
I'm a non-athletic girly girl. If you asked me to run a mile, or play basketball.. I would really struggle. So, maybe it's just genes or maybe it's luck... but just maybe it's the way I live my life that makes me have a flat tummy.
I've sectioned AB FAB into 3 parts - Exercise, Diet and Trickery! (One part each day, starting today with Exercise)
Holly Jean's 6 AB FAB Exercises
I don't believe in spending hours pounding away at the gym. But here are a few simple and quite pretty looking exercises that you can incorporate into your week. :)
Exercise 1- Crunches:
Using an exercise ball to do crunches really works your core abdominal muscles. Lie with your back molded to the ball. You should try to place the small of your back right on top of the ball.
Do your crunches as usual, bringing the upper half of your body up.
People always ask me for numbers- so I'd day 3 sets of 10, about 3 times a week. But really, I'd just do as many as I can while still feeling good. Some days I can do more, other days I suck... exercise at your own pace, no sweat.
Exercise 2- Hanging Leg raises:
This exercise isolates and works on your lower abs.
Position yourself in the hanging leg raise machine with your hands holding the grips and your forearms resting on the padded arm rests. Keep your lower back against the back rest and keep your chin down toward your chest. Allow your legs to hang down with heels together.
Now, use your lower ab muscles to lift your legs straight up in front of you in a slow and controlled movement. Do not swing your legs or use your lower back to lift. I just do as many as i can (which is not many! very difficult!)
Exercise 3- Stepping: Spot reduction (working on one spot of the body only) sounds like a great idea. However, for the abdominal area, no matter how strong your core is, or how much muscles you have in the abs, it will still look flabby if your body is flabby. So spend a bit of time on the stepper or treadmill (I hate running.. so bloody boring.. and my knees hate the pounding). I prefer the stepper because it also helps shape the calf muscles!
No stepper? Just go up and down a flight of stairs while listening to music or yakking on the phone.
Exercise 4 - Floor Work:Go on your arms and knees. Stick out your left arm and right leg, keeping them parallel to the floor. Hold it there for as long as you can, and feel the stretch. Repeat for other side.
Another exercise I love is this one ( don't know what it's called). Lie on your front. Then lift yourself onto your elbows and forearms, and toes. Almost like a push up position. Keep your knees off the floor. Make sure your body is straight, do not arch your back or stick out your tummy. You may need to be by a mirror to check. Stay in this position as long as you can. You will feel your abs burn.
Exercise 6 - Lower Back:
If you cannot get to an inclined platform like the one in the picture, you can also do this exercise on the floor. Lying face down, put your hands to the side of your head and lift your upper body up. Do about 3 sets of 10.
Comments
Biao yong and anonymous 4.13pm, thanks for clearing tht up.. yes.. i think it is called the plank
If tht is the case, then you should focus of taking in less calories, and swapping to healthier natural foods like vegs (for fibre and bulk), and focus on Exercise 3 (or any other cardio workout... like running), as I said, we cannot achieve a flat tummy if the rest of us is flabby.
Don't give up ok! It's do-able!
I've never been to the American Club gym... does it look like this?
went down there for a "tour" a couple of months back.. it's a bit too cramp for my comfort ( the paragon one).
if we didn't have the machine and how does it work without the machine.
i don't really understand.
because i don't go gym,so i wish i can do it at home.
thanks.