3 Steps to a Tighter Tummy

Unless you have been living under a rock for the past decade, you have probably noticed the importance that society has placed on women looking their best. All forms of media – print, digital, film and television – are constantly driving this impression.  If you want to enhance your body image, tightening the stomach area is a great place to start.  Full disclosure is necessary before we begin; tightening your tummy is not going to be easy. It is one of the most challenging areas of the body to hone. But nonetheless, challenging is not tantamount to impossible. So let us get started.

1. Exercise on a regular basis.

Going on a diet and avoiding certain foods is necessary for weight loss.  But if you choose to tighten your tummy, you had better be prepared for a vigorous and regular exercise routine. In order to effectively tighten your tummy, you first need to remove the layer of fat that is covering the muscles underneath.

A good exercise to start with is a push-up. 

• Assume a prone position on the floor, keeping your feet together at the ankles
• Position your hands palms-down on the floor, approximately shoulder width apart
• Raise yourself using your arms
• Lower your torso to the ground until your elbows form a 90 degree angle
• Raise yourself by attempting to push the ground away from you
• Repeat the process (3 sets of 10 repetitions each)

Assuming the plank position is another great exercise.

• Assume a prone position on the floor
• Position your forearms on the floor with your shoulders aligned directly over your elbows
• Raise yourself up while keeping your forearms firmly on the floor, maintaining a straight line between your shoulders and toes
• Tighten your abdominal muscles and hold for ten seconds
• Repeat three times

You should also try an abdominal hip raise.

• Lay down on the floor with your head, back and buttocks planted firmly on the ground
• Bend your knees and plant your feet on the ground, relaxing your arms and hands at your side
• Use the muscles in your abdomen, lower back, and hamstrings (not your arms) to lift your hips and buttocks off the ground
• Raise your hips as high as you can
• Lower your body back to the ground
• Repeat the process (3 sets of 10 repetitions each)

 2. Reduce stress.

As if we needed another reminder about how detrimental a stressful lifestyle is, here is one more – high stress levels contribute to tummy fat. So no matter how determined you are to tighten your tummy, don’t stress yourself out in the process! Whether it’s taking a few minutes out of your busy days to soak in a lavender bubble bath, engaging in yoga, writing in your journal, or laughing with a loved one, try to keep your stress levels down.

3.       Choose the right foods.

Exercise is essential to tightening your tummy, but the tightening process is incomplete without a healthy diet.  If you are incapable of sticking to a super-restrictive weight loss diet plan, try these simple tips.   

Try to include one to two servings of vegetables at each meal.  Vegetables are nutritionally dense and low in calories.  Plus, they will make you feel full longer than junk food.  Drink plenty of water and avoid sugary beverages.  When possible, choose proteins over carbohydrates.  Consuming enough protein is essential if you want to tone and strengthen muscles. 

Follow these steps and soon you will be on the fast track to a tighter tummy!

After years of fighting her body into submission, Sarah Koebrick has finally achieved the killer body she has always craved.  Thanks to Trim Nutrition, her hCG injection diet, and lots of hard work, Sarah has managed to lose weight and keep it off.