10 ways to a flat belly
It's easy to fit into your jeans again or look great in your little black dress again with our easy exercise tips. So even if you're sitting down all day or rushing around after the kids we've got some great suggestions to help you flatten your belly.
1. Dance it off
All types of vigorous dancing is great for burning fat and calories - around 400 an hour - and dancing is a good workout for your waist too. Salsa, ballroom and belly dancing are particularly good.
2. Swap your chair for a fitness ball
You might feel silly but sitting on a fitness ball instead of a chair when you watch telly will help tone up your belly. You have to use your muscles, especially your stomach muscles to balance and stay on the ball.
3. Sit-ups
Yes, we know you've heard it before but sit-ups or crunches can help fight the flab. You won't see a change immediately and you may need to build up to doing 10-15 sit-ups a day. Always hold your hands by your ears rather than behind your head so you don't strain your neck or back.
4. The reverse curl
If you find sit-ups difficult try the reverse curl instead, it's just as effective but easier on the back. Start by lying on the floor, with your hands by your sides. Lift your bum off the floor using just your stomach muscles and keep your arms and shoulders on the floor. Hold for a few seconds then lower yourself back to the floor. Repeat 15-20 times.
5. Yoga
It's not just for celebs like Madonna, Yoga can be done by anyone at any level. It's great for toning all over but especially good at toning the belly because of the breathing exercises that are involved, and because it helps your posture - and good posture leads to a flatter tum!
- Read on: 5 more ways to a flat belly
Where to next?
- Want to join the gym? Read our 5 point guide before you sign up
- Improve your diet with these simple healthy eating recipes
- Share tips for keeping fit with other women in our chat forums
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By Louise O'Connell
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Where to next?
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Easy exercise tips and ideas
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Exercise classes: Yoga and Pilates
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Exercise at home - fitness equipment
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New mums' workout
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The Figure Fixer Workout
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10 ways to a flat belly: Part 2
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10 ways to firm your bum!
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10 ways to firm your bum - Part 2
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10 ways to firm your bum - Part 3
Please leave a comment, tip or story in the box below
jessikaa mills, 5 days
ii will do this as it seems fun :D it shud work lets find out :D
Report this commentrachel , 2 months
am glad you got straight to the point at explaining the different excerises mant other web sites waffle on and still dont get to the point.
Report this commentRomona, about 1 year
I think the first 4 tips to a flatter belly are really helpful. They can be done, more or less, as part of everyday livinf in the home. Quite often, the thought of having to enrol somewhere, or buy special food, can be off-putting.
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Susan, 3 days
I need to try to flatten my tummy but I have a bad back, so any other suggestions as I cant do sit ups etc. also I am post menapausal which is when my tummy grew for the first time.
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