| As someone who has been struggling to get | | | | targeting major muscle groups. Most of my lifting |
| physically fit and have a toned mid section for | | | | is for upper body strength but occasionally I'll mix |
| some time, I've learned a few shortcuts for | | | | in some lower body weight lifting as well. |
| improving the look of anyone's mid section. | | | | You may be asking how this is going to help you |
| Despite what you might think, exercises for the | | | | get rid of abdominal fat. And truth be told, belly |
| abdomen shouldn't be your top priority. | | | | fat is one of the most difficult things to target. |
| Getting a lean stomach has less to do about | | | | The good news is that by focusing on overall |
| directly targeting belly fat and more to do with | | | | reduction of fat you can go a very long way in |
| overall reduction in the size of fat cells around the | | | | changing your midsection. In addition to general |
| belly. Your body has only so many fat cells and | | | | and abdominal exercises diet plays a role in your |
| the size of your waste is directly proportional to | | | | success. |
| the size and volume of those fat cells. To reduce | | | | Many people believe that the cause of their |
| fat cell size, you must not only build muscle, but | | | | abdominal fat is the consumption of fatty foods. |
| focus on cardiovascular exercise and diet as well. | | | | Not all fatty foods are bad however. In fact, to |
| One of the best and fastest ways to stay lean is | | | | get your internal furnace burning a little fat is a |
| with cardiovascular exercise. My favorite routine is | | | | good thing. In combination with complex |
| to get on the treadmill 3 - 4 times per week. | | | | carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables, good fats |
| However, the way I use the treadmill is a little | | | | are essential for maintaining overall health and lean |
| different from what most people in the gym are | | | | muscle mass. |
| doing. I focus on completing four sets of | | | | From my perspective, the most essential aspect |
| increasingly strenuous walking and jogging. | | | | of any diet when trying to get lean is protein. My |
| The process is relatively simple. Start by walking | | | | recommendation is to keep a food journal over |
| at a comfortable pace for two minutes. Then, | | | | the next few weeks. Whatever you eat should |
| increase your speed by a little bit each minute for | | | | be written down and documented. You'll be |
| the next four minutes. At the end of the first | | | | amazed at how little protein you consume. Yet |
| four minutes return to your initial speed. Don't | | | | protein is essential for maintaining lean body mass |
| return to your walking speed, but the first speed | | | | and strong abdominal muscles. |
| you chose to begin your elevated set. Complete a | | | | By combining cardiovascular exercise, where |
| total of four full sets and then cool down for one | | | | you're targeting fat cells, and consuming a diet |
| minute. By focusing on a jog and run type of | | | | high in protein, you are focusing on building and |
| program you are targeting fat cells and building | | | | reducing the size of fat cells. When you use these |
| lean muscle mass. | | | | techniques in combination, you're sure to have the |
| In addition to doing cardio a few days a week I | | | | quickest path to getting rid of abdominal fat from |
| like to focus on weight lifting too. Two to three | | | | your body. |
| days a week I do some basic weight lifting, | | | | |