Stomach, Abs and diet

[anewz2001]

I was skinny when I started working out about 8 months ago. I have since put on weight and muscle. Now the situation is that I have hit a plateau. My concern however is my stomach. I am happy with the way my body has turned out except for my stomach which has swelled and is really frustrating to look at.

I used to run on the trendmill for 10 mins before every workout but that used to exhaust me as my legs are weak. I also do crunches (3 sets of 30 each) at the end of my workout.

I know that diet and cardio are important for a flat stomach but my problem is which cardio and what diet?

I am out of the house almost the entire day and eat food from Taco Bell and Subway most of the time. I also have alot of soft drinks which I am now going to stop completely.

I would really appreciate if you could guide me with reagards to my diet and cardio/Ab exercises.

 

[Iffy]

I personally don't have a particularly strict diet, what i tend to do is eat little bit throughout the day, ie morning, bowl of cornflakes, mid morning a sandwich (chicken salad normally, w/o mayo), pasta, fish, chicken, rice, veggies for my meal at night (not altogether of course). Also eat fruit throughout the day. I occasionally have a packet of crisps or some chocolate or the occaisonaly takeaway and it doesnt do me any harm at all. Basically I try to avoid eating alot of bread and don't touch fried food.

As for your cardio, mix up some slower paced, longer lasting sessions and some HIIT. For the slower pace try jumping on a cross trainer for 40-45 mins at 70 rpm (obviously build up to this). There a whole section HIIT in the forum, but basically its a shorter, high intensity session, for instance 20 mins with 40 secs 70 rpm then 20 secs 90+ rpm for the duration. I wouldn't recommend going over the 20 min mark because of the intensity level of HIIT, maybe up the resistance a little when it becomes easier.

For my abs I train them 3 times a week, and do 3 sets of 15 on the weighted crunch machine at my gym.

I train Monday, Wednesday & Friday doing weights and HIIT and Tuesday & Thursday doing the slower paced session. I rest on a weekend generally, but occasionally do an extra session on a Sunday doing a full body weights workout and slow cardio session.