Toning Your Abs - Common Exercising Myths

1. The 'Chew Then Crunch' Myth

Crunches are good exercises for toning the abs and stomach if done properly and combined with a low fat diet. However many people think they can continue to eat what they want and end their day with 100 crunches to "work off" all the bad stuff they put in their body throughout the day.

If you're not lowering your fat intake by watching what you eat, it doesn't matter how many exercises and crunches you perform. Not only will you see zero results, but you may actually see your stomach increase in size!

This is because you're building muscle on top of the existing fat. We all have flat stomachs, it's just that for some of us have layers and layers of fat on top of that muscle we must get rid of first.

You've got to work off that existing fat first by training and toning your abs and stomach area.

I had this problem when I first started exercising. I didn't lower my caloric or fat intake much but I started doing crunches. For three months straight I did my 8-minute ab routine like clockwork. I couldn't understand why I wasn't seeing results. In fact, my stomach started protruding even more.

Well after doing lots of reading I discovered that I was going to also change my diet if I was going to see the results I wanted.

2. The Numbers Myth

Twenty-five good, quality crunches are much better than 250 half-done crunches. Many people just want to get it over with so they lie down and do as many fast crunches as they can while lacking in quality.

The best thing to do is perform 4 sets of 20-25 solid crunches while resting 90 seconds in between each set. That is a much more effective way of training your abs than 250 lackluster crunches in a row.

3. The Spot Toning Myth

This is the one that frustrates me. I have always been very thin and recently started gaining weight in my hips and thigh area. I welcomed the added pounds because it gave me a curvier figure. Unfortunately it also left we with a slightly flabby stomach.

I wanted to keep the hips and thighs but lose the stomach so I started exercising my stomach and abs by doing pilates and crunches.

Well, I didn't see any results. I discovered through reading that you can't just spot tone because if you only focus on one area (ie. your tummy), you won't raise your metabolism enough to burn that extra belly fat. So the key to flattening your stomach area is to increase your body's metabolism so it can effectively get rid of those layers of excess tummy fat.

A total body exercise is the key to slimming your waistline.

4. The Six Pack Myth

Whether you're a man or woman, we'd all love to have that solid six pack to show off when we're at the pool right? Well, what most people don't realize is that solid abs don't start in the gym, they start in the kitchen. If your body contains a lot of fat, your abs won't show no matter how much you exercise.

Your first goal should be to lose that fat, and it starts with your diet. Decrease the amount of fat and calories you consume and increase the amount of protein. Protein is an absolute necessity for ridding fat and building muscle.

5. The Running Myth

Did you know that running does very little when it comes to toning your stomach? This is because it can cause your pelvis to pull forward and arching of your lower back.

Don't get me wrong, running is good for you and can burn a lot of calories, but if you aren't doing any other stomach toning exercises in conjunction with running you'll see little if any results.

Conclusion

Hopefully you've learned that flattening your stomach is not about doing 100 crunches per day. It's about total body fitness and changing your overall diet.

Want to Reprint This Article?

You are welcome to reprint this article as long as the text remains unchanged and you include the "Author Bio" statement below.

Lisa Irby is the author of http://www.flat-stomach-exercises.com, a site that encourages people to understand their bodies before they begin that ab workout.

---

The Truth About Exercise and Why Its Not Always Good for You!

Exercise is often regarded as a panacea for many things..."if... Read More

Overcoming Resistance to Exercise

Are You Destined to Sit on the Couch?If someone mentions... Read More

Stretching and the Warm up ? Are You Confused?

Lately, I've been receiving a lot of questions referring to... Read More

Performing Potentially Dangerous Gym Exercises

How do you know that the exercises you are performing... Read More

Thick Today Is Fat Tomorrow

As we twentysomethings get further along in our twenties, we... Read More

Debunking Common Exercise Myths, Part 1

Myth #1: Heavy weights make you "bulky"Heavy weights typically do... Read More

Benefits of a Good Training Journal

Most of us have trained at one part in our... Read More

Different Exercises Schedule to Combat Hypertension, Obesity, and Asthma!

Different Health Problems generally do not allow us to do... Read More

Lance Armstrong, Exercise, and Will Power? Characteristics that Make a Champion!

The Tour De France, arguably may be the hardest sport... Read More

Easy and Effective Home Workouts

Many people think that creating a home workout gym is... Read More

The Lactate Threshold ? Reality or Fallacy?

For many years exercise science has perpetuated the concept of... Read More

Exercise and the Time Clock

I have to admit that I sometimes find it amusing... Read More

Fitness the Goddess Way: Movement vs. Exercise

I was excited to hear the esteemed speakers at the... Read More

Fitness Focus: Overcoming Obstacles

If you're like me, the quest to be in shape,... Read More

An Introduction to Tennis

Is tennis good for you?Absolutely - tennis is a gentle... Read More

Strength Training After Fifty

Strength training after fifty is no longer for those people... Read More

Struggling To Keep Your Workout Schedule? So am I!

Sometimes following a fitness program or workout schedule is not... Read More

Top 5 Exercise Plateau Breakers

Plateau. That dreaded word that you do not want to... Read More

The Different Types of Treadmills

When we usually think of treadmills, we tend to think... Read More

Success Versus Failure in the Exercise Department

Success is what you are prepared to make of yourself... Read More

Get Moving...The Benefits Will Last a Lifetime!

The benefits of physical activity are numerous and very well... Read More

Exercise Equals Fun!

Getting America's children to exercise has never been more difficult... Read More

Finding The Right Exercise Intensity

We've all heard the exercise guidelines that recommend we participate... Read More

After WLS: Walking for Wellness

Step for step, mile for mile, walking is the best... Read More

5 Little Known Benefits of Warming Up & Cooling Down After Exercising

While working out in the gym, I have noticed that... Read More

Why Do My Feet Hurt So Much When I Run?

If you are a seasoned runner you know the importance... Read More

Lance Armstrong and Exercise - From Denial to Desire!

Press Conference 1996 ? Lance Armstrong On Wednesday October 2,... Read More

The Top 10 Reasons Why Your Dog is a Great Workout Partner

1) He or she is never late for a workout... Read More

Warming Up Properly

In our 'Stretching' article series , we discussed why it's... Read More

Monitor Your Body Fat Levels For Results

A very important aspect in really finding out if you're... Read More

Keep Exercise Journals For Real Results

Always make sure to keep a detailed training journal. By... Read More

3 Steps To Starting a Successful Fall Exercise Program

Ah, the crisp cool breeze, the invigorating feel of the... Read More

Lose Weight - Stay Fit and Stick With It!

Health and nutrition experts continually advise us that the more... Read More