Can You Have A Flat Stomach?

Yes You Can! n nThis past weekend UC Fitness conducted a seminar at For Sister's Only (FSO) called "Do Food Labels Lie." The answer was yes and no. Some lie, some don't and most are miss-leading! The secondary idea concerned how to have a flat stomach and how can you achieve one.n nFirst the disclaimer:n n25% of your body is determined by your genetics and 75% by your environment. If you've had multiple stomach surgeries, having a flat stomach will be very difficult. Also some medical conditions will make it more difficult to flatten your belly (ie Hyperthyroidism), but if you haven't been checked, you cannot claim it!n nThe first item to be covered in this article concerns abdominal exercise. You can do all the crunches in the world and buy the latest and greatest infomercial equipment and none of them will give you flat abs. I can't tell you how many people have come to me wondering why their abs are not flat and they ab exercises everyday. What I always show them is that they've built some great abs, but the great abs are hiding beneath the fat. Basically losing fat is the answer to how to have great abs. Drum roll please; the SECRET to burning belly fat is not in a pill nor is it in doing incredible amounts of cardio. The SECRET is in how, what and how often you EAT!n nHere's the second and final item of this article. How do I eat to have a flat stomach. I know some of you are saying shouldn't I do allot of cardio to burn fat? Two things. One, you'll burn more fat by lifting weight than doing cardio. Two, cardio builds very little muscle (even the weighted cardio classes)n nMuscle requires 25x the amount of calories to survive. To all the women, you will not bulk up unless you're taking steroids or a ton of certain supplements or you produce a huge amount of testosterone. n nSince leaving the USMC in 1998, I do a moderate amount of cardio (about 3 hrs per week). Next time you're in the gym, notice the women who are doing mostly cardio and then the women lifting weights. Then tell me which are soft and which are firm. IT'S THE WOMEN LIFTING WEIGHTS! The cardio instructors spend more time lifting weights than doing more cardio.n nFinally, what should your meals consist of to have a flat stomach?n n1. 4 oz of a lean protein (fish, chicken, turkey, beans, dairy and lean cuts of steak).n n2. 1 cup of a starchy carb (wheat pasta, wheat breads, brown rice, corn, nuts and red or sweet potatoes). Do not add brown sugar to to the sweet potatoes! You can not have more than one of these during a meal.n n3. 2-4 cups of a fibrous carb (all other fruits and veggies).n nBreakfast Sample: 2 eggs, 2 slices of turkey bacon, 1 slice of whole wheat toast, 1 apple, 1 grapefruit and 8 oz of watern nSnack Sample: 4 oz of sliced turkey, 1 cup of almonds, 1 orange, 1 cup of sliced peppers and 16 oz of watern nLunch or Dinner Sample: 4 oz baked fish, 1 cup of brown rice, 1 cup of carrots, 1 cup of broccoli, 1 apple and 8 oz of watern nYou must eat 5-6 six meals per day to have a flat stomach. This seems like allot of food, but your metabolism will increase and you'll lose FAT! My clients and members who have had the most success in the shortest amount of time eat this way!