In a quest to become fit it is often tempting to take the easy way out. We all hope there is a way to get around the drudgery of diet and exercise. It’s because of this that late night television infomercials exist and that an entire industry of modern day snake oil salesmen have jobs. My b.f.f. bought an odd contraption that is supposed to make your abs rock hard. Why she didn’t simply ask for help from her friend who is a professional fitness trainer and world renowned blogger ;) is beyond me. Instead she wasted $150 on a piece of junk that is currently collecting dust and taking up space in her bedroom. This miracle ab machine claims to be a “Treadmill For Your ABS” but the truth is no product can "target" an area for weight loss.
Your body takes up fat from anywhere and we have little control, if any at all, from where fat is removed (aside from having liposuction). Basically she got served! The infomercial starring her favorite reality star was lying. It’s sad this day in age if you can’t trust a reality tv star then who can you trust? Let’s be real here am I supposed to believe that the star of the commercial got her awesome abs by just doing the amazing abdominal machine? It had nothing to do with diet and other forms of exercise. Why is the star already ripped if the product is new? Could it be that the product is bunk.
What this ab product can do for you is to tone muscle. However, in this case, it will usually target your oblique muscles and not so much your biggest calorie burner in your body...your thighs. But the truth is, it won't help you lose weight and get a six pack on your front side.
So basically that means she lost $150. She basically donated money to the company. I’ve got a great idea maybe reading some of my posts (for free mind you) and getting your exercise on will help you to achieve those sassy abs.
Here are my three favorite core stabilization moves. No Crunching allowed here!
1. Forearm plank-To do the plank, get down on the floor facing down with all of your weight distributed between your toes and your elbows. Position your arms so that they are bent at a 90 degree angle andyour elbows are directly below your shoulder. Use your core to hold your body in a straight line, perpendicular to the floor. Do not cheat and put your hips up in the air! Straight line!
Hold the plank for 20 seconds to start. Gradually work your way up to 30 seconds, then 45 seconds, then 1 minute. After that, set new goals for yourself, but 1 minute should be the absolute minimum you should do before advancing your core training.
2. Side plank – To do the side plank, get down on the floor on your right side with all of your weight distributed between the right side of your right foot and your right elbow. Your right arm should be bent at a 90 degree angle and your elbow should be directly below your right shoulder. Use your core to hold your body in a straight line between your feet and head. For a modification you can bend your bottom leg and put the knee on the floor. Remember No sagging hips!
Hold the side plank for 20 seconds to start. As with the plank, gradually work your way up to 1 minute and beyond. Switch to the left side and do the same thing.
3. Superman – This exercise will help build endurance in the rear side of your core – lower back, seat, and hamstrings. Lay on the floor facing down with your arms straight out in front of you, as if you were flying over your favorite city! Legs should be straight out inline with your body. No bent knees! With a very small movement, lift your head and use your inner thigs to lift your feet off the ground by only about 4 inches This should be just enough to have you balancing all your weight on your hip bones. You should feel like you are playing a balancing game. Do not lift your arms and legs so far that it hurts your lower back. Less is more here.
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