5 Effective Ways to Flatten and Tone Your Stomach

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By Yoridale

Besides being healthy, lots of women and men want to have washboard abs while soaking in the summer sun. To achieve this, do crunches daily , maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, train with weights and think positively.

With summer just around the corner, it’s just the right time to make a lifestyle change and gain a flat, toned tummy in the process. You’ll be strutting around in that sexy bikini in no time with these tips:

Do crunches daily

In order to tone your stomach, you first need to work the muscles in that area. Alternatively, you could invest in specialized equipment such as the slendertone flex belt which is specifically tailored to meet your needs. You could always go back to the traditional method of trimming down your waist by doing ab crunches. In order to do this, you need to lie flat on an exercise mat, bend your knees and slowly raise yourself up. Hold that position for 3 counts before returning to your initial position. Repeat this 12 to 15 times at least 3 times per week.

Maintain a balanced diet

Maintaining a balanced diet is key to getting the dream body you’ve always wanted. Eat meals that are balanced both in terms of nutrition and portion size. Your meals should be rich in vitamins and minerals, and most of these can easily be obtained through fruits and vegetables.

Exercise regularly

When it comes to losing weight and toning up, regular exercise is important. In order to keep your metabolism rate at its highest level, you’ll need to maintain it and you’ll only be able to do this if you exercise regularly. Make it a point to start your day with a slow jog or if you’re really busy, incorporate some light exercise into your daily routine. You could park a few blocks away from the office so that you force yourself to walk, or take the stairs instead of the elevator once in a while. All these would help get your heart pumping and help you stay fit.

Train with weights

While cardio exercises are great for burning calories and trimming body fat, in order to tone your abs you’ll need to train with weights at least three times a week. Start with lighter weights and do about 15-20 reps per session before moving on to heavier weights. Be sure to do this gradually or you might end up tearing a ligament or straining yourself, and this would be both debilitating to your progress as well as injurious to your health.

Think positive

This is a little of a case of mind over matter. Losing weight and toning up is a routine that requires dedication and motivation in order to keep going. Positive thoughts will motivate you when times get tough and you feel like giving up. Get together with a group of friends who all share a common goal so that you’ll be able to encourage and keep each other motivated throughout the times when you feel like giving up and binging on that double chocolate fudge mud cake.

Getting a flat and trim tummy may not be as hard as you’ve thought all this time. With the proper mindset and dedication, you could be well on your way to that killer beach body!

Comments

jstelletello profile image

jstelletello 11 months ago

Yoridale,

While I commend your efforts on this hub and will support you statements on nutrition, regular exercise, and positive thinking,there are a few misnomers I would like to address with your recent post.

First of all, doing cardio is less effective for burning calories and trimming body fat then weight training.

Second, doing crunches daily will not give you a toned stomach. A person can do hundreds of crunches a day and never have a flat, toned stomach. Also there are many more effective core strengthening exercises then crunches.

Third, the slendertone flex belt is a gimmick at best and a serious waste of money. No trainer in their right mind (meaning worried about their client and not money in their pockets) would ever recommend something as ineffective and illogical as that.

I apologize if I seem harsh but this is an area where I feel many misconceptions are perpetuated and do my best as a trainer to dispel them any chance I get. If you would like a further explanation see my hub on nutrition:

http://hubpages.com/hub/exerciseandweightloss

And I welcome any other questions.

Les Trois Chenes profile image

Les Trois Chenes Level 4 Commenter 11 months ago

I do the diet and think (not very positively) about my stomach. Doing the rest is the problem! Many thanks for your excellent advice.

Philipo profile image

Philipo 10 months ago

These are very useful advise. It is educative. Thanks for sharing.

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