the abs diet reviews: details and comparisons

The Abs Diet Reviews, Details, and Comparisons

Abs Diet Reviews 2009 Update If you've ever taken Bill Phillips’ Body for Life “12 week challenge” then the following Abs Diet reviews will be a bit nostalgic. At least it was for me. I found David Zinczenko's The Abs Diet very similar to Bill Phillips' Body for Life plan...namely the eating frequency and work out intensity.

But I have to admit, similar to Body for Life, the Abs Diet does work...if YOU are willing to work. Below I'll tip you off on a few hard, fast details of the diet as well as a few notable competitors for quick comparison.

What does the Abs Diet claim?

The new online abs diet headlines a few brash claims: “Get great abs in 6 weeks!” or “Lose up to 12 pounds-from your belly first- in just 2 weeks!". Whoa! That might be a bit optomistic for some folks. I have some relatives for example who could probably spend 6 weeks at a concentration camp and still not have great abs?

"I have some relatives who could probably spend 6 weeks at a concentration camp and still not have great abs!"

I'm sure someone somewhere has realized great abs in 6 weeks or lost 12 pounds from their gut (however that's determined). But that will certainly be next to impossible for most. So the diet’s claim may be juuuust a bit overstated.

But suffice it to say this is a best selling diet for good reason as well. The Abs Diet Online posts several before and after testimonials that are unbelievable. The common denominator with most abs diet testimonials is persistent hard work. About anyone can achieve dramatic results but most everyone isn't motivated to work this diet. So not suprisingly as with most high discipline diets, the attrition or fall out rate with the Abs diet is high.

What's the Abs Diet theory?

The theory is not anything new really...but it's fundamentally sound. Unlike the Body for Life diet (BFL), the Abs Diet tries to accomplish in 6 weeks what it takes BFL to do in 12.

From the beginning Zinczenko states that the Abs Diet is not actually a diet but rather an “eating plan”. Either way, the plan offers you more of a guide than a strict set of rules to adhere to.

The diet emphasizes eating smaller and more frequent meals which are a combination of macro-nutrient balanced “power foods”. The power foods show their power when combined with cardio and weight training. This combo kicks your body into developing more lean muscle mass, which in turn increases your metabolic rate....all of which leads to dropping excess fat storage.

I didn't find any surprises here. Simply a sound diet to lose fat and gain muscle.

How do I follow the plan?

The Abs Diet is actually an acronym for the 12 nutrient-rich “power foods” (see below). Stay close to the 12 and eat 6 small meals (3 meals & 3 snacks) throughout the day. Each meal should consist of at least 3 power food. Each snack should include one.

Don't worry you're not exclusively limited to 12 select foods for 6 weeks. You're also given a list of foods to “eat often” and “eat occasionally” in combination with the 12.

On the flip side recommended "foods to avoid" are: fried foods, pizza, hamburgers, butter, sodas, vegetable oil, etc. All in all don't eat foods you already know are high in saturated fats and bad carbs. You do get a "cheat" meal to let your hair down and eat for pleasure....just maintain your composure.

The 12 Power Foods:

Almonds and other nuts
Beans and legumes
Spinach and other green veggies
Dairy (fat-free or low fat)
Instant oatmeal (no sugar added)
Eggs
Turkey/lean meat (steak, chicken and fish)
Peanut butter (all-natural, and limit to 3 tbsp/day)
Olive oil (extra virgin)
Whole grain bread/cereal)
Extra Protein (whey powder)
Raspberries and other berries

What makes the Abs diet peculiar is that it has included a new foreign concept to modern day dieting. The Abs diet recommends a series of repetitive body movements, what they term “exercise". It seems our sedentary, scientific diets are being replaced by diet and "exercising".

A typical week consists of a 3 day a week weight split training routine that include an impressive array of compound and isolation movement exercises. Cardio is also recommended on off days as well. See routines below:

Abs Diet Reviews Exercise Routine

How much and how soon?

The Abs diet is a diet that will return what you invest. I'm sure if you can muster up enough vision and dedication to lose a specified weight..you can do it with this diet. Again, there are a lot of big claims, reviews and testimonials of men and women losing a significant amount of weight. However, it's not what the Abs diet claims you can lose but rather what you determine to lose.

What are the Pro's?

You're eating small meals frequently
You have a balanced nutritional plan that gives you some leeway to eat without starving yourself
You're actually weight and cardio training to gain lean muscle mass and to lose fat
The Abs Diet now offers the plan online providing support, tools, and forums. Internet based diets have proven to dramatically increase dieters odds of success.

The Con's?

It's work. If you've ever worked the Body for Life diet it really is a challenge. I classify this as a 'con' only because most expect the diet to somehow do the work instead. For some the challenge of hard work may be appealing.
Unreasonable expectations. The idea of 12 pounds in 2 weeks or spot reducing that spare tire will be a rude awaking for some at about week 2. Fat loss happens in layers not in spots. But since most fat accumulates mostly around your belly, hips, thighs, buttocks, and lower back, you will find fat loss reduction in those areas as well.

The Abs Diet Comparisons:

Generally speaking the Abs diet still falls short of the long time legendary "Burn the Fat Feed the Muscle" system by Tom Venuto. But it wins with it's balanced simplicity and no-nonsense approach of food and exercise which is absent in most low carb fad diets.

The modern day diet system uses manipulative hormonal techniques as a replacement for eating right and exercising. Eating right is an improvement, yet it's only halfway to truly being healthy.

The Abs Diet works as most abs diet reviews will concur. However, if your this serious about working this diet I strongly suggest considering the “Burn the Fat Feed the Muscle” system by bodybuilder Tom Venuto.

Otherwise you can go to the abs diet home page for additional Abs Diet reviews (non-affiliate link).

footer for abs diet reviews page