How I got 6 Pack Abs. My Proven Method!

(5 minute read)

Just kidding - now that I have your attention I’ll let you in on what this article is really about.

Sorry to disappoint, this article won’t actually be revealing a so-called proven method for attaining a six pack.

However, it will be deep diving into a discussion surrounding why six-packs aren’t all they appear to be and how they could be detrimental to your health.

Why am I keeping all my six-pack secrets to myself?

Because for most women who are not given the six-pack genetic prize, to get a six pack would usually involve undereating to a dangerously low body fat percentage which can result in the loss of your period, obsession and anxiety around food, risk of developing an eating disorder and mood/ mental health implications.

Contrary to perfectly curated Instagram feeds a six pack is NOT a normal or necessarily attainable goal. I know, who would of thought!

“Unless you have been blessed by the six-pack gods with the six-pack genes this is going to be a goal that leaves you worse for wear.”

Instagram and Six Packs

A side note here, a lot of the physiques/ photos you are viewing on Instagram are from a single photoshoot or period of time in which that person was at their leanest. A lot of bodybuilders and influencers DO NOT have those physiques all year round.

WHY?

Because having a six-pack or being that lean is unsustainable and quite often leads to cycles of binge eating and feelings of being out of control around food. These are common side effects of undereating and restriction.

On top of this, it’s common for those who do have visible abs, to have a abs in the morning and no visible abs in the evening. In the morning your stomach is empty, as you go through the day you fill it with food and liquid, your abs seem to disappear like magic. This is normal.

What’s not normal, is posting photos of yourself and implying you have visible abs 24/7 and 365 days of the year. It provides an unrealistic and unattainable representation of the human body.

Back to the facts

As women, we are supposed to (according to our biology) carry human beings inside us. For this to occur, we need to be of a certain body fat percentage. A fat percentage much higher than what having a six-pack requires.

Can you see the problem here?

I see two scenarios.

Scenario A - you can have a six-pack (if your genetics allow this), restrict your food, lose your period, feel out of control, lose your libido and risk mental health implications by fighting your genetics and biology.

OR

Scenario B - not have a six-pack, learn to live a values based life where you are generally happy and satisfied, can have children (if that’s what you desire), eat ALL foods, have copious amounts of energy to go dancing or climb a mountain AND enjoy spending time with your partner of choice.

I think this is definitely a tough decision. I mean abs and misery or no abs and satisfaction……

Of course it is not this simple. There is a reason there is a desire to attain that six-pack in the first place. It comes from an unmet need or insecurity. These insecurities, body image issues and low self-esteem will need to be addressed if you wish to let go of the desire and ‘need’ for that six-pack.

So how can you do that?

Start by exploring some questions around why you want a six-pack;

·         WHY do you really want abs?

·         What would having abs say about you?

·         What would it mean if you didn’t have abs or the perfect body?

·         How else could you meet this need?

Abs or no abs your life won’t change unless you do the internal work and improve your mindset around your body image.

“Changing your body EXTERNALLY may gain you some instant gratification, a couple of new followers on Instagram, comments from friends and family. But these instant gratification pieces are just that, instant. They will fade.”

And then what?

You’re left with a hole inside you just like before you did or didn’t have abs because you haven’t addressed the real issue here.

The issue being the WHY behind why you wanted the abs in the first place. This is usually linked to feelings of not being good enough, poor body image and feeling unlovable. Abs will not fix these issues.

Instead of focusing on external validation and external changes it’s time to do a focus shift. It’s time to do the hardest shift of all and start to look internally.

“External changes wont improve your happiness, it’s time to discover and uncover what it is INSIDE you that is hurting. What internal need is not being met?”

The bottom line is abs will not make you happier, more popular, more valuable, or feel more whole on the inside.

Unfortunately, it’s the unsexy hard work of feeling pain, figuring out why you feel hollow or lonely and doing the internal work that will help you overcome this desperate need to fight your body and mold it into something potentially unhealthy and harmful.

In Summary

Next time you think about going on a diet or doing that ‘12 week to the perfect six-pack of your life challenge’, ask yourself;

Will this six-pack really improve my quality of life?

What need is this six-pack trying to fulfil?

How else could meet this need?

If you enjoyed this blog post, why not checkout more fun facts, motivation and health tips over on my Instagram page or leave a comment below to let me know what you thought of this article.