1. Tummy Isometric Crunch – exhale, then suck in your stomach as far as you can, hold for about 15 seconds. Relax and breathe. Visualize moving your bellybutton straight toward your back. Holding in your tummy muscles and tensing your abs is a good way of firming and strengthening them. You will also become more aware of how to control your tummy muscles. Repeat several times. This exercise can be done anywhere, anytime.

Note – if you have high blood pressure, do not hold your breath for extended periods of time.

2. Rectus Abdominis Tummy Exercises (doesn’t that sound great?):

a. Lie on your back on the floor with bent knees and your feet flat on the floor, knees and feet spread apart the width of your hips.
b. Place your hands gently on the sides of your head for support, spreading your elbows so you cannot see them.
c. With your chin tucked toward your chest, gently curl upward and forward so that your head, neck and shoulder blades lift off the floor and your lower back presses against the floor (if you want, start with your head resting on a pillow which has your head and neck in the correct position to begin).
d. Pause just a moment, then gently return to the starting position.
e. Repeat several times.

Note – do not use your arms to complete the curl. If you can see your elbows, you’re cheating. Do not put your feet under anything since this lessens the effectiveness of these types of flat tummy exercises. If this female abs exercise is too difficult for you, do the next one below.

3. Sit-Back Flat Tummy Exercises – if your female abs muscles are weak and you have trouble lifting yourself off the floor in #2 above, here is an alternate flat tummy exercise for you:

a. Start in a sitting position on the floor with your knees bent, feet flat on the floor (secure your feet under a piece of furniture).
b. Cross your arms over your chest and roll your head and shoulders forward toward your chest.
c. Gently and slowly lean back, keeping your head and shoulders tucked. Continue until you begin to feel your stomach muscles contracting.
d. Then try to lean back just a bit more if you can and hold that position until your muscles start shaking. Try to hold this position with your muscles shaking for five seconds, then ease back to the upright sitting position.
e. Repeat in a few seconds.

4. Reducing Chewing Exercises – yes, as in jaw muscles used for excessive chewing as in overeating. Reducing overeating or exercising those jaw muscles less may be necessary to have great female abs. No one can see your great female abs if they are covered with body fat! Having great female abs may require losing some body fat. Losing body fat means:

a. Cardio exercise on a regular basis – getting the heartbeat up with fun whole-body workouts several times a week.
b. Healthy eating habits – eating healthy foods, eliminating sodas/junk food and taking in fewer calories than you burn each day.
c. Besides flat tummy exercises, strength training for the whole body – any muscle tissue you add will burn extra calories 24/7.

Besides looking great, having great female abs is about good health. Visually and physically, the midsection is the center of the body and the foundation of strength. Weak abdominals leave a woman weaker looking and vulnerable to lower back pain. At first, the goal is to build up the basic strength in the female abs area with flat tummy exercises. And remember, always check with your health care provider before starting any exercise program. Start out slowly and gradually build up your strength and repetitions.

For great abs and good health, the ideal is to reduce body fat down to no lower than 15-20% for women. Sometimes, doing flat tummy exercises is the EASY part, losing excess body fat is the TOUGH part. Eat right, exercise right — it may take time, just don’t give up on your dream of having those great female abs.

Home Page

Copyright 2005 InfoSearch Publishing

Author: Olinda Rola

Olinda Rola is President of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com – a website of physician-recommended natural treatments and articles for a variety of health issues. Visit the website for an excellent free Permanent Weight Loss report you can view online right now.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Olinda_Rola

Tweet This Post

Technorati Tags: A Flat Tummy, exercise, female abs, fitness, flat tummy, health, physical, tummy exercises, tummy muscles

Long Term Benefits Of Physical Fitness

Regular physical activity offers numerous benefits to your overall health. Physical fitness plays a major role in the proper function of your body and your mind. When you exercise on a regular basis, you feel energized, alert, and fit. Here are a few of the benefits you will be reaping by incorporating fitness into your daily schedule.

The first benefit of physical fitness is warding off disease. Physical activity has been known to slow down or prevent numerous diseases, such as: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, and heart disease. On top of its disease fighting abilities, a regular fitness regimen can help you slow down the aging process. When you exercise, your joints and your muscles become stronger and more flexible, which reduces your chances of developing numerous age related ailments.

The second benefit of physical activity is stress reduction. Fitness is a great distraction from our every day troubles and it gives us a chance to rid our bodies of excess energy which might otherwise increase stress levels. The third benefit of regular physical activity is weight maintenance. Exercise has always been a major factor for those who wish to lose weight. Even a person who is taking the best diet pills and consuming the healthiest diet can benefit from physical fitness. Some people swear by the results they get from regular physical activity along with the all natural appetite suppressant known as hoodia. Aside from aiding with weight loss, regular exercise also boosts your brain power. By increasing your energy levels you increase the serotonin in your brain, this in return leads to improved mental clarity. So the next time you find yourself doubting what physical fitness can do for you, read over this article and imagine all of the health benefits you could be gaining right now.

By: skindeep13

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Lyla Feldman writes health articles about fitness and nutrition. Some of her favorite passions include studying the medicinal benefits of herbal remedies, colon cleansing and weight loss products.

Tweet This Post

Technorati Tags: activity, benefits, benefits physical fitness, exercise, fitness, health, health physical fitness, Life Time Physical Fitness, physical health