Why Six Pack abs are bad!

 

Whether you are flipping through a magazine or the channels on TV, it seems that everywhere you look people are flaunting their six-pack abs. So while it is rather natural for you too to want a defined midriff that is worth showing off, are they really worth the trouble?

Just Not Worth it :(

What most people do not realize is that getting six-pack abs requires an unnaturally low body fat percentage, which is what makes those ripped muscles show. To achieve such a low body fat percentage, one needs to follow strict diet and workout routine. That means hours on end spent at the gym, along with a virtually non-existent social life – because eating or drinking out is a strict no-no. But that’s not the worst thing; in reality, a healthy body fat percentage is vital for good health. Fat in the body is responsible for many important functions like temperature regulation, cushioning vital organs, maintaining hormone levels and the production of enzymes. Without adequate fat levels in the body, you could be asking for more trouble.

The Ugly Truth About Six Pack Abs

To attain six-pack abs, one needs to have less than 10% body fat. However, for a healthy body, doctors recommend no lesser than 10-15% body fat for men and 16-20% body fat for women. Lower fat levels in the body can have adverse effects on your body including:

• Reduced bladder control
• Irregular bowel function
• Hormone imbalance
• Weaker immune system
• Muscle aches and pains
• Inadequate cushioning around joints and organs, which increases the risk of injury
• Increased fatigue, tiredness and mood swings

The Take Away

In all earnestness, no matter how great six-pack abs may look on the models you see on the billboards, they just aren’t worth it, and you can never be sure that they’re not airbrushed anyway. It’s best to aim for a flat stomach from healthy living rather than going to extremes that do your body much more harm than good.