How to Flatten Your Abs

One of the most common places to gain weight is in the stomach area.  This region seems to more easily show weight gain as fat settles to form a pouch. Unfortunately the ab area is also one of the hardest places to lose weight.  That's because the fat tends to cover the underlying muscles.  Unlike our caveman ancestors modern man doesn't use the abdominal muscles on a daily basis.  Once the ab muscles aren't used they can be hard to work with.

The key to flatter abs lies in a two-fold plan.  This includes both diet and exercise. Exercise alone will not usually have enough of an impact on the abdominal muscles to facilitate change.  Real change will come from a weight loss diet that cuts back on caloric intake.  No matter what you do if you want to lose weight you'll have to cut calories and watch your diet.

Certain exercises are essential in working to strengthen the abdominal muscles.  It's important to understand where the abs are located in order to properly exercise for them.  The abdominal muscles are the muscles under the stomach area.  They reach from the upper pelvic region to just under the breastbone.  To reduce the fat that has accumulated you need to wrok with the underlying abdominal muscles.

There are two basic exercises that will help you strengthen and flatten your abs.  These include sit-ups and crunches.  These are similar exercises that both target the middle section of the body.  As the abs become stronger you'll benefit by having a flatter stomach, better posture and better back support.

Sit-ups

Recommended for those with no prior back problems sit-ups are simple exercises that can help flatten the abs.  To properly perform sit-ups you'll need to lay on the floor with your back flat on the ground.  Place your hands behind your head and raise your body up trying to touch your elbows to your knees.  If needed get someone to help hold your ankles down to keep the proper form.

Crunches

Easier to do than sit-ups crunches are the best all-around ab flattening exercise you can choose.  To do crunches lay on the floor with your knees bent.  Place your hands behind your head or across your chest.  Then simply raise up and forward holding the position for a second before coming back down.  You should feel the crunches pulling on your abdominal muscles.  If you don't feel that you're probably not doing them properly.

How Many to Do

Even beginners can complete many crunches.  They are easy to do and don't take much time.  To make the experience more pleasurable you can watch TV or listen to music while you exercise. Start with three sets of repetitions.  Each repetition should have 25 crunches per set.   Don't worry if you can't do that many.  Try doing as many as you can.  You'll feel the muscles begin to work.  Doing crunches daily will help you increase your stamina and muscle tone.  Soon you can increase the number of repetitions that you complete.