"It is better to be rich and healthy than poor and sick." (Dave Barry)
There is no doubt that being healthy is a goal for most adults. Having a small, firm waist is the key to wearing today's fashions, but not everyone has the ideal body shape.
In the quest for good health, the overweight population has thrown millions of dollars at the problem. The weight loss industry is huge - and understandably so. Almost 65% of Americans are overweight or obese. Not only does this carry a personal price tag, but it puts a strain on the US health care system to the tune of $93 billion dollars per year - and growing.
The message is getting through about weight loss, but sadly people are taking the wrong steps to shed those pounds. Judging by the amount of money thrown at 'diet pills' and the ab-shaper type machines sold in infomercials, people believe that there are quick fixes and short cuts to fat loss.
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Cardio diminishes abs. I don’t know if you like that answer, but running, walking very fast, cycling, kickboxing, hiking, etc. All these things that really get your heart rate up and keep it up for about an hour most days of the week will make your stomach flat. I would add 10 minutes or so to your workouts with some ab work like crunches and/or machines and that will help crunches alone will not make them flat!
Abs are the hardest muscle to get good visible definition on. To get from here to there, you need to do a number of things
first and foremost diet, the only way to get down to the bodyfat percentage to see your abs (10% bodyfat or less) is to really count calories and watch everything you eat, even the slightest bad food will show up in your gut.
Eating alone won’t get you to the correct caloric deficit to really get the fat that far down, so you are going to have to get on a pretty strict cardio plan. Make an effort to walk for 45 minutes everyday and three or more days a week, do something that will get you to build up a good sweat.
Lastly and ironically the least important are ab specific exercises there are four areas to focus on for your abs the upper abs, lower abs, left and right obliques. It is good to do isolated exercises for each group.
Crunches are great for upper abs
Leg Lifts are great for lower abs
Russian Twists are great for obliques.
Do each one until you can’t do anymore and then repeat for a total of three sets.
If you look at youtube they have the “8 minute abs” video and as cheesy as it is, it’s a great ab workout.
Another thing to look for on youtube are pilates ab exercises there are some great ones there.
from the web and others
Buy a pilates dvd and use it to exercise your abs 3 times a week with one day breaks only in-between workouts. It won’t nessecarily give you a six pack, but it will flatten and tone your abs.
…Anyways, if you can’t find one, try this awesome ab move called “air bike”. Some people call it twisting crunches but who cares what it’s called? It works your whole midsection(except for the lower back).
Lie on your back and put your hands behind your head. Raise your legs so your thighs are perpendicular and your lower legs are just above parallel to the floor. Curl up and bring your left elbow toward your right side while drawing your right knee in to meet it. It is like you are riding a bike. Alternate sides, continuing the motion back and forth. Remember, don’t just flap your elbow across your body, actually rotate your shoulder across and squeeze your abs.
P.S. = Just like what the guy at the top of the page said, the best way to lose bodyfat is by cardio.