One of the
most common places to gain weight is in the stomach area. This region seems to more easily show weight
gain as fat settles to form a pouch. Unfortunately the ab area is also one of
the hardest places to lose weight.
That's because the fat tends to cover the underlying muscles. Unlike our caveman ancestors modern man
doesn't use the abdominal muscles on a daily basis. Once the ab muscles aren't used they can be
hard to work with.
The key to
flatter abs lies in a two-fold plan.
This includes both diet and exercise. Exercise alone will not usually
have enough of an impact on the abdominal muscles to facilitate change. Real change will come from a weight loss diet
that cuts back on caloric intake. No
matter what you do if you want to lose weight you'll have to cut calories and
watch your diet.
Certain
exercises are essential in working to strengthen the abdominal muscles. It's important to understand where the abs
are located in order to properly exercise for them. The abdominal muscles are the muscles under
the stomach area. They reach from the
upper pelvic region to just under the breastbone. To reduce the fat that has accumulated you
need to wrok with the underlying abdominal muscles.
There are two
basic exercises that will help you strengthen and flatten your abs. These include sit-ups and crunches. These are similar exercises that both target
the middle section of the body. As the
abs become stronger you'll benefit by having a flatter stomach, better posture
and better back support.
Sit-ups
Recommended
for those with no prior back problems sit-ups are simple exercises that can
help flatten the abs. To properly
perform sit-ups you'll need to lay on the floor with your back flat on the
ground. Place your hands behind your
head and raise your body up trying to touch your elbows to your knees. If needed get someone to help hold your
ankles down to keep the proper form.
Crunches
Easier to do
than sit-ups crunches are the best all-around ab flattening exercise you can
choose. To do crunches lay on the floor
with your knees bent. Place your hands
behind your head or across your chest.
Then simply raise up and forward holding the position for a second
before coming back down. You should feel
the crunches pulling on your abdominal muscles.
If you don't feel that you're probably not doing them properly.
How Many to
Do
Even beginners can complete many crunches. They are easy to do and don't take much
time. To make the experience more
pleasurable you can watch TV or listen to music while you exercise. Start with
three sets of repetitions. Each
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