Getting rid of that "spare tire"/ab exercises

[LittleMiss87]

Hi everyone, I'm Missy! This is a question for Lara, since I know you're a fitness trainer, and whoever else might know a thing or two! Okay I have 3 questions. I was wondering what is a really good, effective way to get rid of that lovely "spare tire" above my bum and sides. I've heard side crunches are really effective, but I'm clumsy and have no way to really go about them properly. Also, what are really good ways to get abs...fast. I go to the gym every day so I have no quams about working out it's just a matter of doing things effectively. And finally, my last question, how long will it generally take to see results of flatter abs and less of that "spare tire" if I do the right exercises and work-out consistently? Thanks in advance!! Any help would be appreciated!! My grad and summer is coming up!! :eek:

[Lara]

Hi everyone, I'm Missy! This is a question for Lara, since I know you're a fitness trainer, and whoever else might know a thing or two! Okay I have 3 questions. I was wondering what is a really good, effective way to get rid of that lovely "spare tire" above my bum and sides. I've heard side crunches are really effective, but I'm clumsy and have no way to really go about them properly. Also, what are really good ways to get abs...fast. I go to the gym every day so I have no quams about working out it's just a matter of doing things effectively. And finally, my last question, how long will it generally take to see results of flatter abs and less of that "spare tire" if I do the right exercises and work-out consistently? Thanks in advance!! Any help would be appreciated!! My grad and summer is coming up!! :eek:
Hi Missy! Good question!
To answer your question simply...diet, diet, and diet!!! Diet is what holds many people back from getting rid of the spare tire and having flat abs. You will see me say this over and over again, but 80% of what you look like comes from how you eat. If you aren't eating properly, all the ab crunches and sit ups in the world won't make a difference. Think of it this way, how will flat abs be seen if you never take off your clothes? The same goes for fat, that layer must be removed. Proper nutrition is the key to shedding fat--along with proper exercise, of course. :)

As far as ab exercises, I NEVER recommend side crunches. These will only develop the obliques (muscles that run the side of your stomach) and cause you to look like you have love handles--exactly what you are trying to get rid of. Concentrate on exercises that target the whole region. As I mentioned in another post, the bicycle maneuver is a great ab exercise. To do this, lie flat on your back making sure to press your lower back to the floor. With hands beside head, bring your knees to 45-degree angle & begin a pedal motion by touching opposite elbow to opposite knee, alternating each side--like you would pedaling a bicycle. Ab crunches are still a great method—although the bicycle maneuver is a little more effective—and good to alternate for variety. When you get more advanced with your ab training, I can recommend some advanced ab exercises.

One of the most common questions I am asked is how long it will take to see results. I wish I had a quick answer for you, but I don’t. The length of time for each person to see results of their efforts depends on how much bodyfat each person has to lose. For example, someone who weighs 140 pounds will see results much quicker than someone who weighs 300 pounds. However, I can promise this, with consistency with diet and exercise, each person WILL start seeing results gradually regardless of their bodyfat.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have further questions. :D

[LittleMiss87]

:) Thanks sooo much Lara!!! Your advice is very much appreciated! :)

[Lara]

You are so very welcome and thank YOU for saying that. You made my day. :D

[sxybug]

Great post Lara!

We all would like results fast.....wouldn't life be nice if we could just do abs and diet for a week and look fabulous :) Unfortunately it doesn't work that way. It takes dedication and patience. Everyone's body responds differently. Another thing, abs are usually the last part that comes into definition once you lean down. Abdominal fat can be a real booger to get rid of. To look great you really need to make dieting and working out your lifestyle, not just something your going to do for a little bit. It can be challenge when first starting out...but you have a great support group here!

[Livvy]

great advice, i just want to add that it'll really help if you work your lower back, too. i have a balance ball, and i just lay facedown on it, and use my butt muscles to lift my legs off the ground. it helps to strengthen lower back and lower abs.

[Lola]

running is key! i was blessed with a soft stomach and some pudge on the side, but running helped flatten my stomach and get rid of that pudge. then, with ab exercises helped flatten it more. but initially, i would run!

[Lola]

also, try not to drinks with calories, try to stick with diet colas and water if you can. when i drink reg. sodas, i blow up!

[sharon]

I go to the gym 4 times a week and I do cardio for 30 mins and weight training for 30 mins but still can't get rid of that stuburn spare tire. I do the bicylcle ab too.
I wanna loose 10 pounds to look good for the summer. I'm so fed up
can someone help me pleaseee?

[Lara]

I go to the gym 4 times a week and I do cardio for 30 mins and weight training for 30 mins but still can't get rid of that stuburn spare tire. I do the bicylcle ab too.
I wanna loose 10 pounds to look good for the summer. I'm so fed up
can someone help me pleaseee?

Hey Sharon, please refer to a previous post I made. Maybe that will help you out. Let me know. :)

http://www.makeup411.net/showpost.php?p=31822&postcount=7

[leagunner]

Hey Lara - I'm just wondering why trainers, exercise videos, classes, etc. incorporate or recommend side crunches? They seem to be a common exercise, but if they build the muscles that only serve to look like love handles, why would anyone recommend them and/or do them? I used to do them, as I had an ab workout video that had them in there, but when I saw a post from you a while back on the topic, I stopped doing them. I just don't get why they're as common as they are?

[Chelys4U]

Hi Missy! Good question!
To answer your question simply...diet, diet, and diet!!! Diet is what holds many people back from getting rid of the spare tire and having flat abs. You will see me say this over and over again, but 80% of what you look like comes from how you eat. If you aren't eating properly, all the ab crunches and sit ups in the world won't make a difference. Think of it this way, how will flat abs be seen if you never take off your clothes? The same goes for fat, that layer must be removed. Proper nutrition is the key to shedding fat--along with proper exercise, of course. :)

As far as ab exercises, I NEVER recommend side crunches. These will only develop the obliques (muscles that run the side of your stomach) and cause you to look like you have love handles--exactly what you are trying to get rid of. Concentrate on exercises that target the whole region. As I mentioned in another post, the bicycle maneuver is a great ab exercise. To do this, lie flat on your back making sure to press your lower back to the floor. With hands beside head, bring your knees to 45-degree angle & begin a pedal motion by touching opposite elbow to opposite knee, alternating each side--like you would pedaling a bicycle. Ab crunches are still a great method—although the bicycle maneuver is a little more effective—and good to alternate for variety. When you get more advanced with your ab training, I can recommend some advanced ab exercises.

One of the most common questions I am asked is how long it will take to see results. I wish I had a quick answer for you, but I don’t. The length of time for each person to see results of their efforts depends on how much bodyfat each person has to lose. For example, someone who weighs 140 pounds will see results much quicker than someone who weighs 300 pounds. However, I can promise this, with consistency with diet and exercise, each person WILL start seeing results gradually regardless of their bodyfat.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have further questions. :D


I have never heard of anything like this before. Has this been experience with people you've worked with? I've never seen anyone that has lovehandles from working the obliques.