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To show off your abs, you have to flatten your belly, The Abs Diet author Zinczenko writes. To flatten your belly, you have to burn fat. To burn fat, you have to build muscle.

The Abs Diet workout focuses on strength training (3x a week); cardiovascular exercise (1 tougher interval such as jogging and 2 light ones such as walking); and ab exercises (2x a week). Swimming laps would fit into the definition of a tougher cardio.

The plan focuses on using strength training to increase your lean muscle mass as quickly and easily as possible. As I view the bulk of the exercises outlined in the book, I’m convinced with some slight modifications, all of the strength training exercises can be done in a water aerobics class or simply just in the water using regular weights, weight floats, resistance paddles, or webbed gloves. Especially due to the fact it is recommended the exercise method be done in short circuits (smaller repetitions or reps, one exercise after another) and in a compounded manner (working more that one muscle at a time), done with speed or intensity.

A good water aerobic class does this, and for one more important additional reason: This method keeps your interest. Add great music and you won’t even feel like you are exercising but dancing at a party.

If you have never taken a water aerobics class and are working on getting there, here are Three Things You Can Do Right Now to Build Your Abs:

1. Stand tall. I love this helpful image: Think of a cape flowing behind you.
2. Abs aren’t just in the front. Abs connect around your hips and to your backbone.
3. Abs have memory. Be conscious of the first two and you’ll develop awareness. Awareness leads to habit.

We previously found the right food (using the acronym ABS DIET POWER) and eating pattern (6 small meals). Here’s the formula for success:

MORE FOOD + MORE MUSCLE = LESS FLAB

And on the other hand, consider the formula for failure:

LESS FOOD + LESS MUSCLE = MORE FLAB