civic-r,
oh. haha I was wondering how not to use the waist when basically, the abs is one part of the entire waist. hehe
daniel,
Working out involves more than just the muscles and movements. There is a lot of mention of mind-muscle where your mind must work with your muscles to ensure that right muscle is being worked. Proper form/technique is also very important to avoid possible injuries which may put you out of action for weeks, or even months. On top of that, proper diet, proper daily practises (I'll get to this later) and of course, sufficient rest (at least 8 hours of sleep) will help bring that abs out. Just so you know, everyone actually has 6 pack abs. It's just hidden under those flabs, and it's also how lean and big you work those abs.
Here's a quick link for abs exercises.
Bodybuilding.com - Exercise Guides Database.
(please don't look at the girl with big solid rounded boobs in those work out pictures. stay focused. haha)
The basic thing to remember is that when you do crunches, you always curl your body at your abs forward. When you do that correctly, you will feel your abs muscle tighten. For example, try doing basic crunches (see video link below) 15 reps, 4 sets. When you stand up again, you should feel your abs tightening up. There are many ways to work that abs but you'll have to find one that suits you best. Look through the weblink provided above and draft out a 20 minute abs work out, with different types of abs workout. If you're just starting to work out, maybe stick to 3 or 4 sets, with 12 or 15 (or so) reps in each set. Once you have drafted it out, stick to that abs workout program for about one or two months (assuming you do it 3-4 times a week). After that, change your work out program with new abs workouts. The change in workout program allows you to work your abs in different ways, therefore, your body will also be forced to change and develop based on your new work out program.
I'd give you hope and motivate you, honestly, but don't hope to see your 6 packs so quickly. Working on abs alone will not be enough to pop that 6 packs out. You need to lose ALL those flabs around your waist. If you go to a gym, cycling classes have been recommended to me by many trainers and I personally do it myself. It helps to burn off a fair amount of fats, if done consistently (3-4 times a week, about 30 or 45 minutes each session). What you can do is go through your abs workout program, then take a break enough to catch back your breath and recover back your breathing. After that, go for cycling class. Cycling classes are usually designed to work your leg muscles (which will indirectly build it as well) as well as to help you lose those fats. If you're a first timer in the cycling class, get help from the instructor to adjust your bike. This is VERY important because cycling with all the wrong adjustments may injure your back. There will be basically 2 types of cycling. One is to make you cycle fast, with comfortable resistance on your bike. This is generally to make your body burn fats. Another is to cycle with tight resistance, making you use your leg muscles to cycle. Also, when it comes to cycling, try to cycle with a push-pull movement. Meaning, push the pedals down, and then when it goes to the back, pull the pedal back up (the pedals will have a strap where you can strap your feet onto). Note that if you are just going to do cardio exercise and nothing else, the first 20 minutes of cardio workout burns NOTHING! Remember to breath when you're in cycling class. You'll be surprised how many people unconsciously hold their breath when they exert energy to cycle hard and fast.
If you don't go to a gym, jogging would also help. Remember to bring a parang cos now a days, it ain't safe outside no more. haha Oh yeah, and don't bother bringing out your wallet too, just to be safe. When you jog, do a regular jog for 20 minutes to warm up. Then, whenever you think you are ready, sprint or run for about 5 minutes, then slow down again for a few minutes to recover back your breath. Then when you are ready (psycho your mind to tell you that you are ready if you think you can't do it), and then sprint/run for about 5 minutes and slow down for recovery again. Doing short burst of sprints helps to pump keep your cardio system going at it's best.
The reason why you workout your abs first is to break down (however much it can) the fats around your waist. Then the cardio workout will 'wash' away whatever lose fats it can.
Hope that helps.
Basic crunches video;
http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/videos/2005/crunches.wvx
