Adam Bornstein - The Mens Health Big Book: Getting Abs: Get a Flat, Ripped Stomach and Your Strongest Body Ever--in Four Weeks

I always feel that the acknowledgments are the toughest section to write, as I know that its impossible for me to thank everyone that made the creation of this book possible.

Thank you to Maria Rodale and the Rodale family for providing an ongoing platform for health and wellness. To Mens Health editor-in-chief David Zinczenko, Im grateful that I not only had the opportunity to work at Mens Health, but also to continue my relationship with the brand so that I could write books that truly offer tons of useful stuff. Same goes for Steve Perrine, publisher of Rodale Books. Youll always have the distinction of being the guy that had believed in me and gave me the opportunity to write books.

An infinite amount of appreciation must also be paid to all the editors at Mens Health. Ive said it once and Ill say it again: The lessons I learned from you are invaluable and have allowed me to communicate more effectively and help more people. Thank you.

Thank you to Debbie McHugh for your continued faith in me and being an incredible, supportive friend. To Jeff Csatari, I appreciate your vision and help making this project happen. And Mike Zimmermantruly one of the most talented editors and writers Ive ever worked withthank you for editing this project and making the process even more enjoyable. Beth Bischoff, your photos are top-notch as usual. Erin Williams, your copy editing (once again) makes me look like Ive mastered the English language. And of course the design team lead by George Karabotsosthere wouldnt be a book without you.

Special thanks goes to John Romaniello for his guidance, support, and great workout knowledge. Jason Ferruggia, youve become a great influence and an even bigger motivator. And much appreciation to Alan Aragon, Mike Roussell, and Chris Mohryou helped me load this book with more nutritional information than I thought possible.

To the many contributors that made this book that greatest compilation of fitness information and workouts ever assembled: Jim Smith, Martin Rooney, Eric Cressey, Matt McGorry, Kevin Neeld, Mike Robertson, Bill Hartman, Robert Dos Remedios, Rob Sulaver, Tony Gentilcore, Mike Whitfield, Craig Ballantyne, BJ Gaddour, Nick Tumminello, Roger Lawson, JC Deen, and Jon Goodmanyou are all men of fitness genius.

Neema Yazdanilet your success be a model for others to follow.

Ted Spiker: Youre such a great mentor that I decided to follow your lead and tackle the ever-desirable abs. Thanks for your continued guidance.

And I cant forget Dan Brian, Jeremy Reed, and Michael Kirbymy Demand Media and Livestrong.com family. This project does not happen without your support. Thank you.

Mom and Dadyou continue to inspire my even though I think I drive you crazier as I get older. Thank you for loving me and continuing to teach me about how to be healthier.

Josh, Aaron, and JordanI wish everyone could have brothers like you.

And Rachie: I could write an entire book about you, but no matter how hard I try, there will never be enough words to express how amazing you are and how much I love you.

Thank you all. I continue to be humbled by each and every one of you. Now lets uncover some abs.

The name of this book could have easily been Project: Impossible.

About 2 years ago, I went searching for five men who were willing to try a new approach to exercise and nutrition. Were not talking about your typical test-a-new-program-and-earn-a-free-T-shirt gimmick. This was the real deal. As part of a 4-week program, I teamed with some of the smartest minds in exercise and nutrition to build a workout and diet program that was designed with one simple goal: to help men uncover their abs. This wasnt about guaranteeing a six-pack or making you look like a cover model. I just wanted guys to lose fat and look good. The initial 4-week phase was so successful that it became the foundation of the book you now hold in your hands.

I use the word impossible because even I wasnt sure itd work. After all, this wasnt any type of test. But after years of learning some of the best strategies that work for athletes and celebrities, I wanted to get back to the heart of healthhelping ordinary people. So I targeted the average guys, the ones who care about their health, but have limited time and unlimited expectations of what they should look like. Every guy has his own better body desires: Some want to add some muscle, others need to lose fat, and there are those who are trying to prove that age really is just a number. These men can be active or sedentary, but all enjoy pizza, drink beer (preferably several bottles), and cant seem to figure out a way to uncover their abs.

Youre one of these men. And so am I.

About 4 years ago, I found myself in the same position youre probably in now: frustrated and convinced that genetics control appearance. Despite my background and years as a fitness editor at Mens Health, I wasnt able to crack the code. That was until I transformed my body and slashed my body fat in halfdown to a measly 6 percentwhile increasing my strength and adding 5 pounds of muscle. (The transformation was documented in a story in Mens Health.) The crazy part: This occurred while working nearly 70 to 80 hours a week. Only the genetically blessed seemed to get these types of results. But genetics and blessed were words that were never combined when describing me. I was once 30 pounds overweight, could only bench 65 pounds when I was in college (which the best man at my wedding shared with everyone in attendance, and now you know my dark secret, too), and I have suffered enough broken bones and torn ligaments to earn a pat on the back from Evel Knievel. But then I discovered that anyoneand I mean anyonecan have a lean, hard body.

Now its time for you to find out how.

If you picked up this book, youre about to learn what the men of Project: Impossible discoveredthat a rock-solid core and a lean midsection live within you. But this book comes with a warning: The knowledge youll find here is not for the stubborn. As we know, men are programmed to be right. All. The. Time. We argue with our buddies, fight with our wives, and even try to outsmart our bosses. Unfortunately, we also continually challenge our bodies and fail to listen to what theyre trying to tell us.

And that is: What youre doing isnt working.

You want to be lean and muscular. You want biceps that pop, abs you can show off, and a diet you can follow while still eating like a man. And yet your body always seems to be harder to understand than Sophia Vergara with a mouthful of marbles. No matter what workout you try or how many protein shakes you slug each day, the results dont feel right, look right, or match your efforts.

But youre a man, and you dont quit. You just kick it up a notch. Maybe you join a gym or start running sprints. You experiment with a new diet or bump up your workouts to six times a week. But your body works like a bad business deal: big investment, small return. At some point, your drive for ABS turns into WTF?

That frustration has led you to this book and your final stand in the war against fat. Youre stuck and are facing a point of no return. You can accept a fate you dont wantor fight back with something new. Something different. And something completely supported by science and real-life results.