Whip Your Abs Into Shape

March can be a tricky month. After the holidays, most of us pack on a few pounds. Come January, our new year's resolutions start of with a bang and then fizzle to a memory. By the time March rolls around, we're caught offguard at the first sight of swimwear. *Gasp* Don't even wanna think about it, do you?

Well go ahead. You've still got about 12 weeks until the beginning of summer, which is twice the time you'll need according to David Zinczenko, author of The Abs Diet: The Six-Week Plan to Flatten Your Stomach and Keep You Lean for Life. Granted, this book was written by the editor of Men's Health magazine, and was created for men. Yet when my husband brought this home a couple of years ago, we were both able to embrace it. The principles of the The Abs Diet are a very sound and flexible eating plan, and a series of targeted exercises designed to whittle your abs into shape. I'm generally a pretty healthy eater, so including lots of low-fat dairy, lean meats, whole grains and fruits and veggies came quite naturally to me. Plus, he's built in some cheats (yes!) so I can have my occasional chocolate fix, and indulge myself for one meal a week. Occasionally, I do feel hungry, but it's manageable and I don't feel crazy counting calories.

It worked for us the first time around, so several weeks ago when I was feeling a little squishy around the middle, I knew exactly what was going to work. After following the plan for roughly 4 weeks, I have to say that I am once again pleased with the results. I have been eating frequent, healthy meals and snacks and I don't feel deprived in the least. I have enjoyed shorter, more targeted workouts adding interval training (thanks to Holly from Fit Yummy Mummy) and some weight work to create abs that are starting to look (dare I say it?) sculpted. Wow, this seems so easy!

Fortunately for us, Mr. Zinczenko has added the The Abs Diet for Women: The Six-Week Plan to Flatten Your Belly and Firm Up Your Body for Life to his roster of books. Created with information developed specifically for a woman's needs, this book not only helps women lose weight and get into shape, but gives tips on preventing osteoporosis, managing menopausal symptoms and even improving sexual response! There's a workout created just for postpartum moms and even a stress-busting workout chapter that builds a fit body and a calm mind.

If you're feeling a littl squishy around the middle, I highly recommend the The Abs Diet. It's an easy to follow (and stick to) program that'll help you get your pre-baby body back - or come out looking better than before!