Abs are made in the kitchen

Perhaps the most commonly asked question and area of support that I am asked about is that of nutrition: There is a saying “Abs are made in the kitchen” and this could not be truer. We all have abs, some of us just need to “uncover”

them with a healthier approach to eating and exercise.

Proper nutrition is the foundation for everything we will do in our daily lives. It is the fuel to our internal engines, and just like your car, if you put bad fuel in your engine, you’ll end up at the mechanic (doctor) made in the kitchen before too long.

Here are a few tips towards better nutrition and helping to uncover those abs!

Shop the perimeter of the market – all of the good stuff is on the outside, like lean meats, green leafy vegies, and berries.

Avoid processed food-like substances that are in the middle aisles of the grocery store. Start reading labels, know what you put in your body (how you fuel your engine)

and as a general rule of thumb, if you can’t pronounce the ingredients on the label, you probably shouldn’t eat them.

Emphasise naturally raised, organic, and pastured food as much as possible. Shop at stores such as Whole Foods, the Farmers’

Market, and Peaches. Good: local, organic, or pastured meats and eggs, wild-caught fish, local or organic vegetables and berries, oils like coconut or olive oil.

Grey area: full-fat grass-fed milk and butter products, full-fat Greek yogurt Bad: processed sugar, gluten (bread), grains, alcohol, soft drinks (yes, even diet).

Healthy eating starts with healthy habits. Build the successes one day at a time. Don’t go and clean your cupboards out. Rather pick a meal like breakfast and make small changes that you can build upon.

Johnny West is head coach and owner of CrossFit 760 Torquay and is a lifelong athlete with an appreciation for all things sports and outdoors.