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Five Steps To a Flatter Stomach

By Jago Holmes

One of the most frustrating areas to improve on the body and one of the most common problems most women face is a flabby stomach. The problem doesn’t have to be permanent, simply follow my 5 steps to a flatter stomach.

Basically your stomach has two main problems:

Here are my top 5 tips for a flatter stomach:

  1. When you feel those trousers or skirts getting a little tighter act immediately. Start to reduce the amount of junk food or calories you eat and drink and get more active to whittle away that extra inch. It is much easier to lose a couple of pounds than to lose 20 so always stay as close to your ideal shape as possible. Most celebrities and most of my clients stay in good shape all the time and then if they have a wedding or a party or some big occasion to attend they can then get in to even better shape fast.

  2. Start working those stomach muscles. You won’t need a gym to do this. Begin by pulling in the stomach and holding for just a few seconds at a time. Do this sitting down to start with. Sit tall with your chest out, shoulders back, sitting towards the front of your chair. Take a deep breathe and hold the stomach tight. Continue to pull the muscles in for up to 10 seconds, don’t hold your breathe, instead take small breaths. Regularly increase the amount of time you can do this for and do it often. Try to think of trigger times at which to pull your stomach in, for example, when you reach traffic lights in the car, whenever you take a phone call, sitting at your desk, even sitting watching TV. You’ll be amazed at how short a time you can do this for.

  3. Work out regularly – This is the fastest and most effective way to get a flatter stomach. There are no shortcuts to a flatter stomach, unless genetically given you have to work at a tight waistline. Regular workouts, concentrating or cardio, like – cycling, rowing, walking, jogging or stepping help to melt away the fat. To tone the muscles use a variety of stomach exercises. Try to hit the muscles from different angles. Be consistent, remember muscles only stay toned if you need them to – so don’t miss those workouts.

  4. Try Pilates, this is great for strengthening the stomach and lower back muscles which will hold the tummy in tight and give that firm appearance of a flatter stomach. Most Pilates sessions are quite relaxed in nature and all will offer easier options for beginners.

  5. Never sit when you stand – Find yourself floating towards the sofa in the evening? Instead try becoming more active get out in garden, clean the car, wash the windows, walk the dog, play with the kids. You can burn more calories each day by following my calorie blasting do’s and don’ts.

DON’T

Sit don’t in the evening after your tea, find something active to do. Every movement you make will burn calories.

DO

Clean the car - 250 calories per hour
Mow the lawn – 300 calories per hour
Wax the car – 400 calories per hour
Wash the windows – 300 calories per hour
Gardening – 300 calories per hour
Vacuuming – 250 calories per hour

Remember when trying to make changes to your body you must be patient, changes wont happen overnight. But with determination and consistency you can achieve a much flatter stomach. Don t do anything now and the problem wont just go away.

About the Author:

Jago Holmes is a fully qualified YMCA personal trainer, registered on the REPS scheme, with 3 exclusive one to one studios, specialising in weight loss. He can be contacted via his website www.anewimage.co.uk