Muffin Tops, What Your Baker Doesn't Want You To Know

Muffin Top. The "red headed step child" of the abs  It’s the flabby section on the sides of your abdomen that hang over your pants. It’s an annoying area and can be oh so hard to get rid of. The official term is your obliques and is often over looked when it comes to exercising the abs.

Aerobics is a good place to start if you want to trim your waistline. 30-45 minutes 3 to 4 times a week. As I’ve said before in previous posts spot training won’t work because you need to boost your metabolism to burn your love handles. You have to train your entire body before you start to see results.

Start a cardio exercise program at your home. Aerobics DVDs, outdoor workouts or walking are great ideas. You can do basic crunches but I suggest you do some other exercises that will help tone the entire core.

Leg Flutters

When I train people I always focus on the back. In order to tone the middle you need to strengthen your back. This creates a balance in your torso and reduces the fat on your back.

1. Lie on your stomach and lift your head up slightly

2. You can keep your arms straight out at your sides or bend them with your elbows resting beside you.

3. Lift your feet and knees off the floor and flutter your legs rapidly back and forth. Do this for 20 seconds. Take a 20 second break and then repeat again.

Twist Crunches

This exercise is great for your obliques and the center of your abdominal wall. You kill two birds with one stone with this one

1. Lie on your back with your knees bent.

2. Carefully lift your head, neck and shoulders up off the floor and very lightly place your hands behind your head.

3. Twist to the right bringing your left elbow to your right knee. Extend your left leg out.

4. Now twist back to the left bringing your right elbow to your left knee. Extend your right leg out.

5. Repeat 25 times.

Standing Trunk Twists

This is one of my favorite exercises to give clients. It gets your heart rate up and helps you to burn calories.

1. Stand with your feet about a foot apart and knees relaxed.

2. Twist your torso to the left while keeping your hips and legs as stable as possible. As you twist to the left, cross your right arm in front of your body in a punching motion.

3. Twist back to the right and cross your left arm over your body in a punching motion.

4. Do 100 reps.

The Bottom Line:

You need to start increasing your body’s metabolism by exercising 30-45mintues 3-4 times a week. This does not only include crunches, sit ups, etc but aerobic-type exercises that will get your heart rate up. Add these moves to your routine and you'll see super sassy results in no time!