How Getting the Six Pack Will Change Your Life (and How It Won’t)
Ahh, an elusive six-pack. For many, this is the holy grail of fitness. But does your life really change after you achieve it? Let’s take a look at how getting six packs is changing your life and when it’s really just gold for fools.
First, let’s briefly talk about how to get a six-piece pack. Generally speaking, you need to achieve a level of weight loss where your stomach is lean enough to show the abdominal muscles underneath. This level varies, but a good rule of thumb is less than 10% body fat for men and 20% for women.
This is easier said than done and is like saying, ” Just eat less, move more .” Depending on where you start, this body fat may be well below your body’s ” set point “, which is the amount of fat your body naturally stores. Sinking too far below the target value, especially because of an aggressive diet , is like rollerblading on a slippery road. You will have to fight the physiology of your body with your teeth and nails.
Still, getting a six-pack is possible, even if it’s difficult. I have seen many become obsessed with this search, believing that it will ultimately change their lives. I definitely thought about it when I first achieved it. But aside from the difficulty, right?
No one will treat you differently because of this
There is an opinion that people with six packs are treated differently. This is why a lot of people, guys in particular, start their fitness journey – to look good and attract someone.
It might help, but not as much as you think. Nobody really knows that you have abs under your clothes. In fact, if you do not achieve developed muscle levels, the required low body fat can make you less athletic in your clothing.
When I first got skinny enough for a six-pack , I thought everyone would look at me differently. In fact, this was not the case: the women did not come to me, the guys did not look at me with envy, and the only additional attention I received was my neurotic dietary behavior, which was required to maintain my abs.
In terms of attractiveness, you’re likely to benefit from getting leaner, but between being “skinny enough” and being in the six-pack territory, there aren’t many additional benefits.
It’s not that nobody notices; the point is that nobody cares.
You realize your own possibilities
The six-piece set is one of the most common fitness milestones. When you reach one of these milestones, something amazing happens: you realize that you have the opportunity to take all aspects of your life into your own hands. I have met many people who reach their fitness goals and then continue to master other things like finance, career, and so on.
Throughout the entire process of losing weight, you are often insecure. You will begin to question your genetic makeup, your resilience, and almost all of the qualities associated with self-esteem.
When you finally achieve this goal, you will develop a strong growth mindset throughout everything in life. You understand that self-doubt is in your head, and it is completely in your power to change yourself. It also becomes apparent that fitness, like everything else , is a skill. If there’s anything about a six-pack that attracts members of the opposite sex, it’s confidence in this new way of thinking.
The biggest benefit of all
But this is the biggest benefit, especially for those who have pursued this goal for ages. According to Leangains creator , trainer and nutritionist Martin Berkhan :
The secret advantage of being lean is that it’s a huge time-saver.
Be honest with yourself: If you are on a diet, you think about it a lot. Perfect satisfaction saves you an astonishing amount of mental energy. Gone are worries, doubts and obsessions about diet, weight and all other issues related to achieving your goal. The itching is gone. No more scratching.
But this emptiness needs to be filled with something. You will suddenly rediscover new interests and hobbies – I did it. Don’t fill the void with extra workouts. Fill it out with reading, family, friends, or whatever. Learn to be content when your ultimate goal is achieved. Set new goals, but learn to put up with slower, gradual progress.
This does not necessarily apply to everyone. Many people are perfectly content that they never achieve the desired level of slimness. But if that was one of your lifelong goals, keeping a six-pack can help you get rid of your obsession. Fitness is becoming less of a priority and more of an “doing” thing. Ironically, this is the best way to incorporate fitness into your life.
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