Q&A
I Do Lots of Crunches But Can't Lose My Ab Flab
Question:
I crunch like crazy but can't get rid of the roll of fat around my lower abdomen. Do you have any suggestion for exercises that target this area?
You're not going to be able to spot-reduce your lower abs if you do crunches and crunches only. Unfortunately, that's just not the way the body works. You'll have to combine fat-dissolving cardio and cutting calories -- to reduce overall body fat -- in order to see a reduction in fat in the tummy area.
One workout to melt fat fast: Interval training. Studies show that people lose more of their mushy middle with interval training compared to people who exercise at a steady pace. Try adding bursts of speed to your exercises, whether it's cycling, running or belly dancing. If you're cycling, for instance, alternate cycling as fast as possible for 8 seconds with 12-second rest periods for 20 minutes.
Also, when you're doing your crunches, ensure your back and shoulders don't rest on the floor between reps or else you're making the moves too easy. Set a stability ball at the small of your back -- this prevents your back and shoulders from relaxing. Do three or four sets of up to 15 reps, with a 30-second rest between sets.
