Finals - abs - triathlon

I have purchased a few men's magazines recently. It makes me want abs more and more.

The general concept (non-advertising content that is) is this: Abs are really just a function of body fat: Get down to 5-8% body fat and magically your abs will appear. No matter how strong your abs are at 15% body fat, you'll never see them; and surely at 24% body fat (me) you'll NEVER EVER see them.

NUTRITION

I think my nutrition has materially changed for the better.

I still am eating 1-2 smoothies per day. A smoothie is roughly:

* fruit juice;
* ice;
* frozen fruit bar;
* two pieces of fruit.

Fruits I generally consume within smoothies:
* Bananas
* Strawberries;
* Blueberries;
* Blackberries;
* Mangos;
* Oranges;
* Pinneapple;
* Cantaloupe;
* Melon;
* Pears;
* Kiwi;

Fruit juices used:
* pineapple juice;
* orange juice;
* cranberry juice;
* Apple juice;
* Berry Juices (diet);
* Mango juice;
* Grape juice (white usually)

In addition to 1-2 smoothies per day I also try to consume at least one and sometimes two salads and/or 1-3 soups (vegetable based ideally).

I think the thought is this: I try to eat 4 pieces of fruit a day and several servings of vegetables a day. When I do this, my nutritional needs are largely met except for protein: Which I generally try to grab from something like fish, tuna, beans -- or chicken within soup I'm eating.

EXERCISE:

In the past two weeks or so my exercise regimen has really faltered. I was injured for 4-6 days with a back injury (but I still rode the bike intermittently) and then somehow slept on my back wrong and endured a second back (re)injury. I think it's better now, and I'd really like to start rowing again. Also, triathlon coming up in two weeks though. . .

BODY IMAGE:

I had this body image in my mind last night of me, a vision. With a chiseled chest and abs that showed through my mid-section. I've never really had that sort of vision before. I like the concept. I don't know how difficult it would be to make happen, but if feels like I could make it happen and that I should try.