If you line up a hundred people off the street and ask them what part of their body they would change if they had the choice, it's a sure bet that nearly all of them would mention their stomachs.
Everybody wants their abdominals to have those well-defined contours that we all think of when we imagine sexy abs - the chiseled six-pack of the bodybuilder, or highly toned tummy of the model.
The problem is that few of us want to do the endless repetitions of crunches and other abdominal exercises that are required to obtain that look.
But what if there were a way to get contour abs without all those crunches? Well, there is a way and we're going to tell you what it is.
But let's make a couple of things clear first so that there are no misconceptions here.
None of this happens overnight, or without effort.
To get contour abs without all those crunches, you will still need to work hard and eat smart - we just make the work a little more enjoyable and the eating a little less stressful.
Unlike other routines, we enable you to get contour abs without all those crunches and without starving yourself to death just to shed a few pounds here and there.
Your goal has to involve burning fat and strengthening abdominal muscles - that's enough for anyone to concentrate on at one time! The first thing you need to do to get contour abs without all those crunches is to develop an exercise routine that will get your body moving, your heart rate elevated, and your metabolism kicked into a higher gear.
Just because we eliminate crunches doesn't mean that you won't be using your abdominal muscles in the exercise program.
Take a look online and you will see dozens of successful core-building routines designed around dance and other eclectic movements.
If you're standing up while exercising, remember that any dance movement that involves lifting your knees toward your waist is perfect for contracting the abdominal muscles and building tone and strength.
You might scoff at the notion that you can get contour abs without all those crunches by doing something as simple as a dance routine from an exercise video, but the truth is that dancers have some of the fittest bodies in the world.
Dance routines that incorporate a number of repetitive movements are effective ways to build overall strength and endurance, while burning away those dreaded fat cells.
Of course, to get contour abs without all those crunches, it will take more than exercise alone.
And that is where diet comes into play.
Working out is never going to be sufficient to get the body that you really desire.
The only way to get contour abs without all those crunches is to strike a balance between your exercise efforts and your dietary plan.
To get lean fast, strip away the processed carbohydrates, eat plenty of whole grains, fruit, and lean protein, and drink plenty of water.
A reduction of 500 calories a day will be enough to lose one pound of weight every week.
It may take you several weeks or even several months to get contour abs without all those crunches, but the time and effort will have been well worth it when it comes time to take off your shirt at the beach.
Best of all, when your friends marvel at your dedication to doing all those crunches and other abdominal exercises, you can simply flash them a knowing smile and let them think what they will.