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Let's set the records straight once and for all, a great 6 pack is not completely about sit-ups and crunches. In reality, all that exercise is worthless if you still have fat layers around your midriff. You can tone up and chisel your ads but you still have the hurdle of overcoming the fat, thus depleting the hours in the gym. The only way to conquer this is by eating right (yes, I said it-maintaining a healthy diet). Frankly it is what it is, you can have the best abs on earth but if you can't see them beneath the fat then what gives?

Before you go canceling your gym membership, there is hope. With the proper diet designed specifically for your abs, you can develop the 6 pack that you see in all those muscle magazines. Working out is only the tip of the iceberg. Eating right is crucial to obtaining that 6 pack.

Listed below are the top 7 steps to getting the 6-pack of your dreams.

1) Eat small, small planned meals during the course of the day. Aside from the three squares, eat a morning and afternoon snack. This keeps your metabolism at a steady rate and makes it easier to burn fat. The higher the metabolism, the better it is for the abs.

2) Choose foods high in fiber.

Fiber not only cleanses the body, it is low in calories and gives you a full feeling without any fat. Opt for whole grains and wheat and stay away from white bread (the starch will kill you). Load up on fruits and vegetables. Try to eat at least 5 servings a day.

3) Protein, protein, protein.

Did I mention protein? In order to build that 6-pack you need to eat healthy protein like eggs, almonds, tuna, and cheese (this will also aid the boosting of your metabolism).

4) Carbo Load.

You have to have complex carbohydrates to get the best from your body. It's really not that complex actually. Carbs convert the lesser sugar in our body fat. Foods like legumes, leafy vegetables, and sweet potatoes are an excellent source of carbohydrates.

5) Do away with the sodium.

Sodium tends to bloats the ab area. This is common in foods like Ramen noodles or potato chips which are dripping with fat to boot. Lighten up on the salt when in the kitchen. Salt has been known to stimulate the appetite, and that is the last thing we need in trying to develop a 6-pack.

6) Stay away from the bar.

I know I might sound like your preacher, but the truth is alcohol bloats the stomach (hence the term 'beer belly'). Plus, the extra calories just may not be worth it. Think about your abs the next time you go out to drink. They will thank you later.

7) Water, anyone?

One of the most overlooked keys when developing a 6-pack is keeping your body hydrated. Water also controls the appetite and flushes waste. In addition to more energy and better looking skin-what more can I say about the benefits of water?

Just follow these rules with a good cardiovascular program and you will be strutting topless on the beach in no time.