Frequently Asked Questions & Honest Answers!

HA: Well Melanie, you can strengthen and tone the muscles of the abdominal region and if you perform exercises that challenge the Transversus Abdominus (the deep girdle muscle of the trunk) you can also help draw the abdominals inwards (see exercise below). Now the reality check. There is no such thing as spot fat reduction - if you have fat (adipose tissue) on the abdominal region you will have to lose that fat by either "burning it off" (by undertaking cardiovascular exercises such as aerobics, dance, step, swimming, walking, cycling, running etc aiming to burn 300-500 Kcals) or you can carefully reduce the number of Kcals you consume daily by 300-500 Kcals below your daily requirement. To be honest the easiest approach is to combine a healthy diet with cardiovascular exercises in order to achieve the 300-500 Kcal deficits - that will allow safe and effective fat reduction. If you also perform appropriate abdominal training daily, not only will you be more likely to have a firmer, flatter tummy but you will also have a well supported spine - good news if you suffer from back pain!