I'm just curious. I don't understand why one cannot bulk while not overloading on the calorie intake. Why not just eat a healthy diet, with plenty of calories that are at an amount so they are not a big overload? 400 calories over the limit each day isn't going to stop someone from getting a six-pack right? Also, if you can't get a six-pack while bulking, then if you achieve a six-pack later would it go away by bulking up later? Regarding the OP's question, a good trainer told me the basics necessary to to get a six-ack. 1) Eat healthy*** 2) Do plenty of abs 3) Do cardio Eating healthy is the most important part. It is impossible to get a six-pack while eating unhealthy. Fried foods are one of the worst! I believe it is okay to deviate a little once a week or something, otherwise people would eventually quit their six-pack mission. Anyways, hope someone can answer my questions above. Thanks!
If you do not eat a large amount of calories it just takes longer to gain muscle mass. You will also limit the amount of muscle you can gain. Even not taking into account the difference in time required, the guy who bulks up while allowing himself to gain some bodyfat then cut down a little after the bulk, will get bigger than the guy trying to gain muscle with no fat gain. 6-pack is not about muscle gain though, it is all about low body fat. Skinny little twigs can have 6-packs.
To maximize muscle gains? Good, old-fashioned bulking. Keep protein high and consume more calories than you burn.
I agree with all the people who are saying eat clean and doing plenty of cardio and lifting but one important aspect that hasn't been mentioned. ****DO NOT EAT LATE AT NIGHT.**** This is kyrptonite to anybody looking to get in shape. Try to not eat anything 4 hours before bed and you'll see a noticeable difference in your ab region even after just 1 week. You'll know your doing it right when you wake up and your actually hungry. This is good because Breakfast is also the most important meal of the day.
<table border=0 bgcolor=D1D1FE cellpadding=3 cellspacing=1><tr bgcolor=black><td><table border=0 bgcolor=black><tr><td><td valign=middle><a target=_new href=http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=43490><img border=0 src=http://www.i-am-bored.com/art/icon_6a.gif width=25 height=25></a></td><td valign=middle><font size=2 face=verdana color=white><a target=_new href=http://www.i-am-bored.com/bored_link.cfm?link_id=43490><font color=D1D1FE><b>Man Films Results of 375 Days of Exercise [Vid]</b></font></a> Makes you want to put down the Cheetos and work out, doesn`t it?</font></td></tr></table></td></tr></table>
This is not true. It is a trick to get you to eat less. Of course if you cut out 4 hours of eating you will lose weight. It will cut calories. Just don't eat a ton of carbs before you sleep because you will feel uncomfortable trying to digest when laying down. An hour before laying down is fine. It is also OK to eat some protein shake before sleep, it is easy to digest.
i don't necessarily agree with this. if you're saying not to eat carbs - then absolutely. but i don't think going to bed hungry is all that good for you. i usually have a bowl of cottage cheese or a thick casein protein shake before bed - so that i'm not hungry throughout the night.
But what about my other question (open to everyone) "Also, if you can't get a six-pack while bulking, then if you achieve a six-pack later would it significantly go away by bulking up later?" And a 4 part question: 1) what does cutting entail? Obviously cardio but someone told me the elliptical is not really good. 2) Should one eat lower amount of calories than the amount needed by a normal active guy (2,800)? 3) Different types of food to eat? Such as eating a lot of salads? 4) Should one also keep lifting weights or is that a waste of time? Mainly focus energy on cardio and abs? Thanks.
just eat whatever you want, and work out. i only have a 4pack (but it's b/c i eat like crap) and do very little cardio (outside of basketball). however, i do weights 4x/week and in great shape. it would be great to have a 6 pack, but as long as my stomach is pretty toned, i'm good. and i get to eat WHATEVER i want
You basically proved my point. Cutting calories = losing weight= less fat= more chances of ab muscles showing. The OP asked how to get a six-pack.... and he says he has extra padding around the gut area. I don't care what exercises you do... if you don't burn more calories than you ingest or somehow cut useless calories that six-pack is gonna be hidden behind the padding. If by easy to digest you mean "the runs" I agree.
Sounds like your fitness is due more to your genetics than to your workout regimen. Most people aren't so lucky.
Losing weight can mean decrease in muscle but it ALWAYS means less fat. Tell me this.... How many fat people do you know that sport a six pack? Zip... none.. nada.. Now tell me this... how many skinny guys do you know that pretty much have a six-pack by default from not having excess fat? Quite a few... There's no such thing as carrying extra weight and having a six-pack. Having a six pack/ eight pack is the true definition of being lean and cut. You don't get lean and cut without shredding excess fat even if that means losing some muscle mass. Look at the worlds strongest man competitions... Those guys eat a ton and lift a ton and they're strong as F and have lots of muscle but it's rare to see them with a 6 pack cause most of them have excess fat as well.
It is seriously tempting to post a pic of my abs these days but I'm to tired to figure out how to post a pic.
