come in handy in case you’re looking for ways to maintain your weight. For instance, you can try leg raises or crunches. Additionally, you need to redesign your nutrition as what you eat has a direct impact on your muscles and abs.
Exercise
The following exercises will be your go o if you want to develop your muscle game and specially abdominal muscles aka abs.
- Chair sit-ups
- Crunches (Side crunch/Bicycle crunch)
- Lying leg raises
- Jumping jacks
- Leg pushes
What Should You Eat
- Eggs
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- White meat
- Brown meat
- Dairy items
- Seeds
- Beans
What Should You Avoid
- Sugar
- Sugar loaded drinks
- Oily food
Water
Drinking water can also help you burn fat. Slightly warm or room temperature water would boost metabolism even faster.
When you exercise, your body loses water, therefore you need to keep sipping on it to stay hydrated.
This way you can make your lines visible and give them a box shape. If you already have abs, doing this will make your cuts more apparent. Moreover, your body fat percentage will be increased in those particular areas.
How To Get A Flat Stomach?
Honestly, there’s no shortcut to getting a flat stomach. So, you should never fall for any get-slim quick solutions such as weight loss supplements.
Instead, you should create a healthy lifestyle that includes exercise, healthy eating, and avoiding greasy and sugary food. Moreover, consistency is the key here. Any diet or exercise regime for a short period of time won’t benefit you in the long run. Instead, it is a lifelong process that is slow, gradual but rewarding nonetheless.
A roadmap that may help you:
A reduced caloric content |
Proper sleeping and waking up schedule |
Maintaining a balanced diet |
Less carbs |
Go for a stroll Avoid packaged food |
Consume plenty of water |
Include green tea |
Lastly, make sure to check the labels before adding any food to your diet. It will help you keep your calories in balance. Also, you’d know if the ingredients you’re consuming aren’t harmful.
Is It Possible To Get A Flat Stomach Without Having Abs?
Yes, you can get a flat stomach without having abs. Crunches and sit-ups are what make your abs visible. So, when you just want a belly that is flat without any visible abdominal muscles you shouldn’t include these two in your physical activities of losing weight. Instead, you should focus more on jogging and running. It’s also important to note that cardio doesn’t promote abs growth, rather it is the core and strength exercises mentioned above which develop abs.
In order to achieve a flat belly you should cut down at least 500 calories from your daily caloric needs. Some individuals don’t eat at all which makes the situation worse. Keep in mind you can lose weight with consistency but its not an overnight happening with a magical wand.
What Makes Stomach Look Fat Despite Having Flat Belly?
Sometimes, your stomach isn’t flat even though you have a flat belly. There are two main reasons why this happens.
- Firstly, bloating can cause gas trapped in your abdomen which makes your belly round.
- Secondly, it’s visceral fat that’s the culprit. In that situation, you should look over your caloric intake.
Now the question is: how can you get rid of both of these.
Visceral Fat
This fat can be inside the abdomen of a person even with a flat belly. It can be really dangerous sometimes as it causes heart problems and types 2 diabetes.
Eating a balanced diet with no sugar and energy drinks may help reduce this fat. It’s always better to consult a health specialist.
Solution For Bloating
Feeling pain in the abdomen can be a cause of bloating. Your stomach will also feel like a pregnant woman’s. However, you can do the following to get rid of it.
- Exercise
- Water consumption
- Eating smaller portions
Conclusion
There is a big difference between having abs and having a flat stomach. If you’ve got abs in your genes, it’s not easier to get rid of them. On the other hand, you will have to work hard to make your outlines visible if abs aren’t ingrained in your genes.
In order to get a flat stomach, you need to reconsider your diet and add walking and jogging to your routine. In the end, both abs and a flat stomach require different diets, workouts and most importantly consistency.
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