Stomach-Flattening Exercises

A flat stomach seems to have become an asset in today's times. Not just an asset, a coveted asset. Have you gotten into that as well? If you share a lifestyle similar to that of the general populace of today, you'll have the patterns of less activity, consuming junk food (at times), and maintaining late nights.

All in all, tormenting your body and putting on weight. Then again there is the staring at those zero sized models and their flat stomachs and torturing yourself over why you don't have washboard abs like them isn't going to help one bit. You need to take matters in your own hands and go head on into some stomach-flattening exercises.

The deal is that you need to include a proper diet and carry out varied forms of cardiovascular exercises to get a flat tummy. Only a change in one's lifestyle will ensure that there is a flat stomach somewhere on the agenda. Along with that you need to also carry out some specialized exercises. Here are some of the easiest abdominal exercises that one can take up at home.

1. Place a mat on the floor and lie on your stomach over it.
2. Now, slowly lift your body onto your elbows and toes. The elbows will be flat against the ground. Place equal pressure on the toes and elbows.
3. Keep your back absolutely straight and your body as straight as a plank.
4. Maintain this position for 30 seconds to a minute.

1. Take a dumbbell in your right hand and with a shoulder-width distance between your feet, stand with slightly bent knees.
2. Now, place the left hand behind your head and start bending sideways to the right.
3. Take the dumbbell lower and lower as you bend.

4. Try to take it till your knees if you can.
5. Hold for 2-3 seconds and come up to the original position.
6. Repeat on the other side.
7. This exercise can be done for as many reps as one wants, because it is non-taxing and is a great way to lose belly fat.

1. Lie flat on your back and bend your knees, placing your feet flat on the ground.
2. Place your hands behind your head and then crunch sideways.
3. Lift your right knee and your left elbow in a crunch so that you feel the tension on the sides.
4. Repeat on the other side.
5. Do a set of 10 on each side and increase with more sessions.

1. Sit on the floor and place your hands under your bottom. Keep the palms up.
2. Now extend the legs right out and join them together.
3. Now raise them off the floor in one swift movement at a 45 degree angle.

4. Make sure that the pressure is placed on your back.
5. Hold the pose for 30 seconds to one minute, if you can.
6. Come back to the original position and start all over.
7. Start with 10 repetitions, increasing with number as the weeks pass.

1. Sit on the ground with your back absolutely straight.
2. Breathe deeply and evenly.
3. Exhale slowly and evenly until you feel that your stomach starts to form a vacuum.

4. The vacuum should be such that you should feel your belly button touching your spine.
5. Maintain this position for 8-10 seconds. You should feel a pull on the sides and slight pain as well.
6. Repeat this 10 times.

1. Lie flat on your back, bend your knees, and keep your feet flat on the ground.
2. Use a medicine or stability ball that is 5 pounds and hold it over your chest.
3. Ask a partner to stand at your feet.

4. Flatten the arch of your back and push your lower back to the ground.
5. Now, lift yourself so that your shoulders are 6 inches or so above the ground.

6. You have to feel the pull in your abs.
7. While you curl up, throw the ball to your partner.
8. Hold the crunch till the time your partner throws the ball back to you.
9. Catch the ball and come back to the original position.
10. Repeat 10 times.

These are some of the simplest exercises, and doing them will pose no difficulty. Once you get into these exercises, you can start out with more intense ones that will promise you six pack abs. But until then, these will fetch you the results you're looking for.

Disclaimer - This story is for informative purposes only. Always consult a physician before starting any physical fitness program in order to reduce the risk of injury.