To work the abdominal muscles, beginners should start with a strategy outlining the basics of each workout. If you want to get rid of belly fat and uncover your abs, and achieve a healthier overall fitness level, then you must be willing to make the lifestyle changes it takes to get the results you desire. If you want defined and sculpted abs, then create a plan. Begin slowly and most importantly, follow your plan. Your abdominal exercise plan should include the four components of diet, exercise, walking and weights.

Let's talk about your diet. If you are just beginning your quest for six pack abdominals, then you probably need to lose weight first. Losing that layer of abdominal fat that is hiding your abs is your first step. A healthy and nutritious diet that results in reasonable weight loss is one of the four primary components of your plan.

Your primary goal when exercising your abdominal muscles should be getting enough protein. It is very simple; you cannot build muscles without enough protein in your diet. Yes, the carbohydrates you eat help supply you with the energy you need to build muscles, but it is only the protein that can supply you with the necessary amino acids to build and also repair muscles. When your focus is to achieve a ripped set of six pack abs, you need to get a good amount of protein.

Next, let's discuss exercise. It is widely agreed upon that the most important exercise in your quest for flat abs is stretching. That is correct, as stretching is an integral part of exercising your abdominals because your body needs to remain limber and flexible in order to glean the most benefit from the other three components of your plan.

No fitness regimen is complete without some good old traditional walking. If you want defined abs, then you need to understand that walking can play a critical role in your regimen. Walking provides great stimulation for the abdominals and helps keep your core tight. Try to walk around three miles at least every other day. Even if you have been fairly sedentary, you should be able to complete this distance in less than an hour.

Workouts that use weights are extremely important to attaining toned abdominals when beginners start exercising. Basic instructions on weightlifting can be found by doing a simple search on the Internet. With minimal effort, you should be able to find step-by-step instructions for using weights to develop six pack abdominals.

Adhering to a fitness routine that tightens and tones the core is how to get flat abs. Typically, this will include weight training three days per week (allowing your muscles to rest for a day between workouts). Your heart rate should be strong, but you should not feel exhausted. Lean beef, turkey, fish and chicken will supply you with good quality protein so that all of those crunches and cardio you do will be effective in building your abdominal muscles.