Six-pack ab is not healthy

Six-pack abs are not necessarily healthy, atleast in the long run. It is not only difficult to achieve but also to maintain. Office-goers should be aware of the health hazards of undertaking sudden and strict regimes to try having the sixpack ab.

‘Actors not just have highly trained experts to help them in every step of the way , but they also have the help of makeup, perfect lighting and special effects to enhance their look,’ says Leena Mogre, fitness professional. She further says, ‘Maintaining a six-pack isn’t healthy for your body. That kind of unnatural body-fat percentage can lead to health issues. It is okay for actors because it is usually for a short period of time and also, they pay constant attention to their strict lifestyle, thanks to the fleet of staff that takes care of them.’

Clinical nutritionist Pooja Makhija says, ‘Maintaining a sixpack for months means that the essential bodyfat percentage (12% in males and 18% in females) is compromised. This also affects the lining of the internal organs.’ Another thing that is dangerous is that men reduce salt to near zero levels in order to make their six-pack look tighter. Pooja says, ‘This elimination of salt from the diet can have negative repercussions.’

It is also stressful to go through the regime of creating a sixpack ab. Swati Shah, a fitness professional and a hula-hoop trainer states, ‘The key for everyone should be to aim for being functionally fit, rather than psyching yourself up mentally and physically to get a six-pack.’

Be comfortable with the exercise regime that you can do rather than be continuously uncomfortable and under stress to do exercises that you can’t, says the author.

Written by: Dr. Ajay Sati.