How to Combine Abdominal Exercise Programs and Effective Weight Loss!

Have you been doing ab crunches all hours of the day, and still getting limited results? Maybe you've purchased a one or more good abdominals exercise machines, and you're still unhappy with the results you're getting.

A lot of you may have committed to an ab routine, but are unable to shift that stubborn belly fat. The result most people desire when putting some effort into their abs is simple; You want a flatter leaner stomach!

The truth is that following only one type of routine, when it comes to your abs, is always going to have very limited results, but here are some simple principles that I personally use, and will work for you if you want to get a leaner stomach.

Train your abs as part of a total body workout

If you follow a routing that involves only abdominal exercises, you're not making the best use of your time. Training your abs as part of a set of exercises in a balanced workout has a triple effect of:

- Burning more calories and therefore more fat, helping achieve a leaner stomach.
- Maintaining or building muscle mass, which will help increase your base metabolism and help lose more fat.
- Last, but not least, you will tighten up and tone your abdominal muscles and develop your core stability and help flatten your stomach.

Get out of the gym

The simple truth is that for a workout to be effective you need to maintain an element of challenge to your muscles. So if you keep doing the same exercises in the gym, e.g. when it comes to abs, you are likely to hit a plateau, unless you either increase the intensity, or modify the exercise.
You might have noticed this if you, say, spend a lot of time on the treadmill, and then go for a jog outside or start doing a different cardio machine, you tend to get a few sore muscles.

Abs are engaged during a number of different activities that overall help strengthen your core, and just because your not doing crunches, doesn't mean you're not working your abs.

Some activities that work well are:

- Running and jogging
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Golf
- Soccer and other games

Nutrition is just as important as working out

Fat loss is a key element in achieving a flatter stomach but its not enough. Some simple changes to your eating habits can further increase your chances of getting a leaner mid section.

As you've probably heard there is not such thing as spot reduction of fat, and in order to get a flatter stomach you need to lose fat, its that simple.
If you're in this for the long run, which I presume you are, then change your diet in small steps that you are confident you can maintain.

Reduce your fat and carbohydrate intake, and increase your protein intake, but don't suddenly change all your meals and recipes. Look at your existing diet and make a small change.

Reduce that portion of pasta, add more tuna to your salad, replace half the potatoes in your dinner with green vegetables. Simple changes will accumulate to a visible effect.

Powerful ways to add variety to your abdominal workouts

Physio ball exercises - these are really good at developing your core, improving your posture, and protecting your back from injury.

Rowing machine workouts - If you've spend a lot of time on the treadmill, or the exercise bike, try a different cardio machine. The rowing machine, or ergometer requires you to hold good posture, and will help strengthen your lower back as well as your abs.

(It is important to consciously maintain postural discipline on the ergo, as long workouts with a slumped position will not be good for your lower back)

Isometric exercises - dynamic and static exercises with your own body weight, like leg slides and the "plank" position, are great for attacking your abs in a different way

Strengthen your back - in most resistance exercises, it is important to strengthen the antagonistic muscles in order to make progress. Working on your lower back with e.g. dorsal raises will also help your abdominal progress.

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