3 Steps to Sexy Abs
A flat, toned stomach is one of the top fitness goals for Americans, but it involves more than doing hundreds of crunches every day. Follow these 3 critical steps and you will be on your way to sexy abs:
- Eat and drink healthy. Foods with refined foods and sugars, as well as alcoholic beverages, promote bloating in the abdominal area. Eating a diet with lean protein, veggies, and fruits and limiting sugary and alcoholic beverages will decrease water retention.
- Do cardio... and that doesn't include hundreds of crunches on a daily basis. Especially if you are an "apple" shape (one who tends to store fat in the stomach area) you will needs to burn calories, which will involve any physical activity that increases the heart rate for a minimum of 30 minutes most days of the week. Find an activity that you enjoy, such as brisk walking, a new fitness class, cycling, hiking, snowshoeing, running, elliptical trainer, or the Stairmaster.
- Treat your core routine as a strength routine. Why do people consider it o.k. to do 150 sit ups on a daily basis when we do not do 150 bicep curls or 150 squats? The core muscles are muscles like anything else in the body, and will develop tone in just 8 to 20 reps for 2-4 sets. Be sure to find exercises that will fatigue the core muscles in this intensity level, such crunches with a stability ball, BOSU, medicine ball or weights. Pilates and yoga are also great forms of core conditioning.
For specific core exercise programs, consider purchasing our Corewise workout, Pilateswise Abs workout, or our Yoga Strength workout. Please consult your physician before beginning any new form of exercise.
Stay fit while you travel
Traveling can take a toll on one's body, resulting in tight and tired muscles. Follow these simple tips to stay fit and healthy while you travel:
- Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated is one of the best things you can do for your body. Try drinking water on the airplane instead of sugary or caffeinated drinks. If you drink alcohol while flying, as for a water in addition to the beverage. Be sure to drink before you feel thirsty, as thirst is often a sign of dehydration.
- Be sure to get as much rest as possible. Often business travelers have long days of meetings and business dinners. The best thing to do is to plan ahead and try to get at least 6 hours of sleep. It is during sleep that the body replenishes energy stores and rebuilds cellular damage caused by physical activity.
- Call ahead to the hotel to learn if they have a fitness facility, or a discounted guest pass at a nearby gym. Hotel gyms can range from a simple treadmill and free weights to circuit machines. For information about gyms in other cities, go to http://www.healthclubs.org
- Stretch or exercise in your hotel room, even if it for 10 minutes. Stretching the low back, neck and hamstrings (back of the legs) can relieve muscle tension associated with travel. Strength exercises such as pushups, crunches and squats can help maintain strength while on the road.
For more specific exercises that you can do in your hotel room, consider purchasing one of our many downloadable exercise video programs, such as our Travel wise workout, which combine strength, yoga, Pilates and general stretches that can be done in a hotel gym or room.
Release neck tension in 30 seconds
Whether it's sitting all day in front of a computer, commuting, or just plain stress, may people suffer from tight neck muscles. Follow this free video (below) to help you release neck tension.
Note: Please consult your physician before beginning any new form of exercise.
