I used to think I had to work out really hard, eat right and do hundreds of abdominal crunches to have firm, toned abs. Now the only time I do abdominal crunches is when my students request them. You might be surprised to find that you too can have firm, toned abs without doing abdominal crunches, read on to find out how with these five simple tips.
Five Tips for Firm, Toned Abs Without Abdominal Crunches
Tip One: What you eat has the largest impact on how lean your body will be. Consistently eat whole grains, veggies, fruit, nuts, lean meat and water.
Tip Two: Small changes in what you eat and drink can have a large impact on the way you look and feel. Cut back on alcohol, sweets and chips. It’s unnecessary to cut everything out, just cut down. For example, cutting out one glass less of wine can be 130 calories less consumed.
Tip Three: Get plenty of rest. When our bodies don’t get enough rest we have a tendency to crave food for energy. Make sure you are getting at least 6-8 hours of sleep per day, and take a nap when your body needs one.
Tip Four: Practice Yoga. If you practice yoga regularly you will notice that your muscles become leaner and longer from holding postures which literally stretch your muscles. Also, yoga works every muscle in your body, especially the abdominals and low back muscles.
Tip Five: Choose to be active. Feeling stressed? Instead of eating food or watching TV, choose to go outside and get some fresh air. Walking a half hour a day will improve your muscle tone and more importantly the way you feel.