For many of us, the ultimate physique would not be complete with a defined six pack set of abs. Many people consider a six pack to be synonymous with an aesthetically pleasing physique, and who are we to argue? Abs for many of us are very desirable, but obtaining them is not easy. Not only will you need to train your abs regularly as you would any other muscle group, you also need to ensure that you lose enough body fat covering the abs so as to reveal them in all their glory. Diet plays an integral role in the facilitation of fat loss, which is why we’re now going to take a look at several diet mistakes to avoid if you want a set of six pack abs.

Not eating enough protein

When it comes to building a six pack to be proud of, the thing to remember is that you are looking to build up your abdominal muscles. Just like any other muscle in the body, if you want to make them bigger and more defined, they need to be built up. Protein is essential for muscle growth and repair, and if you aren’t eating enough protein, your muscles will not grow to the best of their abilities, and yes, this includes your abs. Aim for around 1g of protein per pound of body weight.

Starving yourself

Far too many people think that the answer to fat loss is starvation, and then they wonder why they end up with what many people call a ‘skinny-fat’ physique. It is true that you need to create a caloric deficit in order to lose weight, but if you starve yourself and skip meals, you’ll find that your metabolism slows down and you’ll burn off fewer calories and have less energy. This means that you’ll find it harder to lose weight, and if you’re lacking energy your workouts will suffer and you’ll not have the energy to train.

Avoiding fat

Fat doesn’t make you fat, eating too much fat makes you fat. By that logic however, eating too many carbs or too much protein will also make you fat. Weight gain simply comes down to calories in versus calories out. Healthy fats are extremely beneficial for people looking to lose weight and tone up their abs. Healthy fats help to regulate hormone levels, they help you to absorb fat-soluble vitamins and nutrients, they boost brain health and power, they boost the metabolism, and they’re great for the heart. Fat can therefore help to get you leaner and healthier, which is very beneficial for anybody after a six pack.

Make yourself miserable

Dieting and losing weight is generally not fun. Eating a healthy meal is probably not going to be as tasty as a greasy fast food meal but the end results will still be worth it. With that said, if you’re making yourself miserable when dieting you’re setting yourself up for a fall. If you’re hungry and miserable you’ll be more likely to binge eat, plus your motivation will drop and you’ll find yourself feeling stressed. Find a way of dieting and eating healthily that helps to keep your spirits high.