Flat Abs for Women

Women don't have to lift weights, run miles a day or go on some major crash diet in order to get a flat stomach. The reason most girls exercise the stomach area is not to get a weird six-pack, that makes them look more like a guy than a girl. No, most just want to get rid of a pooch or love handles. A flat stomach is attainable with some simple exercises, as long as you do them regularly and are committed to the time it will take to achieve your goal.

First you have to get into your head that crunches and sit-ups are not going to take care of it all; however, they are important. Crunches or sit- ups take care of your upper stomach area; the part at the bottom of and just below the rib cage. Lay down on your back with your legs bent and your feet flat on the ground. Crisscross your arms in front of your chest. Lift up your torso until you are almost sitting straight up for sit-ups, or roll your shoulders and top portion of your back off the floor for crunches. Do either of these exercises with 3 repetitions of 10 to 15 in each rep to tone the top stomach area.

For true flat abs, you must also concentrate on the lower muscles where the pooch is located . For this you must lift your legs instead of your back. You can do this in a number of ways, but the point is to lift your legs off the ground, while maintaining the rest of your body flat on the ground.

One leg exercise is the bicycle. You lift the legs up about 6 inches from the floor and then move your legs as if you are peddling a bike. Count to 10 while doing this, and then rest the legs for a moment. Repeat the exercise three or four times.

Another flat ab exercise is called the weighted bicycle. First you must get in the proper position before doing the exercise. To do this lie on your back. Leave your right leg bent and your left one extended out. Press your right foot up against your left leg. Place your left arm straight up above your head and right arm behind your neck. Grab the left arm at or below the elbow, with your right hand in order to give support to your left. Now you are ready. Lift both legs up about 6 inches off the ground while keeping them in their current positions. At the same time lift your shoulders off the floor and rotate your right shoulder toward your left side. Repeat 15 times, and them switch to perform the same exercise with the other side.

One of the simplest exercises for the lower abdomen is to lie on your back and simply lift your legs up and down slowly. Yes it isn't a complicated move, but it is very affective. Lift the legs 10 times and then rest. Repeat for 3 reps. As a variation, try lifting the legs with your feet touching and with them spread apart at different intervals. Also try keeping your arms above your head while you do the exercise to give extra resistance. For love handles, lay on your side and lift one led up. Hold it suspended for 10 seconds and slowly lower it. Do 3 reps of 10 each on both sides.