This is Optimal Health Daily. Is there a cheat code to get six-pack abs faster?

By Donna Cristiano withhealthline.com, and I'm Dr. Neal, your very own personal narrator.

I read to you from some of the best health and fitness blogs on the web, and always with a bit of my

commentary at the end. Now, I'm sure you're eager to hear about how to get

six-pack abs and if there's a shortcut to getting those. So let's get right to today's post as

we optimize your life. Is there a cheat code to get six-pack abs faster? by Donna Cristiano withhealthline.com.

Overview

Ripped, chiseled abs are the holy grail of many fitness enthusiasts.

They tell the world you're strong and lean and that lasagna has no sway over you,

and for many, they're not easy to achieve. Athletes aside, most people

have abdominal muscles veiled by a layer of fat. Some of it is near the surface of the skin,

also known as subcutaneous fat. Some of it is deep within the abdominal cavity itself. This is known as visceral fat.

The more fat you have, the longer it will take to shed it, and then to showcase six-pack abs.

What's a six-pack?

The major muscle in the abdomen responsible for that washboard appearance is the rectus abdominis. It's a long, flat band of fibers

that extends vertically from the pubic bone to under the ribs. It lies over the internal organs

and functions to help hold these organs in their proper place. It's a divided muscle with a right

and a left half that run parallel to each other.

Each half is divided into three segments by connective tissue.

These six bands of connective tissue are what give the abdomen its six-pack appearance.

Regardless of how well-toned your rectus abdominis is, if it's hidden under layers of fat, your six-pack won't be

visible. According to Harvard Health, roughly 90% of body fat is subcutaneous, meaning it lies

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