The Abs Diet

Dave Zinczenko, author of "The Abs Diet Get Fit, Stay Fit Plan," said that people needed to be more realistic about weight loss. The process is not as daunting as everyone thinks. Three or four times a week at the gym is all it takes.

If people don't have time for that, they can do physical chores, like snow shoveling, which will burn 100 calories in 10 minutes to 15 minutes, compared to 20 minutes to 30 minutes of aerobics. People can also climb stairs rather than take the elevator. Taking the stairs is more efficient than working out on the StairMaster, Zinczenko said.

But that raises the question: How do you flatten the abs? The average man's waist is nearly 39 inches around. The average woman's, nearly 34.

"You're going to end up losing weight everywhere from your entire body," he said. "It just so happens that most people carry weight on their stomachs. Strengthening your core isn't a vanity thing. It reduces aches and pains in the rest of the body so you can work out more efficiently."

Zinczenko said there were some simple, often neglected exercises that strengthened the abs.

"The plank or the bridge, as it's also called, is better than sit-ups," he said. "It works your abs and back. Get down on the ground like in a push-up position, but on your elbows. Hold for 30 to 60 seconds."

Zinczenko also recommended squats, which work more than 250 muscles.

Interval training will burn more calories than 30 minutes of steady cardio.

"Interval training works both the aerobic and anaerobic systems of the body," Zinczenko said. "This means that you will continue to burn calories at a higher rate after you have finished exercising."

It you make the time, Zinczenko said, you should see results in six weeks to nine weeks.

"Guys usually have to get to about 12 percent body fat to see their abs," he said. "Women can see them between 14 [percent] and 18 percent body fat."

In addition to exercise, Zinczenko said the key to toned abs was diet. "Abs are made in the kitchen."

Most importantly, both men and women say sexy abs are their No. 1 turn-on. And men who work out three times a week have 30 percent more sex. In general, exercise makes sex better, Zinczenko said.

"So if nothing else, that should get people inspired," he said.

Quote of the Day!

We are indeed much more than what we eat,

but what we eat can nevertheless

help us to be much more than what we are!

~~Adelle Davis~~

Killer Biscuits!

Linda Burnett, 23, a resident of San Diego, was visiting her in-laws and
while she was there she went out to a nearby supermarket to pick up some
groceries.

Several people noticed her sitting in her car with the windows rolled up
and with her eyes closed, with both hands behind the back of her head.

One customer who had been at the store for a while became concerned and
walked over to the car. He noticed that Linda's eyes were now open, and
she looked very strange. He asked her if she was okay, and Linda replied
that she'd been shot in the back of the head, and had been holding her
brains in for over an hour.

The man called the paramedics, who broke into the car because the doors
were locked and Linda refused to remove her hands from her head.

When they finally got in, they found that Linda had a wad of bread dough
on the back of her head. A Pillsbury biscuit canister had exploded from
the heat, making a loud noise that sounded like a gunshot, and the wad
of dough hit her in the back of her head. When she reached back to find
out what it was, she felt the dough and thought it was her brains. She
initially passed out, but quickly recovered and tried to hold her brains
in for over an hour until someone noticed and came to her aid.

Linda is a blonde, but I'm certain that's not relevant.