I have these really cute and comfy pants that my boys gave me for my 40th birthday. The waistline is low-raise and, since they are made for skateboarding, they are made with material that stretches. I love them, but I have to keep pulling down most of my shirts to keep my back from getting cold. Over the weekend I found a shirt to match them that is made longer so that it pulls over the top of the hips. Being so short, I could probably pull it down over my whole butt. Anyhow, this shirt is only as flattering as my stomach is flat so I’ll be sucking it in all day long. I hope that will burn some extra calories.
At lunch, I had a good work out in the fitness center where I did my 3 mile run followed by the required strength work. I focused on arms and core, with just a touch to my legs. Consequently, my salad felt heavy in my arms as I climbed the 3 flights of stairs to my office.
In the fitness center, I was happy for the mirrors. Not only does it remind me to suck it in, but also I can see the muscles working. I love that. It’s so rewording to actually see the cuts developing. If only my stomach responded as well as my deltoids have to the added attention. I’ll be patient for now and, in the meantime, I will continue to suck it in.
Here is the world’s very best ab flattening exercise. I think it came from the Air Force.
Bend over, exhale all of your air, such your stomach in as hard as you can, resume breathing as you stand up but keep holding your stomach in HARD. Hold it until it really starts to hurt – and then keep holding it and count to 10. Your abs will flatten out – guaranteed. The good thing about this exercise is that you can do it several times a day and when you get good you can do it in public while you are waiting in line at the store, for example. You just pretend to be bending over to tie your shoe or pick something up and you discreetly do the suck it in exercise.
Hi! I’ve been reading for a few weeks..I like your blog!
I just wanted to say that my body type stores my chub on my stomach and chest. I’ve got excellent legs (!) (just like my mom and grandma) but I haven’t liked my tummy…ever. I remember hating it in HS. So…I’ve decided to go with it (kind of, still bothers me but I’m accepting it!) and just buy clothes that flatter my body type :) (ie. short skirts and shirts that flow over the tummy area :)
Oh, and I do love low-rise jeans. So cute your boys got them for you!!
Wow, Juls! You’re 40. Never would have guessed it. I like that idea of sucking in the stomach. I’m starting to see some results too after six weeks. Oh, and don’t you get a little lee way on the tummy area, since you are a mom? LOL. I doubt you’d accept that!
Wes: “lee way”…what’s that? I’ve given myself 8 years of lee way. I know the ponch will never be gone, but I want a little less of it to hide.
21CM: Thanks. I tried it but I think that I must not be sucking it in hard enough because the hurt phase didn’t start. I’ll give another go. I like guarantees.
Audrey: It was cute that they picked out skateboarding pants. Thankfully they didn’t expect me to start skateboarding. Thanks for reading.
So when will you start with the skateboard?
You look smokin’ hot to me…
I have the same issues. I love seeing the muscles forming in my arms and legs…and if I could get rid of the layer of pouch on my tummy, I’d feel a darn hard set of abs. But it absolutely won’t go away. I’m trying that new exercises from 21st!
I don’t want to quash everyone’s enthusiam, but it’s important to remember that it’s impossible to spot-reduce. Washboard abs begin in the kitchen.
John has it half right. You can’t spot remove fat, but building muscle below the fat will help you have better shaped abs even if they have a “protective layer of fat” over them. Also, stronger abs mean better posture and less stomach bulging caused by weak muscles. It will indeed help the appearance of your abs.
I SURE HOPE THIS WORKS MY POUCH HAS GOTTEN WAY TO BIG FOR COMFORT.TRIED EXERCISE YIKES I SURE FELT IT WILL KEEP YOU POSTED ITS 2/7/07