The GNC Abs Diet Review

Written by David Zinczenko of Men’s Health, The Abs Diet is another approach that is presented with a lot of documented support (much like The Holy Grail).  You might think, given the author’s association with Men’s Health, that this book would not really be useful for women–but it definitely is. There are women success stories included.

I like things to be simple, and this diet meets that standard!  There are 12 “power” foods that one can remember simply by using the phrase, Abs Diet Power:

Almonds and other nuts

Beans and legumes

Spinach and other green vegetables

Dairy (fat-free or low-fat)

Instant oatmeal

Eggs

Turkey and other lean meats

Peanut butter

Olive oil

Whole-grain breads and cereal

Extra protein (whey) powder

Raspberries and other berries

You eat 6 meals a day, if you’re a man, 5 for women. Each meal and snack should include at least 2 foods from the list.  One cheat meal per week is suggested.

The exercise plan also makes use of an acronym–Abs3:

A= abdominal muscles

B=big muscle groups (strength training)

S= speed intervals

3= 3times per week

The Abs diet offers a lot of information to help you determine your current state of fitness, and to determine where you need to be with regards to weight and measurements.

Sample workout weeks are given based on how many days per week you want to exercise.  Here’s a sample for someone who has 3 days a week:

Monday: Abdominal workout (10 minutes) plus strength training circuit (20 minutes)

Tuesday: Off, or brisk walking for 30 minutes

Wednesday: strength-training circuit (20 minutes) plus interval training (20 minutes)

Thursday: Off, or brisk walking for 30 minutes

Friday: Abdominal workout (10 minutes) plus strength training circuit (20 minutes)

Saturday: Off, or brisk walking for 30 minutes

Sunday: Brisk walking for 1 hour

My experience and thoughts on The Abs Diet

I used the Abs Diet about 10 years ago for a few months.  It’s a great program, but, as I mentioned, I am not real keen on lifting weights 🙁 So it wasn’t too long before I tired of the circuit workouts–they’re tough! But my own distaste for weights is not a reflection on the program itself.  There are many “add-on” books to go with the Abs Diet–I shared a picture of two that I still own at the beginning of this review (I seem to have lost the original book I had!).  The Get Fit Stay Fit Plan is great because it offers variation on the exercises.  The Eat Right Every Time Guide is also useful focusing specifically on food choices and offering LOTS of ideas of how to stick to the Abs Diet eating plan wherever you might find yourself–even when making a vending machine choice! I also used an Abs Diet exercise dvd–I enjoy following along with dvd workouts.  It was good, but it seemed to use a slightly different format than the book outlined.  Still a great workout though.

Bottom line: The Abs Diet is a healthy, simple approach to getting fit for life. The science is there for those of you who want or need the rationale behind a plan. I am confident that anyone who followed the program as designed will be happy with the results.

More Abs Diet materials: