How To Tighten Your Stomach Muscles

Tighten Your Tummy!

The tummy area is a problem area for many people, not only for those of you that have had children. Those who want to shrink the size of their belly are numerous. Eating a well balanced diet, full of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, in smaller portions, is an excellent place to start.

A well balanced diet, while losing weight should be totally void of sugar. Sugar is highly addictive and until your adulterated taste buds, poor eating habits and exercise routine have gotten under control, it should be avoided at all cost. Sugar substitutes should not be used to replace the sugar as the chemicals are toxic to your body and they only perpetuate the sugar addiction, rather than curbing it.

There are some really good diets out now that teach you how to mix up the way you eat to confuse the body's metabolism. Using these diets along with exercise are a sure winner as you not only improve your looks by getting rid of fat, but you get a healthier you as a bonus!

There are also some great stomach exercises to help along with the process that can be done in the privacy of your own home. The exercises discussed below meet this description, as they are specifically designed to strengthen and tighten your stomach muscles, and therefore, the size of your tummy, however they should be incorporated into a full body exercise routine, such as Yoga or Pilates as a few examples.

The Truth About Abs offers another fantastic exercise routine that are geered more towards men. In the end you will have to decide what is best for your body and decide what you will be able to commit to.

These particular exercises are designed for the beginners, so give them a try if you are just starting out. Once you have mastered these, feel free to advance to something more challenging. When doing these exercises, it is important to move slowly so as to maintain control and not allow momentum to take over. As with any workout routine, be sure to consult a professional before beginning and always warm up properly to avoid injury.

Vertical Leg Crunch

This is a variation on the traditional crunch that focuses more specifically on tightening stomach muscles and reducing belly fat. To begin this stomach exercise, first lie on your back on a flat surface, such as the floor. Use a mat or towel to cushion your spine, if need be. Put your hands behind your head, with elbows out far enough that they are out of sight. Now lift your legs straight up into the air, crossing your ankles and bending your knees slightly. Contract your abdominals, pulling them towards the floor, as you lift your shoulders, head and upper back up to about a thirty degree angle. Be aware of not lifting with your hands or leading with your head. Do not create any stress on the back of the neck with your hands, as you are using your shoulders to lift.

Hold for a count of 5 and while remaining in total control return back to a flat position on the floor. Repeat 5 times. If it is too difficult to do 5 then do what ever is comfortable without straining yourself. Every day try to increase until you are able to do to 5. repetitions. Increase repetitions to 10 when you are able.

Long Arm Crunch

For this stomach exercise, remain on the floor with your knees bent, facing the ceiling, and feet flat on the floor. Lie back and extend your arms straight back on the floor as though you are reaching above your head. Contract your abs, pulling them towards the floor, and slowly lift your arms, head and shoulders off the floor to about a thirty degree angle. Hold it for a count of 3, then slowly lower your shoulders back to the floor. Repeat 5 times. Be careful not to lead with your arms, keeping them straight and alongside your head. If 5 is too difficult then do what ever is comfortable without straining yourself. Every day try to increase until you are able to do to 5 repetitions. Increase repetitions to 10 when you are able.

Hip Lift

You will need to stay on your back for this stomach exercise. Use a mat or towel to cushion your spine. Put your arms at your sides with palms facing up to the ceiling. Put your legs straight up in the air so that the soles of your feet are facing the ceiling and your legs make about a ninety degree angle with your torso. Keep your knees unbent and as straight as possible. Now, contract your ab muscles so hat it feels like your belly button is being pulled toward your spine, while at the same time gently lifting your hips off the floor. Raise your hips to height of a few inches, keeping your legs extended straight upward. Hold this position, then slowly lower your hips back to the floor. Repeat for an entire set.

Seated Torso Twist

Stay on the floor for this stomach exercise, getting into a seated position. Bend your knees so that your feet are flat on the floor and your knees are pointing upward towards the ceiling. Position your feet about hip width apart. Extend your arms straight out in front of you, interlocking your fingers. Contract your abdominals and lean back about forty-five degrees. Holding the contraction, rotate your torso as far to one side as you are comfortably able. Use your abdominals to control this motion so that your upper body moves at once, do not lead with your arms. Remember to keep your arms in from of you with fingers locked-- pretend you are aiming an imaginary gun. Once you have rotated as far as you feel comfortable, rotate back to center, then to the other side. Repeat these steps for an entire set of 3 on each side, alternating left first, then right for a total of 6. Take care to go slow and keep a controlled movement. Do not allow your momentum to twist you.

Broomstick Twist

Sit upright, holding a stick across the back of your shoulders. Twist from side to side, slowly, first to the left and hold for 5 counts while keeping spine straight, and head and eyes looking forward, then to the right and hold for 5 while keeping spine straight, and head and eyes looking forward.

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