“First of all, you need to be in a caloric deficit. With less body fat, you can see the ab muscles and obliques,” said Sara Safarri when asked how she built her trademark core.

What began as a short-term influencer stint has turned the Iranian-American fitness star into a global name, and her pride is unmistakable, her abs.

So, how did she build such an impressive mid-section?

Apart from her caloric-deficit diet, and for those who don’t know, that simply means burning more calories than you consume, her routine does a lot of the heavy lifting. Her training starts with ab sessions with hanging leg raises.

“So first of all, you want to find a bar. Put your hands on the bar shoulder-width apart, and then raise your legs.”

Sara Safarri's next favourite movement is the ab roller. Saffari performs three sets of 10.

“A lot of people have difficulty with these the first few times. I remember the first time I did them, I couldn’t even get close to the ground. So if you can only go a little bit, just keep doing them, and you’ll get better at them as time goes on.”

She finishes with the Russian Twister, a rotational core movement that targets the obliques, rectus abdominis, hip flexors, and deep trunk stabilizers.

However, most people overlook that visible abs require a consistent caloric-deficit diet. With that in mind, here is a quick look at her dietary plan as well.

Sara Saffari's all-day diet

She prioritizes a high-protein, nutrient-dense diet.

Breakfast

Protein shake: Whey protein, almond butter, banana, almond milk, and spinach.

Alternative: Greek yogurt with granola and mixed berries.

Mid-morning add-ons: Walnuts, almonds, or pumpkin seeds for a balanced mix of fiber, protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats.

Lunch

Grilled chicken salad: Grilled chicken breast, tomatoes, avocado, cucumber, and vinaigrette dressing.

Alternative: Quinoa salad made with quinoa, black beans, cilantro, lime, corn, and pepper.

Snack: Hummus with carrot and cucumber sticks.

Alternative snack: Apples or pears paired with a handful of nuts.

Dinner

Baked salmon fillet: Served with potatoes and roasted Brussels sprouts.

Alternative: Stir-fried tofu with snap peas, bell pepper, broccoli, and brown rice.

Her caloric intake is around 1900-2100, protein is around 135–155 g/day, carbohydrates are around 170–210 g/day, and fat is around 60–80 g/day.

Can you follow her exercise and workout routine? Let us know in the comments down below!

Written by

Suryakant Das

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu