Is your Six Pack Seasonal?

Have you ever looked at photos of your favorite Fitness, Figure and Bikini Athletes on stage and wondered what they look like in everyday life? Then you get the opportunity to meet them in person and you wouldn’t recognize them if they didn’t tell you who they were. In your mind you’re thinking, “What the heck happened to you?” Weeks and months after a competition, a photo shoot or a big event shouldn’t mean your body takes on a completely different persona. The six pack you’ve worked so hard to show off for one day can have staying power.

I’m not suggesting you stay at 10% bodyfat all year long. And it certainly can be challenging to maintain when hormonal fluctuations take a strong hold on everything from training to nutrition. But, there are things you can do for yourself to feel confident in a bikini or your favorite summer clothes regardless of whether it’s January or June.

The following tips will help keep your abs awesome all year long (in no particular order)
- Drink lots of water. It’s not just cliché. It really does help flush out toxins, curb hunger and get rid of unwanted bloating.
- Shop the perimeter of your grocery store. The closer your food is to a natural state, the better it is for you and keeping you lean. Processed, boxed and canned foods that line the aisles can be filled with a ton of sodium and other chemicals you probably can’t pronounce.
- Use visuals such as a dream board or other photos to help keep you motivated and on track.
- Attach a tangible, meaningful reason to your goal of having a six pack and staying lean. If there isn’t a focused direction for obtaining the look you want, then it’s easy to justify slip ups and get off course.
- Tell someone what you want to do. This will keep you accountable, not just to the person you confided in, but yourself as well.
- Surround yourself with like minded people. If you hang out with friends that share the same values and goals, you’re more likely to keep your progress going on a positive path.
- Track your progress in a variety of ways including measurements, bodyfat analysis and photos.
- Be prepared and organized. Bring your lunch bag with you everywhere. You’re a lot less likely to eat junk if you have your meals right by your side. It also saves you money on cheap, empty nutrition convenience food.
- Love yourself and keep a healthy mindset. The happier and healthier you are, the less likely you’ll binge eat or engage in emotional eating.

It may take trial and error and time to figure out the formula that works best for you. But, eventually you’ll find a way to train and eat that keeps you and your body where you want to be. The amazing aspect of reaching and maintaining your awesome abs all year long are the fringe benefits! You’ll look and feel great, have increased self confidence and will be better equipped to reach other goals you set for yourself because you know you can do it.

It’s not going to be easy. It’s going to take hard work, dedication and lots of self motivation. However, any healthy lifestyle habits you form always start out that way. Before you know, training with intensity and eating clean, nutritious packed food will just become a part of what you do each day.

Yours in health, fitness and fun,
Karma Schopp
NPC Figure Athlete, Personal Trainer, Nutrition Coach and Freelance Writer
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Email: karmaskorner@yahoo.com