distorted_image
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how long do you think it'd take to tone by tummy up somewhat? how many crunchs/situps a day would you reccomend? what other exercises are good for tummy? (without the use of gym equipment) thanks!!
flat tummy q's
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2Skinny
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A fitness trainer in Vancouver once impressed upon me that no amount of sit-ups alone are going to flatten our gut. The only thing that flattens our guts is fat loss through calorie reduction combined with fat-burning exercise. The toning is actually a result of fat loss which uncovers the muscle we've already got layng underneath our belly fat. It's a real misconception (I know I thought as you do) that exercise will get those muscles to behave. They don't need to behave, because they already are. What we need to do is lose the fat with calorie reduction and fat-burning cardio/weights/sit-ups in order to expose the muscle that's nicely sitting underneath the fat. Make sense?
So focus on a healthy calorie reduction eating plan combined with fat-burning cardio and if you don't like equipment, use free weights to develop muscle which will burn your fat like nobody's business. Use 5 pound weights to do various arm exercises, 3 sets of 10 reps on each (any book in the library will show you several kinds you can do at home). Don't just walk, jog or run as well. It will burn more fat. Cardio contributes to overall fat loss which will include your belly. You will be very pleased with the results.
So focus on a healthy calorie reduction eating plan combined with fat-burning cardio and if you don't like equipment, use free weights to develop muscle which will burn your fat like nobody's business. Use 5 pound weights to do various arm exercises, 3 sets of 10 reps on each (any book in the library will show you several kinds you can do at home). Don't just walk, jog or run as well. It will burn more fat. Cardio contributes to overall fat loss which will include your belly. You will be very pleased with the results.
very well said Anna.. 
See, Steve, we've been listening
See, Steve, we've been listening
I love it, very good post.
So there are some trainers out there who know what they are doing.
CaseyAtMartin
New member
Great job 2Skinny!
hayley_cookie
New member
oh thanks for the info! i've always had the misconception that situps and crunches can give me a flatter tummy.. but then again, does situps and crunches help to build muscles? cos u're saying fat loss will help to uncover the muscles around the tummy area.. what if i dont have much muscles yet?
You can only build muscle in a caloric surplus. It is a very energy intensive process, building muscle, so it takes excess energy (calories).
When you are in a caloric surplus, weight gain is inevitable. With that weight, even when things are primed perfectly, you are going to gain both muscle and fat.
So if your number one goal right now is to tone up, doing hundreds of crunches is not going to do the trick. Dieting in a caloric deficit will. I would couple the proper nutrition with some mixed cardio/hiit and resistance training for optimal results.
I believe that crunches and other all-around core exercises can in fact flatten your tummy to an extent, but only because it is improving your posture. It's not going to burn the fat there, but most people who have problems in that area also have weak core muscles and have horrible posture which amplifies the bad looks that they already have. I have always had a horribly curvy back which made my butt stick out but after doing alot of core exercises this winter, it's nearly flat comparatively. Dieting got rid of the fat, but that's not what made my posture tons better.
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