Toned tum tips...

syntheticdarkness · Toned tum tips...

I am after a toned tum and i know i need to do exercise like running or swimming to burn off fat and then i will be able to see any muscles i may have.

who has done this? how long did it take and what did you do for it?

Maybe i should start cycling to college...?

Any other tips?

Synth

xxx

Herr Geist

Swimming is probably one of the best fat burning methods you can possibly imagine. It's also easy on your joints and wont cause problems with various bones, tendons, and muscles.

That won't be enough, though. You have to make sure you're dieting properly, too. This doesn't mean stop eating, it just means that you have to change what you eat and how frequently. Amazingly, the answer is to eat more often. Instead of 3 normal sized meals a day, you should try to eat 5 smaller meals a day. Don't eat until you're full. Just eat until you're not hungry. This helps the metabolism because the body starts to burn what you take in quicker knowing it will be fed again soon. That also prevents the body from storing all the fats from the food you're taking in. Put a good work out routine on top of that and you'll start shedding unwanted stuff quickly.

STAY AWAY FROM THE ATKINS DIET! You'll need to take in good carbs to prevent cholesterol problems. Use Google to find foods with good carbs that suit you. Also, you'll need a good source of protein and a good serving of greens. Baked/grilled fish, baked/grilled chicken, veggies, and egg noodles or brown rice for good carbs are all great sources for what you'll need. Stay away from fried food and try to keep all fats out of it. Don't slather anything in butter and lay low on the salt intake.

Once you start shedding the actual body fat (not calling you fat), to really tone or flatten the abs I definitely recommend pilates. You can get the DVD instructional videos. They work well so long as you follow them exactly. I personally don't use pilates but all the girls I know that have stayed serious about it have ended up with some amazing looking tummies. Pilates will give you a nice slender muscle form so you don't get bulky and manly looking.

Swimming, diet, and light freeweights for tone along with the pilates should get you where you want to be in no time.

I don't recommend doing it any other way because you won't get the results you're looking for all over and that can be a huge source of frustration. Slimming down the healthy way will make you look like a million dollars and you'll have a huge load of energy.

Good luck!

syntheticdarkness

thanks alot for such an indepth answer!

how often would you recomend swimming?

Herr Geist

Every other day. The best way to do this would be to do the swimming and any other cardio you want on alternating days from light weight training and the pilates or whatever other muscle toning stuff you find you'd like to try. It gives the muscles you're working a chance to heal which is how they become toned. Just be careful not to use a lot of weight when you're working out or you will bulk up muscle wise. We don't want you looking like Mr. Schwarzenegger.

Bella Sicilia

Hoola-hooping is great for a toned tum as you pull in you stomache muscles and it also works you sides and bum too... do half an hour a day in front of the telly! Very Happy

Herr Geist

I wouldn't mind if you blocked the TV!

But she is right! I know some girls that do it professionally and they have the most amazing mid-sections I've ever seen!

Honeylulu

Cycling doesn't really tone you...I do it nearly every day and yesterday I went for a run and now all my muscles hurt...ouch!

Fleur du Mal

Belly dancing is good for the tummy if you do it seriously.

This thread is great for me as I used to have a lovely flat tummy - but now my age has caught up with me I'll have to work to get it back!

One thing I will say is that if you do any exercises that isolate your abs (such as sit ups, etc.) do some lower back exercies too, to balance it out, otherwise you end up with problems. HG is right with the Pilates, but anything that encourages you to strengthen your core muscles will benefit your tummy.

syntheticdarkness

Lillian Demure

pilates is brilliant regardless of whether you want to tone up.. it really helps with basic back ache and really strenghtnes your core muscles.. and it will tone up all your muscles slowly and safely if you are with a good instructor.

I love it.

tho I was mildly amused last week when the instructor said that some positions you would be nturally good at and enjoy.. most of the ones I found easiest involved the hundred or coffee table) position. ie.. on me back with me legs in the air..

*giggle*

Herr Geist

I cannot stress enough to STRETCH BEFORE AND AFTER YOU WORK OUT! Especially with pilates. The way it works the muscles seems like it would make you bendy, but it does not. It makes you stiff. Stretch. A lot of people I know that are into pilates also do yoga to balance it out.

This goes along with what Fleur said. Make sure you balance everything out. If you work your abs, make sure you work your back or you will slowly develop posture and muscle problems. Stretching really helps with this. No one ever talks about stretching AFTER a workout but it is vital. Trust me.

Lots of good advice comin' from the ladies here.

ameliesoleil

i'm in the same boat here... since i stopped circus last year my tummy muscles weakened (circus is very tough on your core) and i've got a lot more lumpy Smile

since my tummy isn't as taut, my back muscles are more flexible since i can stretch more. so this time, i'm going to combine lots of back stretches with pilates to get a taut tum and a bendy back.

i have put on a stone in weight since i moved back to newcastle which i am determined to shift in the new year... quite sure i'll be eating pies until feb but i can at least tell myself i'll try!

xx