want to have flat abs....  

Are you doing crunches? Do crunches using a stability ball! Those things work wonders. I bought one on sale a few "black Fridays" ago and have gotten more than I paid out of it! They're great to do crunches on and to do certain weight routines with. You can buy like 10 minute workout dvds to go along with them. I highly recommend a stability ball.

The most effective exercise I have found for my abs is the plank. It's a little difficult to describe but if you look it up, I'm sure you'll find a detailed version of it. It's basically being in a push up position and sucking your abs in for a few seconds at a time.

The other exercise I'd recommend is Ashtanga Yoga which works wonders on your stomach especially if you hold your stomach in when you go down to the push up position.

You could also try one of those abs belts,I've heard some good reports of those.

One of the biggest things is diet...I mean, not so much as crash dieting or anything like that...but being consistent and eating things that tend to be low in fat on a normal basis is key to losing weight around the belly area. It's a big game of keeping your metabolism up at all times and getting yourself down to maybe 10% body fat....I don't know if it's different for women or not.

Hmm...let's see...oh yeah, and I don't know if you have tried using an Ab Wheel...but those things burn SO good...

Charlen-

Keep up the great work! Remember that the stomach is the last place women loose weight, and most of us tend to carry quite a bit there especially if we have had children. You may also want to understand how the muscles in the stomach function. You have core muscles that need to all be worked in order to maintain core stability.

http://www.revolutionheal...

This is a really nice article on core stability and why it's important to maintain core stability, as well as some simple exercises you can do in the house.

I too use a core stability ball for some of my exercises, but I also use a band system that attaches to the top of my door. It allows me to work all of the muscles in a very isolated fashion so that I'm truly working each one to gain more stability. I also do yoga, martial arts, and cardio. Don't stop doing cardio because that is what will continue to burn the fat.

Now, not that I'm one to push for plastic surgery, do keep your options open. Some women who may have lost huge amounts of weight (I have no idea what your situation is), may have skin that just simply has lost it's elastisity and just "hangs". At that point you may want to consult someone to discuss your options so you can continue your journey.

For now, keep up with what you're doing, develop your core stability and see what occurs. Your tummy may simply disappear on its own.

Namaste-Anora

I Understand Your situation Here, It's Always Hard When It Comes 2 the tummy....
But, don't fear.... here is My recipe For Adding Abs 2 The Tummy.....




Lay Down On The floor, It's up 2 U if U want 2 Put Something Down For Your back, And lift Your legs Up....

Start easily Up in The Beginning By Maybe Doing 30 of These" back Lying Sit Up's" And add maybe 5-10 next Day....

Example: First day You Maybe make 30 of these Sit up's, So the next day You add 5-10 extra, so you go From 30 to maybe 35 or 40 sit up's and so on....
Do This for 1-2 weeks Or more Until you Are satisfied And think That you have Reached The point Where you think It is good Enough.....

Another Tip, after doing these sit up's drink lot's of water Or any beverage like, fit 'n right, envidia, Nestea etc. Before You eat........

Good Luck, I hope This exercise will work for You.....
i usually do It whenever i feel that My tummy Is big.....And for me, it's Working

I have the same problem, really want to lose weight but i haven't done anything yet even exercise but i am willing to learn from any advices from your discussion here. Probably i will really start to do action this time. I will read all that responses to you so i will learn too. Thanks. happy mylotting!

Just keep on doing what you've started and also heed the advise of the first responder. I only do sit-ups and weight lifting. It is very effective for me.

I hear that crunches is very effective. You can have at least 20 - 50 crunches everyday. I also suggest that you lessen your soda in take. It addeds to your stored fat on your tummy. Since you are attending gym, asked your trainor of what will be the equiptment that would help you do the crunches.

A good trainer can give you helpful advise to achieve your desired results. As for abs, they are very difficult, and not only depend on exercise, but also on your dietary intake. If you are a female and have had children, the news is not good. Abdominal muscles separate during pregnancy and don't go back to their original place. C-section involves cutting the muscle which also impairs the abs. I tried very hard and finally had to have a tummy tuck where my abs were tightened and excess skin removed, and I finally got the abs of my dreams. Good Luck!

Unfortunately the only way to get flat abs or tummy is by exercise. The down side, too much exercise and you'll get a hard unflat ab or tummy. Why? The stomach is a muscle. Don't overdo. If your muscles build up then your tummy still won't be flat.

Walking can actually do just as much for your stomach as the situps or crunches. Also less chance of building any stomach "muscle".