Abs Diet

The Abs Diet is a book written by David Zinczenko - the editor for fitness magazine "Men's Health". The book is written in a style aimed at men, but the principles can be applied to anyone.

For many years most athletes, fitness models, and bodybuilders have applied the same basic fundamentals to their diet. Principles like eating often (5-6 times per day), building muscle, eating lean proteins, and aiming to eat whole unrefined carbs.

Sadly many dieters have failed to take note of these techniques, often believing that calorie restriction is the only way to lose weight.

Nothing New Here

Hidden under the gimmicky catch-phrases in the Abs Diet, you will find sensible and workable ideas for fat loss. The principles are not new, but simply repackaged for a different market. In fact the program is quite similar to Body For Life.

"Based on revolutionary new weight loss research... ...turn fat into muscle, sculpt your best physique, enjoy spectacular sex, and have more energy day after day..."

Calling the book The Abs Diet is clever. Having visible abdominal muscles is about attaining low levels of fat (we're talking quite low here - see article on abs) - rather than any magic diet, special exercise, or special piece of equipment. Attaining defined abs is difficult and challenging - but it sells, and many men now consider visible abs to be the pinnacle of a good body.

The Power Foods

The Abs diet contains a 7 day meal plan, made up of 12 'power foods', along with recipes. One meal per week is designated as a 'cheat' meal - where you eat anything you want. The book advises avoiding foods like fatty meats, processed/refined carbs, and high-sugar foods.

Exercise Component

Essential to the diet is the strength and interval training. This is based on the premise that building muscle increases metabolism which will assist in burning fat.

See a sample of the abs diet circuit training workout.

Do You Get A Flat Tummy?

This is what the author says in response to spot reducing:

"...you can't spot reduce per se. That's a myth. But if people lose weight - particularly if they're doing some moderate exercise at the same time - they'll lower their body fat and will likely notice that loss in their bellies since that's where most of the fat lives..."

Unfortunately this isn't quite true. Women, in particular, carry most of their fat deposits around the thighs and hips. Also, belly fat can quite often be the last place that fat disappears from. However the book does is aimed at men which may explain the authors comments.

Good Program - Nothing New

The Abs Diet pretends to be something new. However, it is simply a basic guide to strength training, good nutrition, and exercise. It does provide good sensible nutritional advice, but we feel there are better choices out there.

In our opinion Tom Venuto's Burn The Fat Feed The Muscle is superior to the Abs Diet - telling the full truth - and catering for all types of people. Also in a similar vein is the Body For Life program.

See the Abs Diet Online...