Shannon Collins – The Gym Nurse on Instagram with 150,000 followers – is known for sharing fitness advice online and recently revealed the secret to getting a six pack
We’ve all probably wished we had killer abs at some point.
When you see people looking all toned and chiselled, it’s hard not to aspire to wanting a six pack yourself. And one gym expert said it’s not as easy as you think, as people often make mistakes when working out.
Shannon Collins, 44, known as The Gym Nurse to her 150,000 Instagram followers, shares fitness advice online. She is very honest about her fitness journey, and about how hard she’s worked to transform her body.
Recently she opened up about having abs as it’s something she often gets asked about by people online. Many want advice on how to get a six pack, and thinks it’s something we really need to talk about for all sorts of reasons.
Firstly, she said abs are “made in the gym” and “revealed in the kitchen”. The more you work to build your muscle, the easier they will show when you work to lower your body fat.
But Shannon said there’s a big catch when it comes to striving for your goal, as genetics can play a part in what your body looks like. This is because you can’t control where your body stores fat.
Writing on Instagram, Shannon said: “Having a six pack isn’t necessarily all it’s cracked up to be. There are a bunch of factors that go into it, and it may take some people to a place that isn’t really healthy for that individual.
“It all depends on person. We are all different. Embrace being able to build a strong body – your body will naturally improve aesthetically in whatever way it’s able when you consistently live out good habits over time.
“I will say that it isn’t just about being lean. You can be lean and still have very little muscle. If you didn’t ever build anything, nothing will be there when you shed body fat.
“I was 15lbs less on left, but my muscle mass was much lower due to my training age, and the fact that I needed to spend a lot more time FUELLING and building. You aren’t building anything when you are always trying to be small.
“That goes for muscle anywhere on your body. Deposits and sacrifices need made. That comes with lots of patience, some weight gain, size increases, and not always being as small as possible.”
Although she shared some great advice, she also reminded people that no physique is worth sacrificing your mental or physical health for. She said you shouldn’t go to the extreme in a bid to try and achieve an “unattainable body”.
One person commented on the post: “I appreciate you used that question to educate instead of sell an idea ‘here is a belly fat plan’ like so many instructors/companies do. Thank you!”
Another wrote: “More posts like this one and less posts that promise to ‘blast belly fat’ in seven days.” A third replied: “Wisdom. Food is a gift that keeps on giving. It’s not a bad thing to eat but just like with anything takes responsibility and good practice.”
Meanwhile, a fourth also commented: “Thank you SO much for the information and common-sense approach! I appreciate your truthfulness and realism!”
