Your
Fast-Track to a Flat Tummy & Tight Abs
The
New Year is still young, and if you've decided to make this your
year for losing the weight and tightening your abs, you're in luck.
Getting a flat midsection really boils down to two things:
1) Getting rid of the fatty layer that is covering your abdominal
muscles; and 2) Tightening and toning your abdominal muscles.
The following 7 Tight Abs Tips are your Fast-Track ticket to
getting a flat, attractive midsection this year.
Tight Abs Tip #1: Perform challenging
strength training abdominal exercises at least three times each
week. Your abs are like any other muscle in your body—they need to
be consistently challenged in order to become stronger and tighter.
Tight Abs Tip #2: Stop eating junk.
Processed foods, refined sugar and high fructose corn syrup do NOT
belong in your diet if, especially if you want tight abs. Cutting
these items from your diet will allow your body to maintain stable
blood sugar levels, alleviating your body's need to store excess
sugar away in fat cells.
The fat stores created by excess
sugar intake most often accumulate around your waist, covering up
your abdominal muscles. Cut these items from your diet and replace
them with real whole foods such as lean meats, vegetables, whole
grains, nuts and fruits.
Tight Abs Tip #3: Stop doing long and slow cardio workouts. Instead, use HIIT
(High Intensity Interval Training) for your cardio workouts. HIIT
training uses intense bursts of cardio peppered throughout your
workout. This is a sure-fire way to rev up your metabolism and to
get your fat stores to shrink.
Tight Abs Tip
#4: Use resistance with your abdominal exercises. Crunches
are great, but your body quickly becomes accustomed to the motion,
rendering it less effective. Hold a medicine ball or dumbbell at
your chest as you perform your crunches—this will force your abs to
work harder, and will achieve better results.
Tight
Abs Tip #5: Don't be fooled. The market is flooded with
'lose weight' products and products that claim to flatten your
stomach. Never waste your time or money on:
- So-called packaged health food that comes with weight loss
claims. If it's processed in a package with a bunch of chemical
additives then it will not help you achieve flat abs.
- Abdominal exercise gimmicks as sold on late night infomercials
– all you really need is your own body weight, an exercise ball
and dumbbells or a medicine ball.
- So-called weight loss supplements. The magic pill for flat abs
doesn't exist, so you'd be wasting your health and money on a
bogus product.
Tight Abs Tip #6: Target
your lower abs. It's easy to neglect the lower abs, but they are an
important part of the equation. Incorporate the V-Up into your
exercise routine:
Starting Position: Sit on the edge of an exercise bench; lean back to a 45
degree angle. Extend your legs out until they are level with the
floor.
Movement: Exhale and bring your
knees and upper body close together, while contracting your
abdominals. Inhale as you slowly release your legs, returning them
to the starting position.
Tight Abs Tips
#7: Challenge your core often. Don't limit your abdominal
exercise to the gym, incorporate core strengthening during daily
life and throughout each workout. A strong core is the foundation
for flat, tight abs.
There you have it! Seven tips that,
when diligently applied, will help you shed the fat and tighten your
abs.
But, keep in mind that your results will be seriously
hindered if you do the same exercise routine over and over. Your abs
need a progressive challenge in order to transform. This means new
exercises, different resistance and increased challenge.
Call or email today to get started on a program that will
challenge you, motivate you and transform your body.
Availability is limited -- act now and achieve a slimmer you
once and for all this year.
This stew
is perfect for a cold winter day. It is packed with antioxidant-rich
vegetables and fragrant spices. Serve this stew over a scoop of
cooked quinoa or whole grain brown rice. Yield: 6
servings
