In our generation, six pack abs define sexy. For both men and women in this day and age, a fit body is associated with trim abs. Whether this is simply mental conditioning brought about by the constant bombardment of media or is really what healthy and sexy ought to be, the truth remains: Everyone wants six-pack abs.

Six-pack abs can be developed with the appropriate exercise routine and healthy eating habits. The road to getting six-pack abs requires hard work and perseverance. However, the journey does not end when you finally see tangible results. Maintaining six-pack abs requires the performance of regular exercises to keep them toned and lean.

If you're looking for the best ab routine to give you that killer six-pack, then you're reading the right article. We'll give you the routine to get you started plus more. Read on!

1. Prepare yourself psychologically. Before starting your journey towards six-pack abs, you've got to motivate yourself to stick with your routine and your diet no matter what. You have to constantly commit yourself to doing these routines even if you don't feel like doing them. In the same manner, you also have to be strict in sticking to the diet that optimizes your body's fat burning capacity.

2. Lose the fat through healthy food habits. For starters, you have to make it a habit to eat breakfast. Skipping the most important meal of the day causes you to snack on high-calorie, high-sugar and fat-rich foods that hurt your chances of burning fat. Another habit is to eat more frequently to keep your metabolism humming and fat burning. Your diet should also consist of at least five servings of fruits and vegetables, lean meat, dairy and whole (not refined) grains. Drink enough water.

3. Build your six-pack. The following exercises outlined below will strengthen your ab muscles so you get those six-pack abs:

• Ball Crunches. Instead of basic crunches (which you can also do, by the way, if you don't have an exercise ball), ball crunches are good for strengthening your core muscles without putting undue pressure on your neck and back. As you lift your shoulders off the ball, make sure that you feel the flex in your abs. Do two sets of 10 to 20 repetitions.

• Squats. Squats are important in your quest for six-pack abs since these train your entire core while targeting the muscles of your glutes, hips and thighs. In doing your squats, make sure to contract your abs as you bend your knees and do the squat. When rising up, contract your glutes and hamstrings. Do one to three sets of 10 repetitions, progressing to 20 as you gain more strength.

• Bicycles. This is one exercise that does not only develop your abs, but strengthen your oblique muscles (muscles at the side of your stomach) as well. While doing your crunches, lift your left leg, bringing your knee toward your right shoulder and then your right knee toward your left shoulder. Initially do 25 kicks for each leg, gradually increasing your bicycles to 50.

Remember to build steam gradually and vary your routine every two to three weeks. Deadlifts, sit-ups and planks are also other exercises that you can do to develop lean stomach muscles. Do your routine regularly, but make sure to give your ab muscles time to rest from the "trauma" so it can heal itself and give you the six-pack you want.