Only ab crunches will not get you a flat belly!

By: Urmi Kothari | | Updated: February 25, 2014 5:57 pm

Did you know that only doing several sets of ab crunches will not give you a flat belly or the trend of the season – six-pack abs. Apart from this, you also need to monitor your diet, overall fitness levels, include other exercises and lose fat and weight overall. Fitness expert Urmi Kothari who heads her label ‘Kinetic Living’ tells you how to get a flat tummy, the right way. Also Read - Do you want a sexy flat stomach? Ditch the gym and try these 5 easy-to-do exercises at home

Crunches are just like any other strengthening exercises but for the core / abdominal muscle. They give the muscles in the trunk a toned and defined look. You need other exercises that give a cardio component to melt the fat from the belly region. So, in addition to doing crunches, one needs to do cardio vascular exercises along with weights either individually or in the form of interval training. Keeping your heart rate elevated through your workouts with minimum rest can create maximum impact. Also Read - Forget Crunches? Try these fun moves to tone your abs

If you are doing isolated exercises for abs, then include exercises that target the upper, middle, lower abs as well as obliques (situated on the lateral and anterior parts of the abdomen). Ideally, 15 reps of each variation and two rounds of the exercises is recommended. Also Read - Get rid of excess belly fat: It increases your risk of early death

Most people do not know how to do crunches correctly and in the process, strain their necks or lower back. One must elevate their shoulder blades while doing the traditional crunches, not jerk up with their necks. One alternative to doing crunches is do planks, side planks, reverse planks which will not only give you firmer and flatter abs (subject to diet and exercise) but also be a workout for the whole body.

Diet is vital

One most important thing is diet. Six-pack abs are made in the kitchen! Exercising regularly, having a gap of at least two hours between your dinner and bed-time, avoiding fried and excessive sugar can help reduce fat in general and thus belly fat.

Eating smaller meals throughout the day at a gap of two-three hours can help speed up metabolism, regulate appetite and thus prevent storage of excess energy from the food as fat.

Once you have a flat tummy, maintaining it is a function of discipline in diet and exercise. Eating good fats and proteins in substantial proportions can help you curb sweet cravings, keep you fuller for longer, satiate you faster and increase fat burn.

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Published : June 7, 2013 10:30 am | Updated:February 25, 2014 5:57 pm

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