6 Surprising Moves For Flatter Abs

Fun, almost-effortless ways to tighten your belly without a single sit-up

By Diana Kelly

1. Do this 2-second posture check

Make your abs look flatter instantly by changing your posture, suggests Andrea Metcalf, author of Naked Fitness and fitness expert for Anytime Fitness. "When you’re standing and waiting in line, drop your tailbone and pull the hip bones up as if you’re trying to connect your hips to your rib cage. This pulls in and flattens out the belly. Keep your tailbone slightly tucked under to take pressure off your lower back while you walk. This also makes your stomach appear flatter."

2. Belly dance while you brush

Smith likes the belly-dancing hip drop step to work obliques. To do the move, support yourself on the left leg with the right leg slightly forward and to the left, balancing on your right toe. Move your right hip up and then drop it down. Do this hip dance for a minute on each side while you’re brushing your teeth, on the phone at your desk, or waiting for food to heat up in the microwave. 

3. V-sit while you sit

Reclaim those wasted minutes waiting for your computer to boot up by using them to do these quick and powerful seated chair office exercises. "The v-sit is one of the most effective ways to strengthen your entire midsection," says Smith, and you don’t have to get on the floor to do it. In fact, this move is easy to do even in a skirt and heels, and is so subtle no one will know you’re doing it.

1. While sitting, scoot your butt to the front of your chair. Then lean back so that your upper back rests lightly on the seat back. Contract abs and lift your right knee up, then place your foot back down on the floor. Repeat with your left leg, doing 10 reps on each side.

2. Then, sit up straight on the front edge of your chair, engage abs and lean back again to lean upper back against the chair back. Sit up straight again, using your abs. Smith suggests 10 reps of the alternating leg exercises, then 10 reps of the front and back exercise. Once you get strong enough, pull both legs up during the exercises. Then do the movements together—legs come up, lean your upper back to the chair back, then sit up straight, and legs go back down.

4. Pretend there's gum stuck on your chair

If you’re driving or sitting and just waiting at the doctor’s office, imagine there’s gum or wet paint on the back of your chair so you have to hold yourself up instead of leaning back, says Smith. Keep shoulder blades down and back, abdominals lifted, and picture yourself knitting your rib cage together and in. 

5. Stay balanced

Sitting on an exercise ball at your desk may help you focus and power through your workload. Some studies found that when balls replaced chairs in classrooms, students had an easier time paying attention to their teachers and focusing on their schoolwork. When you sit on or lie across a stability ball, you engage all the muscles in your core to keep yourself supported. A proper fit will help you work your way to a toned body with better posture, more-defined abs, and a healthy spine with less back pain.

Here’s a guide to help you find the perfect ball size for your height:
Under 4'6" / 30-cm (12") ball
4'6" to 5'0" / 45-cm (18") ball
5'1" to 5'7" / 55-cm (22") ball
5'8" to 6'2" / 65-cm (26") ball
Over 6'2" / 75-cm (30") ball

6. Hoop it up

Hula hoops aren’t just for the playground. Michelle Obama has been spotted hooping with her daughters, and actress Marisa Tomei credits it for her strong, sexy 46-year-old physique. Adult-size fitness hoops ($28.50 canyonhoops.com) are weighted to ratchet up their belly-flattening power and make them easier to twirl. Here’s how to do it: Move only your midsection, keeping upper and lower body stable and rocking hips from side to side or front to back—not in a circle.

Source:

 http://www.prevention.com/fitness/strength-training/6-surprising-moves-flatter-abs/1-do-2-second-posture-check