Abs, Abs, Abs!

Abs. Everyone wants them, but, unfortunately, not everyone has them. Have you been trying every crunch in the book, only to find little to no improvement in your midsection? That doesn't seem fair! You've been working hard and doing all the "right" things, but you are not getting the results you want! Here's a little info on what factors could be impacting your ability to get that 6 pack perfected:

1) Food choices: Certain foods cause water retention that will make your stomach look "puffy". Carbs, for example, can cause fluid retention, and so can heavily salted foods (including processed proteins). Also, if you overeat at a meal, the insulin spike will cause a subsequent edema, or swelling in your body. Foods that are high in potassium are excellent for flushing salt out of your system and banishing bloat. Such foods include, but are not limited to: bananas, asparagus, almonds.

2) Exercises: A common myth is that the only way to get abs is to do stomach exercises. Not true. While crunches, etc, are excellent ways to build strength and definition, your results will markedly improve if you include a variety of exercises in your workout.  Cardio, such as running, will cause a greater overall loss of fat throughout your entire body, and different weight-lifting/body exercises will indirectly engage your abs and tone them in ways that might have not been possible if you only did the same ab workouts repeatedly. Variety is key!

3) Sleep: Did you know that you produce melatonin when you sleep, and that melatonin works to regulate water retention? The more sleep you get, the more melatonin you produce, the less retention you will have. Not to mention the fact that if you are well rested, you will have more energy to exercise, and your appetite inducing/suppressing hormones will maintain healthy levels so you don't overeat or eat the "wrong" foods.

Wishing you all the best in your quest for lean, mean abs! And if you need some more ideas about how keep your tummy toned and trim, talk to Aurora--as you all know, ab work is her favorite :)

Here's a ab-friendly recipe for you to enjoy this week. Try it out!

MAPLE-GLAZED PLANK-BARBECUED SALMON

Ingredients

• 1 tbs orange zest
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• olive oil
• 2 x 170g salmon fillets

Method

1. Soak a cedar plank in water for at least 4 hours to prevent burning.

2. Preheat barbecue on high.

3. In a small bowl, mix together orange zest, maple syrup and vinegar.

4. Brush plank with olive oil and preheat on grill.

5. Rinse the salmon, pat dry with paper towel, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Place salmon on plank, skin side down.

6. Reduce heat to medium and close the hood. Cook for 8 minutes.

7. Baste with maple glaze, then cook until salmon flakes easily (4 to 7 minutes).

To yours in good health!

Dr. Abu
A. Baxter