Are You Vain Because You Want Six Pack Abs?
It’s obvious that a big reason behind people’s desire for six-pack abs is because they want to look good! If you compare a flabby stomach to chiseled abdominals then there is no question as to which is more attractive.
But there are actually some other important reasons why we should want visible abdominals.
1. Studies now show that any excess body fat around our stomachs is bad for us
According to Charles Poliquin, you’re fat if you’re a man with a body fat percentage of over 10%, or a woman with a body fat percentage of over 15-20%. Now that is a controversial statement, no question about it! Poliquin is not a traditional nutritionist but to be honest I find his advice more useful than the generic advice I’ve heard for years from so-called ‘health experts’. Anyway that is getting besides the point, what I am saying is that scientists are starting to warn us that abdominal fat is not a good thing to be carry around!
2. The stronger our mid-section is, the less chance we have of injury
Abdominal muscles are used for stabilizing. This means we pretty much use them for any movement which requires considerable effort. Getting up off a chair, taking the groceries out of the car and into the house, picking heavy objects up off the floor – all these basic actions require our abs to stabilize us as we complete the movement (and this is without mentioning fitness exercises or sports). The stronger our abs are the better we are protecting ourselves against injury.
3. The stronger our mid-section is, the better our posture will be
Weak abs can be a cause for a rounded back. Having poor posture is looked down upon by almost all cultures. And sadly if poor posture is not properly corrected it can end up being irreversible. Our abdominal muscles play quite a big role in ensuring our posture is how it should be.
4. The stronger our mid-section is, the healthier we will be
This does tie in very closely to point 1, but I feel it is important to stress that visible abdominals (usually) indicate a healthy strong person. If such a person has to undergo a serious operation it is common knowledge that they stand a greater chance of faster fuller recovery the someone who is not as physically on top of things. Also, woman who are given birth, need to use their abdominal muscles, if they are continually exercised in the earlier stages of pregnancy many have stated that natural births are easier (of course you should always consult with your doctor first).
You see, the reason we find abs attractive is because they are a sign of health and strength. Training to improve the way our mid-section looks is beneficial for more than just aesthetic purposes.
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