A taut tummy is not a mission impossible. Pick an exercise, start with 10 repetitions everyday, and gradually increase it. You’ll see results in a fortnight.
A taut tummy is not a mission impossible. Pick an exercise, start with 10 repetitions everyday, and gradually increase it. You’ll see visible results in a fortnight.
CRUNCH IT
Victoria Beckham is a big fan of the basic crunch. But you could do 1,000 of them with zero effect or start with 10 but do them rightly. Your tummy area has three sets of muscles – front, side and the transverse or the deepest layer and you need to work all three.
When doing a standard curl-up, don’t roll or tilt your pelvis and worse, don’t hold your breath.
Here’s how to master the perfect crunch:
Lie straight.
Thighs should be parallel.
You can either bend your knees if you are a starter or if you are at an advanced level, keep your feet straight, knees very slightly soft and toes pointed up.
Before you start, pull your stomach in and make sure that the small of your back is close to the floor.
Breathe out as you come up and breathe in as you go down.
Do not jerk. In fact count to four to come up, two to stay and four to come down.
The stomach responds best to slow and precise movements.
Later on you can introduce variations like one leg up, both toes touching, both legs straight up, both knees on one side etc.
REVERSE IT
The reverse curl is super-effective too. Sit up straight, arms and legs out straight and parallel (knees soft). Inhale, and as you exhale lean back keeping your legs off the ground and as straight as possible. Just when you are about to touch the ground, lift your head again to the starting position.
POSTURE PERFECT
If you walk, sit and stand tall all day and pull in your tummy, it will greatly improve the way you look.
BEAT THE BLOAT
First and foremost, cut salt from your food and definitely don’t add any over and above what’s already cooked.
Flush your system with loads and loads of water. Cut out refined carbs and eat more than 5 fruits and vegetables in a day.
Two days before you expect your periods, have coffee - it cuts out the feeling of extra bloating. Bananas, mint tea and fennel tea all help flush excess water.
t_priya@dnaindia.net
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}