How to get a flat tummy

photo credit: lululemon athletica

To get a flat tummy you need to take a double headed approach: diet and exercise. You need to put about 80% of your energy in to getting your diet right. And for the exercise, you need to make sure you doing a mixture of high intensity, low intensity, static and resistance exercises. We want to burn calories and boost your metabolism whilst building muscle.

1. Reduce meal sizes by 10%
If you can reduce your meal sizes by 10% you will begin a very good habit that will allow you to lose over 10kg of fat each year. And, more importantly, you will establish a routine that will stop you from gaining the fat back.

You see, a flat and tight tummy comes from losing the fat that is covering your ab muscles. The best way to do this is by reducing the amount of energy you consume over the long term. Try not going back for seconds at dinner time and buying smaller bowls so you eat smaller sized meals.

2. Drink water before every meal
In the same fashion, by drinking a tall glass of water before every meal you will reduce the size of your appetite. This will help you consume less calories and therefore spend less time at the gym. Every time you eat something you should have a glass of water first. Its easy.

3. Eat before you get hungry
Don’t wait until you are starving. Eat before you get hungry. The idea here is that you will eat a lot less and snack on less junk food. Eat when you are hungry and eat until you are full. This is very important.

4. Exercise every single day, even just a bit
I have an exercise bike in my TV room. I will pick one TV show per day and ride the bike during that show. For example, if you like watching the news you can ride your bike while you watch. If you don’t have a bike you can do sit ups, push ups and other types of exercise. Do it every single day and you will burn so many calories while you feel like you are relaxing at home.

5. Drink green tea
Green tea can help you speed up your metabolism and keeps you healthy and well. It also works towards keeping you feeling full.

6. Do high intensity exercise twice a week
We have written so much on the benefits of high intensity exercise. It builds up your muscles and gets your metabolism boosting. It also burns a lot more calories than a slow walk on the treadmill. Take a look at this article for some other ideas. Some of my favorites are:

• Capoeira
• Kickboxing
• Jumping Rope

7. Do Pilates for your abs
Pilates abs exercises are a great way to get a flat tummy. Some of the best ones are the swiss ball jack knife and the Pilates crunch.

Conclusion

A flat tummy is achievable but it takes time and discipline. Every woman can do it as long as you have the right tools. Read this blog and all our archives and you will have more than enough real information to start you on your flat tummy journey.