People exercise for varied reasons, some for health considerations; some to keep fit and have a body-to-die-for. Who doesn't want to have firm abs and a trim waist? But don't be swayed by fads and myths. There's no such thing as spot reduction.
When exercising, you use up energy which are calculated in calories. As you use up enough of your available energy in your body so that it decreases your sugar levels, your body then consumes stored energy. This type of energy comes from fat and adipose tissues.
But that process takes place non-selectively. You don't get to choose which fat deposits the body converts. That means, you can't 'spot reduce' by working on your abs. The effect is still achievable, but doing abdominal exercises alone doesn't target that fat.
While working on your abs, you develop strength in that part of your body in the form of muscle mass. This is benefits you in a lot of ways. It retains a firm and strong layer of muscle that makes sure that your stomach and other internal organs remain within the area of your hips. This gives your abs a firm look.
Abdominal exercises help in another way, too. Since the abdominals are large muscles, they consume a proportionately larger percentage of energy than, say, your jaw muscles. That means that as you work them, they have to be supplied with more energy to move through the range of the exercise. That burns many calories, resulting in weight loss and fat reduction.
There is no gadget, supplement or drug currently on the market that will do that safely and effectively as a substitute. It can only be done through proper diet and regular, moderate to heavy exercise. There's no shortcut to a trim waist, at least not yet.
The effect is also limited by genetics and age. Some people store more fat around the middle more readily than others. Gender, obviously, makes a difference as well.
It is natural for women in their 40s to have a problem with their mid-section and lower abdomen. Men of the same age group tend to have 'love handles' on their sides. All these are inevitable and it naturally comes with aging.
In order to achieve the desired effect you have to approach muscle fatigue. There's no need to perform a hundred crunches to accomplish that. Done correctly, 20 reps is enough. You don't even have to go to the gym. You can do pelvic tilts while sitting in a chair in the office.
But for best effect, warm up and try the following:
Lie on your back. Cross your arms around your chest and raise your knees. Lift your upper body. Hold this position for 30 seconds. You should feel your abs tightening. This is the effect you want to achieve. To increase degree of difficulty, put your hands at the side of your head. But do not use your hands to lift your head. Let the abdominal muscles do the work. For maximum difficulty put your hands above your head and lift your shoulders and upper body, then hold. Feel your abs tighten and contract.
Feel the burn. Repeat daily for 10 minutes or twenty reps. In a few weeks, you'll see definite results.
When exercising, you use up energy which are calculated in calories. As you use up enough of your available energy in your body so that it decreases your sugar levels, your body then consumes stored energy. This type of energy comes from fat and adipose tissues.
But that process takes place non-selectively. You don't get to choose which fat deposits the body converts. That means, you can't 'spot reduce' by working on your abs. The effect is still achievable, but doing abdominal exercises alone doesn't target that fat.
While working on your abs, you develop strength in that part of your body in the form of muscle mass. This is benefits you in a lot of ways. It retains a firm and strong layer of muscle that makes sure that your stomach and other internal organs remain within the area of your hips. This gives your abs a firm look.
Abdominal exercises help in another way, too. Since the abdominals are large muscles, they consume a proportionately larger percentage of energy than, say, your jaw muscles. That means that as you work them, they have to be supplied with more energy to move through the range of the exercise. That burns many calories, resulting in weight loss and fat reduction.
There is no gadget, supplement or drug currently on the market that will do that safely and effectively as a substitute. It can only be done through proper diet and regular, moderate to heavy exercise. There's no shortcut to a trim waist, at least not yet.
The effect is also limited by genetics and age. Some people store more fat around the middle more readily than others. Gender, obviously, makes a difference as well.
It is natural for women in their 40s to have a problem with their mid-section and lower abdomen. Men of the same age group tend to have 'love handles' on their sides. All these are inevitable and it naturally comes with aging.
In order to achieve the desired effect you have to approach muscle fatigue. There's no need to perform a hundred crunches to accomplish that. Done correctly, 20 reps is enough. You don't even have to go to the gym. You can do pelvic tilts while sitting in a chair in the office.
But for best effect, warm up and try the following:
Lie on your back. Cross your arms around your chest and raise your knees. Lift your upper body. Hold this position for 30 seconds. You should feel your abs tightening. This is the effect you want to achieve. To increase degree of difficulty, put your hands at the side of your head. But do not use your hands to lift your head. Let the abdominal muscles do the work. For maximum difficulty put your hands above your head and lift your shoulders and upper body, then hold. Feel your abs tighten and contract.
Feel the burn. Repeat daily for 10 minutes or twenty reps. In a few weeks, you'll see definite results.
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