Abs 2013 Special: Svetlana Romanova

Our Abs 2013 special issue cover girl, Svetlana Romanova, is an advocate of the old adage, “Abs are made in the kitchen” – and we believe her! (Have you seen her six-pack?) “Most people think having six-pack abs takes hours in the gym. I train my abs only once per week – sometimes even once every two weeks!” says Svetlana. “My abs are definitely made in the kitchen.”

Her favorite clean meal? Oatmeal. “I love it because oatmeal is a great source of fiber, it gives me energy, keeps me full, and elevates my mood in the morning,” she says. “I eat it pretty much every day for breakfast.” But she certainly doesn’t get bored! She shared some of her favorite combinations with Oxygen.

Island Oats

1 cup cooked oatmeal

1/2 cooked plantain

1/3 cup of shredded unsweetened coconut

1 tbsp ground flax seed

1 tbsp chia seeds

1 tsp of cashew butter

1/2 cup coconut, almond or skim milk

Banana Plum Perfection

1 cup cooked oatmeal

1 banana

2 dried plums (chopped)

1 tbsp oat bran

1 tbsp ground flax seed

1 tbsp chia seeds

1/2 cup coconut, almond or skim milk

Autumn Oatmeal

1 cup cooked oatmeal

1/2 cup coconut, almond or skim milk

1/4 cup hazelnuts

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 apple, chopped

Honey Nut Oats

1 cup cooked oatmeal

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. honey

2 prunes, chopped

1/4 cup walnuts

Chocolate Raspberry Oatmeal

1 cup cooked oatmeal

1 tbsp flax seed

1 tbsp hemp hearts

1 tsp dark cocoa powder

1/2 cup raspberries

1/3 cup non-fat Greek yogurt

1 tbsp honey

Move Like Svetlana

When she does train her abs, Svetlana runs through two or three sets of exercises like the bicycle crunch, vertical leg crunch, the V-sit and her personal favorite, the Russian twist. “I like this exercise because it targets the obliques, but also the rectus abdominis and back muscles at the same time,” says Svetlana. Looking for a challenge? Throw in a medicine ball or a dumbbell. “You can also make the move more advanced by lifting your feet three or four inches off the floor,” she says.