Provided by Sarah Grant
Wish you were more hourglass than pear? Bummed that you’re sporting a baby bump
WAIST-ENHANCER PLAN
The best way to get those fab abs is with a combination of intense cardiovascular exercise, abdominal strength training
Cardiovascular Training: 4 to 6 times a week for 30 minutes or more. Exercise as intensely as possible to get bang for your buck in calorie burning. If you want to tone your midsection, pick an activity that is challenging for you. If you’re someone who regularly walks, try jogging, swimming or spinning.
Strength Training: 2 to 4 times a week, perform progressive resistance movements. Try our stability ball exercises (below) to get started
Stretching: Just 10 minutes at the end of every workout will help with your recovery
Nutrition: Eat 5 to 6 smaller meals per day that include lean protein (chicken, fish, egg whites or tofu), fibrous carbs (unprocessed vegetables
AB BREAKDOWN
All these muscles contribute to a flat tummy.
· Oblique (internal
· Rectus Abdominis: Forms the classic
· Transversus Abdominis: Hidden beneath the rectus. Acts as a girdle to flatten your middle.
FAT FACTS
Even the most developed abs can be hidden under layers of fat.
· Subcutaneous Fat: Found all over the body beneath the skin (like cellulite on the back of your legs
· Visceral Fat: Surrounds internal organs
TOP 5 MYTHS
1. Ab exercises get rid of abdominal fat.
Fact: For a healthy
2. For best results, train your abs every day. Fact: Your abs need at least one day of rest to recover
3. Certain supplements target your abs.
Fact: You can’t spot-reduce body fat with supplements.
4. Using additional weight to work your abs will give you a smaller midsection.
Fact: Proper form is more important than adding weight. Focus on form
5. Crunches are the best ab exercise.
Fact: Training your abs with a combination of exercises will produce better results. Varying the exercise helps ensure that you consistently make improvements without reaching a plateau. Targeting all abdominal muscle fibres will help you achieve a more balanced midsection.
These simple do’s
DO
· Do contract your abs in 2-3 inch movements.
· Do keep your abs tight
· Do crunch with a controlled speed
DON'T
· Don’t use a large range of motion.
· Don’t pause or relax your abs during the movement.
· Don’t crunch too fast.
Get into position Put the ball under the lower/middle back area. The lower back should be pressed into the ball throughout the exercise.
Step 1 Slowly curl your trunk, pressing your ribcage down toward your hips, allowing your shoulders
Step 2 Slowly return to the starting position
Get into position Place the ball on the floor next to a wall. Kneel on the floor between the wall
Step 1 Stretch sideways over the stability ball with your arms bent
Step 2 Slowly lower yourself back to your original position
Get into position Place both feet on top of the stability ball. Press your heels into the ball
Step 1 Curl your trunk, pressing your ribcage down toward your hips
Step 2 Lower yourself back down to the starting position
© Copyright,
As seen in the June Issue of Main Street Magazine.
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