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Motivation gets you going, habit gets you there! - Zig Ziglar
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Get motivated and start developing the habits you need for fitness success!
Let us help you get your killer summer abs!
Contact us today!
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We all know it's coming. . .
The sun will emerge from the rain/sleet/snow clouds, the weather will heat up, and out will come the shorts, skirts, tank tops AND the bathing suit. If you want to look great this summer and to show off some "killer abs," you'll need to get started now on melting away any layers of winter insulation, aka bodyfat, covering them.
These helpful hints are guaranteed not only to help you achieve better health overall, but also to uncover that slimmer, trimmer waistline:
Choose lean meats and fresh vegetables. You are what you eat so if you want to be lean, you need to eat lean. Watch your portions. Even if a food is "good for you," if you don't watch how much you eat the calories can pile up quickly. You can also allow small cheats of "pleasure foods" on occasion if you know the cost in calories. Move your body. We were made to move. Pure and simple. Food fuels our movement. The bigger the movement, the more fuel (calories) is used. At its lowest common denominator, eat more fuel than you need (metabolism + activity), your body stores it. Eat less, you lose weight. So, go for a brisk walk, ride a bike, swim, a some interval training, come to Boot Camp. Find something to DO! Do something most days of the week. Weight train. Increasing your muscle mass also increases your metabolism. Increasing your metabolism helps you to burn more calories, and therefore more body fat, even long after you've stopped exercising. This doesn't mean you have to lift like a bodybuilder, unless that's your interest, but you do want to work on firming and shaping your muscles. Go to bed. Research has shown that those who don't get enough sleep are more likely to gain weight and have trouble taking it off. This may be due in part the development of a hormonal imbalances due to the loss of rest as well as an increase in the likelihood of late night eating as the body craves an alternative energy source.
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"Our Top 3 Moves for Killer Abs"
While they definitely have their place, having a strong and shapely mid-section means more than just doing a few crunches and sit-ups. Limiting your ab work to those exercises could lead to imbalances in the core muscles which include the gluteals, lower back, and abdominal muscles.
Here are three of our favorite exercises to encourage balanced development and to keep your core in tip-top shape:
Hover.* This exercise is great for encouraging your core and postural muscles to work together. Make sure you keep breathing and press your shoulders down away from your ears with your navel pulled in towards your spine. -- Hold for 30-60 seconds, do 2-3 sets. Egg Roll.* A classic pilates exercise, this one is good for aligning the spine and strengthening the muscles deep to the abdominals. Avoid if you have neck or spinal issues, however. -- Do 2-3 sets of 10 reps. Reverse Curl.* Not only is it great for focusing contracting the area below the navel, it is also helpful for those who have trouble with neck when doing traditional ab crunches. -- Do 2-3 sets of 25 reps.
*Click the links for helpful photos and more info.
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Live. Learn. Move. Thrive!
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