Flat stomach...

[Nevaeh1282]

For those of you with washboard abs... what exercises do you do to keep them like that? I've always had a flat stomach because I'm a naturally skinny person... but lately I've found I have a slight pudginess developing around my lower abdomen. I never had the muscle definition... but I sure would like to get a hint of a six-pack going on and shift that pudginess! :lol:
So besides sit-ups and reverse crunches, are there any other tips?

[cheetarah1980]

If you have a layer of fat over your abdominal muscles you'll never see that six pack. Combine cardio (to burn fat) with light resistance training (to build lean muscle which boosts your metabolism) and a variety of abdominal exercises. You might want to try Pilates because those exercises really engage and shape your core muscles.

[Nevaeh1282]

If you have a layer of fat over your abdominal muscles you'll never see that six pack. Combine cardio (to burn fat) with light resistance training (to build lean muscle which boosts your metabolism) and a variety of abdominal exercises. You might want to try Pilates because those exercises really engage and shape your core muscles.

Cool. I don't want a full fledged six-pack though... just a hint of one and shift the little mound that is formin on my lower abdomen...lol.

Thanks for the tips.

[pressncurl]

Pilates . . . great for flattening the lower abdomen.

[Nevaeh1282]

Pilates . . . great for flattening the lower abdomen.

Interesting... I've been asking around and pilates seems to be the most popular answer... I can be down with that...lol

[Dare~to~Dream]

Is everyone doing pilates at home? If so, what are you using?

[SplashAtl]

Can anyone recommend a good pilates for the stomach home DVD? Thanks!

[Ayeshia]

Pilates work..Ive never done it but Ive seen folks with a strict pilates regimen turn out with great results :yep: esp with the lower abdominal area. A lot of these exercises designed for abs build muscle "out" instead of flat and streamlined. so be careful.

[Dare~to~Dream]

Pilates work..Ive never done it but Ive seen folks with a strict pilates regimen turn out with great results :yep: esp with the lower abdominal area. A lot of these exercises designed for abs build muscle "out" instead of flat and streamlined. so be careful.

These are the pilates exercises that build "muscle out" right? Hmm...

[HoneyDew]

I would not claim to have a 6-pack, but I do have a flat stomach and I have a child.

I so think some of it is genetics, but I do pilates regularly to keep my stomach in order.


Edited to add:

Keeping an optimal Body Fat Percentage is NECESSARY, too!

[Ayeshia]

These are the pilates exercises that build "muscle out" right? Hmm...
no not pilates, but other ab videos in general....There are some ab excercises designed to build/bulk up the abdominal area and those arent the ones you want. Ive seen people turn out with nice definition but they built bulk muscle on their tummy causing their stomach to poke out instead of making it flat and muscular... Usually its the wrong exercises along with body postioning that causes this. But pilates is legit :yep:

[Dare~to~Dream]

no not pilates, but other ab videos in general....There are some ab excercises designed to build/bulk up the abdominal area and those arent the ones you want. Ive seen people turn out with nice definition but they built bulk muscle on their tummy causing their stomach to poke out instead of making it flat and muscular... Usually its the wrong exercises along with body postioning that causes this. But pilates is legit :yep:

Okay, thanks for the info.! I was wondering if it was the regular ab exercises or pilates that caused the problem(s) you mentioned. I've always had an interest in pilates but I wanted to take classes (much too expensive for just one 30 minute session!)...I'm going to look into good DVDs instead. :)

[SplashAtl]

Okay, thanks for the info.! I was wondering if it was the regular ab exercises or pilates that caused the problem(s) you mentioned. I've always had an interest in pilates but I wanted to take classes (much too expensive for just one 30 minute session!)...I'm going to look into good DVDs instead. :)


I've always heard you should hold your stomach in while exercising. Not sure if its true but I do it.

[Chocogurl1der]

Windsor Pilates is great. It worked wonders for me....too bad I didn't stick with it :p

[Chocogurl1der]

I've always heard you should hold your stomach in while exercising. Not sure if its true but I do it.


You pull your ab muscles in towards your spine as you execute the move
HTH

Denitra

[SplashAtl]

You pull your ab muscles in towards your spine as you execute the move
HTH

Denitra


Great! Thank you.

[Divine Inspiration]

I don't have 6 pack abs, but I definitely have a flat stomach with definition (which the way I prefer it).

I definitely agree with the ladies who suggested removing the layer of fat over them. Even if you do 9 million situps, you'll never see any ripples until you get the fat off so cardio is a good place to start.

Spinning has done some amazing things to my midsection as has my occasional pilates class. With spinning, you MUST keep your abs contracted to protect your back and inevitably, your core tightens. I've also done stability ball workouts which have been very effective.

If you belong to a gym, check to see if they have an abs only class. I prefer to do an hour of cardio and then do a 30 minute ab class.

[Nonie]

You pull your ab muscles in towards your spine as you execute the move
HTH

Denitra
That's exactly what I was going to say. No matter what ab muscle toning program you do, if you do not pull your ab muscles in while you do the exercise, you will get a firm tummy but it'll be protruding. I used to find it difficult - not impossible - to pull my tummy in w/o affecting my breathing, until I came across an article where a lady had abs like Beyonce's
http://inlinethumb33.webshots.com/6752/2313026950101490711S600x600Q85.jpg
...and she suggested that while you doing the ab exercises, focus on pulling in the area below you navel and aim to keep that area pulled in throughout the reps of each ab exercise. That little tweak there solved my breathing problem and I find it really does help. But you have to really concentrate hard on keeping that area in (at least I find *I* have to). After I've done an ab working using this technique, my tummy feels so tight that I find it difficult to let it stick out. It almost hurts not to keep it pulled in after a workout done this way.

[Dare~to~Dream]

That's exactly what I was going to say. No matter what ab muscle toning program you do, if you do not pull your ab muscles in while you do the exercise, you will get a firm tummy but it'll be protruding.
When I was doing the Lotte Berke DVDs, the instructor always reminded you to pull your stomach muscles/abs in while doing all the techniques.

[dillard]

I've also heard great things about Pilates especially for lower abs. I'm gonna start doing them too cuz I feel a little pouch coming on!