Exercise Tips for a Flat Stomach

For many, the quest to attain a flat stomach can be an ongoing battle, especially after having children or for those nearing middle age. Like any other area of your body, getting your stomach in shape takes work. There are no quick fixes or miracle pills that will flatten your stomach. Proper diet and moderate daily exercise are the keys to getting the results you want.

Proper Diet and Exercise

• Improving your eating habits is one of the best ways to lose weight and flatten your stomach. Eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables helps the body burn fat efficiently, because it provides the necessary nutrients that it needs. Make healthy food choices throughout the day and eat smaller meals. No exercise plan will be effective without a healthy diet plan.

  Cardiovascular exercise burns a lot of calories. Surprisingly, walking is one of the best exercises for flattening the stomach. A brisk walk for at least 30 minutes most days of the week will help to reduce overall body fat, including the stomach area, which will lead to a slimmer waistline. Jogging is also another effective cardiovascular exercise that helps to flatten the stomach.

Core Strengthening Exercises

• To get the best results, add core strengthening exercises to your weekly exercise plan. These exercises focus directly on the core muscles of the abdomen. The tighter and stronger these muscles are, the flatter your stomach will appear. There are a variety of abdominal exercises you can perform, but certain exercises produce the best results.

  The most recommended exercise is the abdominal crunch. This is the best exercise to specifically target the abdominal muscles. This simple exercise, which is done while lying on the back and crunching the abdominal muscles, is highly effective in tightening the core muscles of the abdomen.

  The plank is an exercise that creates stability in the deep core muscles of the abdomen. This exercise is achieved by pulling up into a push-up position, with the body resting on the toes and the elbows. Hold this position for 10 seconds while keeping the body in a straight line and pulling the abdomen in tight. Repeat this position three times. Over time, the abdominal muscles will begin to strengthen, and the time holding the position should be lengthened.

Toning the Obliques

• To create the appearance of an overall toned stomach, it is important to also work the sides of the abdominal muscles, called the obliques. There are several exercises that concentrate on the obliques, but the simplest exercise with fast results is a side bend. This is achieved by standing straight with the hands at the sides. Slowly bend to one side and then slowly straighten again. Repeat this motion on both sides of the body. To add resistance, hold a 2-to-5-pound weight in the hand opposite of the side to which you are bending.