The Abs Diet: Hollywood's slimming secrets

Mix healthy eating and muscle-building exercise

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The Abs Diet

Developed by David Zinczenko of Men's Health, this revolutionary new eating plan combines healthy eating with muscle-building exercise to give you the body you've dreamed of.

 

Who's a fan: Lindsay Lohan has been keen on the diet's principles and the Pussycat Dolls can't get enough of the power shakes (and workout tips) when they're on the road.

 

What's hot about it: The plan gives you six meals a day, all packed with healthy ingredients referred to in the diet as powerfoods, and plenty of exercise; you do two cardio workouts a week, two sessions of abs-specific exercises, three sessions of strength training and one interval workout. But don't panic - you do get a day off!

 

 

Zinczenko also points out that different workouts work better for different body types. - If you're lean and narrow: You want to build strength and curves with slow weight training. Do each rep super-slowly, take three seconds to raise and three to lower.

If you're naturally curvy: Tone up with a fast-paced routine to burn calories too. Interval training with kickboxing moves will suit you well so pump up the volume!

If your body type is athletic: Get lean and energised with yoga, dance and Pilates postures to tone your build.

 

What you can eat: The diet lists 12 nutrient-packed secret weapons you should try to get into your diet...

 

● Almonds and other nuts

● Beans and legumes

● Spinach and other green veggies

● Dairy (fat-free or low-fat)

● Instant oatmeal (unsweetened, unflavoured)

● Eggs

● Turkey and other lean meats

● Peanut butter

● Olive oil

● Wholegrain breads and cereals

● Extra-protein whey powder

● Raspberries and other berries

 

Can I indulge? If you fancy a night out, you're allowed to cheat for one meal a week. And make sure you enjoy it - studies have shown that a day of high-caloric intake can rev up your metabolism and therefore help you change you body. But use control and make sure that you only cheat once a week.

 

Try a sample menu

Breakfast: One slice of grilled bacon, one baked egg and one slice of low-fat cheese in a wholewheat muffin OR two eggs, scrambled with sweetcorn, tomato and black beans.

 

Lunch: Chicken, bean and tomato soup (add carrots and corn for extra fibre); OR grilled sandwich of feta, sauerkraut, low-salt deli turkey and low-fat cheese on rye bread.

 

Dinner: Lean sirloin steak stir-fried with carrots and broccoli and served with brown rice; OR low-fat spaghetti bolognaise - use lean ground beef and wholewheat spaghetti... remember to add lots of extra veg!

 

Snacks: One apple, sliced and dipped into peanut butter OR a handful of raisins stirred into a low-fat yoghurt.

 

Smoothie: Bran cereal, honey and blueberries OR strawberries, vanilla yoghurt and peanut butter, blended with low-fat milk, whey protein powder and ice cubes.

 

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