Six-pack abs: Everybody wants the tightly-defined bikini-ready stomach. But do you know how to get your stomach in shape?

That's Fit recently caught up with fitness expert, AOL Health contributor and That's Fit columnist Myatt Murphy, a certified strength and conditioning specialist, and author of seveal best-selling fitness books, including "The Body You Want in the Time You Have" and "Ultimate Dumbbell Guide," who was able to shed some light on six-pack abs.

That's Fit: What exactly are six-pack abs?
Myatt Murphy: When you're talking about developing a classic six-pack stomach, what people are referring to is being able to see their rectus abdominus. What most people aren't aware of is that this stomach muscle is actually one, long sheet of muscle, not six different smaller muscles. What gives you that "six-pack" look are a series of tendons that criss-cross over the top to help protect and stabilize it. That one lesson is important to know because it can help you understand the right way to train this muscle.

TF: What, traditionally, has been the best way to achieve the defined look?
MM: Thanks to the fitness product industry, most people believe the key is doing certain ab exercises. The truth is, abdominal exercises will certainly help you strengthen and build your muscles, but they aren't that efficient at burning off the fat that covers most peoples' abs. The most important -- and unfortunately -- most overlooked-step is watching your diet and regular aerobic exercise.

TF: How much of achieving six-pack abs is based on diet and exercise versus gender and genetics?
MM: That depends on the individual. Some people are gifted with genetics that allow them to eat anything, avoid exercise and never displace much stored fat in their midsections. Others can be lean all over, but the first place they deposit fat is in their middle.

Your best bet is to follow all the steps towards achieving a leaner, tighter midsection and see what genetics has blessed you with. How prominent your six-pack will look after you've dieted and exercised enough will depend on your body shape, the size and length of the tendons that cover over your rectus abdominus and other genetic factors. But even if you never see a full "six" (some people only show a "four-pack"), being leaner around your middle and having a stronger midsection not only looks great, it'll keep you healthier and less prone to injury down the road.

TF: How quickly can you really expect to see results?
MM: It depends on your dedication. The fastest way to get a lean, muscular midsection is adhering to a strict diet, engaging in regular aerobic activity and performing exercises that shape and strengthen your abdominal muscles (so they look more prominent once the fat comes off). I've seen men and women who were able to achieve success in a matter of three or four weeks, while others have struggled for months. It is entirely up to you.

TF: What are the best exercises you can do to achieve six-pack abs and how often do you have to do them before you'll see results?
MM: There are countless exercises for your midsection, but two great rules of thumb are to make a point of training them every day, and to perform at least one exercise that trains your midsection from three different motions -- like a crunch, hanging knee raise and twists to work your obliques (otherwise known as "love handles").

One classic exercise that accomplishes all three in one is the bicycle crunch: Lie on your back with your legs straight and your feet raised an inch off the floor. Your hands should rest lightly behind your ears. To start the exercise, draw your left knee up toward your abs as you simultaneously curl your head and shoulders off the floor. Twist at the waist and try to touch your right elbow to your left knee. Lower yourself back down to the floor and repeat, this time curling your right knee up and trying to touch it to your left elbow. Alternate from left to right throughout the exercise and try to do as many repetitions as you can.

TF: Is it ever too late to try and get six-pack abs?
MM: Never. Every day you decide it's too late is just another day closer you could have been to having that six-pack stomach.

Check out these moves from That's Fit for more tips on getting ripped abs.

A whittled middle is one of the most sought after status symbols of the day. A great majority of people would trade much of what they have to be in incredible shape, but fortunately, you don't have to.

Earning a killer body with a flat belly doesn't need to be expensive. My favorite part of my recently published book, "The Everything Flat Belly Cookbook" is that it doesn't require readers spend a ton of money to achieve tremendous results. In fact, a lifestyle geared towards becoming leaner should save you tons instead.

Produce is often less expensive than processed foods. Compare bananas at $.59 a pound verus Cheez-It crackers at $4.19 for a 11.5 ounce box. The caloric and nutritional benefits of fruits and veggies also far outweigh that of snack crackers. Annual savings for buying one pound of bananas instead of Cheez-It crackers per week: $187.20.

Alcohol is ridiculously expensive and horrible on your belly. A Margarita can cost you nine bucks and 800 calories per glass. What a rip! Annual savings for ditching one margarita per week: $468.

Lean cuts of meat have less fat and fewer calories and much less of a price tag.

• Prime Rib, 10 oz: Calories, 830 and Fat Grams, 55 -- Price: $19.99
• Choice Sirloin, 10 oz: Calories, 509 and Fat Grams, 28 -- Price: $15.99

Annual savings for buying sirloin instead of prime rib: $208.

We know that human celebs are somewhat obsessed with slimming down. It's part of the Hollywood scene, they say. Now, it seems the trim-down trend is catching on with Muppet celebs too.

The one and only Miss Piggy was spotted on "The View" on Thursday looking, well, less piggish. I guess Muppets are not immune to the pressures of fame and it was only a matter of time before the Diva herself caved and went all skinny on us. Well, she's not exactly skeletal. She's just leaner than she once was.

Sources are not naming the star's secret diet weapon, but Miss Piggy has been caught on video working out. Well, sort of. And "People" magazine has some before and after shots for your viewing pleasure. Tell us what you think -- is the pig less plump or what?

Source

I'm a big fan of Mexican food, but not a fan of all the fat that usually goes along with it. That doesn't hold me back from enjoying it whenever I want, though. I just order or make each dish in a much smarter and healthier way.

Homemade Tortilla Chips are a staple item and the great news is, they're painfully easy to make. I whip up a batch quickly and serve them with salsa (which is naturally nonfat) or my Fat Free Mexican O-Layered Dip.

Both recipes are available in my online recipe book at Fitzness.com, and I hope you'll give them a try. Other fun toppings to add to your chips are lean grilled meat, veggies, low fat or nonfat cheeses and sour cream.

Just like any other style of cooking, whenever you ditch the oil, butter and fatty sauces ... you'll end up with a much healthier meal. Ole!

Source

Okay, does anyone else get superbly annoyed with celebrities who say they don't do much to stay fit? You know what I mean -- the ladies who swear they stay slim just by playing with their kids, or the guys who insist they bulked up and got ripped by eating donuts for breakfast and cheeseburgers for dinner. There has to be more to it than that, right? For Hugh Jackman, there definitely is.

The current Sexiest Man Alive works hard in the gym, to be sure -- even his trainer, Gunnar Peterson attests to it. But, the dedication and discipline doesn't end when he completes his workout. "It's all about eating," says Jackman. "I get up at 4 am and eat egg whites, then every three hours after that. I have a combination of protein or steamed vegetables and brown rice. Then after midday, no rice or carbohydrates. It's just vegetables and meat or fish." He admits that he has treats, like a beer or dark chocolate, but just once in a while.

Now, for those of you thinking you can get your body in shape like this by following Jackman's diet and exercise routine for a few months, think again. The studly star says, "I started training intenstively in the gym two years ago to get into the right shape for X-Men Origins ... I train for an hour and a half a day, five days a week -- weights, treadmill, rowing, everything. Then I do what my trainer calls 'a play session' on the sixth, which previously would have killed me in itself."

Looking for something a little less intense that will still give you results? Jump on board with America Takes It Off -- just click on the badge below!

Source

If you're a fan of Batman, or simply would like to have the same rippling abdominals the Batsuit provides ... check out this video and then try it at home.

For more innovative training videos, studded with stars ...

Source

As your fancy online fitness trainer, the ability to teach through video is an invaluable tool. The written word is wonderful for so many things but actually showing you and communicating eye-to-eye via the amazing graces of THE PODCAST has allowed me to truly show you how and why you should try some of my favorite training techniques. Let's take a look back at a reminder of all the cool ways you can take your fitness training to a higher level.

#1 Innovative Push-ups with Emphasis on Your Abs

Source

There are some cheap foods out there. It's tempting to buy them when cash is tight, isn't it? Not necessary. Good Housekeeping readers share in the November issue their ideas for living lean with the wallet and the waistline in mind.

• Order online. Peapod online grocery-delivery service is a great way to stock up on goods and view them before checking out (just to make sure you're getting only what you need and only what's good for you). Peapod accepts coupons too.
• Go veggie. Make fun, meatless meals with fresh and healthy ingredients.
  
• Drink from the tap. Get your water free from the tap instead of buying the bottled stuff.
• Order from the kids menu. Cheaper prices and smaller portions. Just pick the grilled chicken with broccoli, not the nuggets and fries.
• Take it slow. Forget the fast food. Use your slow cooker. Try a cheaper cut of meat and let is simmer all day.
• Switch grocery chains. Some are cheaper than others. Do your research.
• Get with the program. The Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, that is. Organic vegetables will show up right at your door.

Do you squirm, fiddle, twitch, and jiggle? If so, keep it up -- it might help you lose weight. If you're already lean, fidgeting can help you maintain your size and shape.

Apparently, small physical activities, like shifting positions, can help you lose weight. And consider this: Lean people who don't exercise tend to move around for two and a half more hours per day than overweight folks. This extra motion burns a bonus 350 daily calories, which can add up to 30 or 40 lost pounds in a year.

Think there's any truth to this theory? I don't. I move all day long, can't even remember when I last put my feet up during the day, and I've yet to see such a dramatic yearly weight loss. But let's call it possible and consider this good news for kids who can't sit still. And for the parents of these kiddos too. Next time your little ones are driving you nutty with motion, don't reprimand them -- join them.

Source

The treadmill is a great tool for walking and jogging, but have you ever tried to use it for anything else? (Besides drying clothes on it.) You might be surprised to learn about all of the things you can do on a treadmill to get a tremendous upper body and abdominal workout. Check out this video of my wicked workout partner Anthony Field of The Wiggles and me as we take your training to the next level.

This type of innovative training is so fun and effective, it may just get you past working out because you "have to" and take you to working out because you "want to." Those are two completely different things. For more cool videos, recipes and other fun fit tips ...

Source

Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answers. Our ThatsFit.com fitness expert -- and now your own virtual personal trainer -- will help you get fit, increase your overall health and do it in a fun way. Drop your questions here in the Comments section below and we'll choose one per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.

Q. Hi Fitz, I just bought a fairly fitted dress for a party this weekend and am desperate to avoid a poochy tummy. I'm in pretty good shape but often get bloated. I can not wear this dress if I'm bloated. Help! Andrea

A. Hi Andrea, Bloating is a bummer, but I can definitely help you avoid it. You're just going to have to be smart about what you eat and drink for the few days prior to your event.

Source

Ever wonder why you can't be "the one" who looks and feels great? Why aren't you the guy or gal people are desperate to be like? Want to change your life? I've got your answer right here.

To learn a quick and easy way to prep veggies, grab some fancy yoga tips, and find out what the ten things a wellness chef would never eat if you paid her are ...

Source

Take your push-ups to the next level and add an awesome abdominal workout to them as well. Fitz and her handsome crew demonstrate a few cool moves to take your training up a notch.

To view more fun videos, recipes and other quick tips from degree experts on health and fitness ...

Today is the big day. The day when I can officially shout from the rooftops, or at least from my laptop: "I love my abs!" I'm in the midst of writing my new cookbook, The Everything Flat Abs Cookbook, and I had to prepare for a photo shoot of, yes, my abs. I worked my tail off, ate with great discipline, and now I have proof of my efforts.

I know I'm the fitness expert chic, and I'm "supposed" to have great abs. But honestly, that gift didn't come with my degree. It certainly wasn't a guarantee after having two babies either. So now I have proof. I've taken part in many photo shoots but have never singled out this section of my body. Not only do I think they look pretty decent, but I imagine they'll give people more incentive to believe my advice as well.

Proof is in the pudding, and today my abs are my dessert.

Source

Curious to know how celebrities squeeze fitness into their daily lives? Want to know the secrets of the stars? Bi-weekly, our That's Fit fitness expert Fitz sits down with the celebs we want to know more about, and digs out their great and not-so-great methods to staying healthy.

Brandon Russell is the super sexy carpenter building up a storm on TLC's Trading Spaces. Easily filling Ty Pennington's boots of long ago, Brandon is passionate about carpentry and the viewers are passionate about him. One homeowner even tried to unzip him! We spoke for about an hour this week, and besides being gorgeous, Brandon is a true southern gentlemen. His drawl is adorable, and he is truly a sweet and smart guy. Brandon is also a former personal trainer, and his body is proof that he knows his stuff. Want to know his secret to spectacular abs? Read on!

Fitz: You're in your second season of Trading Spaces. How's it going?

Brandon: It's unbelievable! I've always wanted to work on television, and when I was told I got this job, I honestly cried. To be able to do what I love, carpentry, and just be myself on TV is an amazing gift. In fact, after I cried, I called all of the girlfriends I ever mocked for being weepy to apologize.

Fitz: That's pretty "manly" of you to admit it! But you're not just "the carpenter" on the show, you're the "hot carpenter." How's that?

Source