5 Exercises That Slim Down Your Belly

Article by Everett Maclachlan

Looking good with your shirt off is fashionable in any season. Spring, summer, winter or fall, it’s one of those things that we all want, but only some of us make the time to achieve.

A chiseled torso is the envy of everyone else on the beach, at the park, at the gym, and in the boardroom. Of course, it also helps on dates, in relationships, and in the bedroom. The real mark of a hot body is, of course, having a slim belly.

Why a Slim Belly Looks So Good

People who care about how they look are usually not afraid to put in some work to achieve results. Many people spend a lot of time working their arms, legs, back, and chest to get the type of body others can only dream about. But, a common complaint among people who exercise frequently is that achieving a slim belly is hard to do, making it the final frontier in rounding out that perfect body.

The reason that a slim belly looks so good is that precisely because many people find it so hard to actually get. You see, as we age, men and women alike tend to gain weight each year. And, for most people, that weight goes right to the stomach. That is why, buried deep in our genetic makeup, we all equate a thin belly and washboard stomach with youth and sexiness.

Common Excuses People Make

Despite how rewarding of an achievement it is, people love coming up with excuses for why they cannot seem to get that slim belly. These include:

1. It is too much work.

2. I can’t find the time to eat and exercise the way I should.

3. I do not have the right genetics for it.

4. I do not know which exercises to do.

The Truth about Looking Your Best

The truth is, getting a fit stomach is not as much work as you might think: if you know what you are doing, that is. And, each of us has the same 24 hours in a day, so time management is really what it is all about. What about the excuse about having bad genes? Well, while it is true that some people are just born with a higher average metabolism, anyone and everyone can achieve a flat belly if they know which steps to take.

Exercises that Slim Down Your Belly

While diet is a major factor that cannot be ignored, exercise is also key. Here are 5 exercises that slim down your belly:

1. Walk at a brisk pace for at least 20 to 30 minutes each day. You can walk that distance all at once or break it into parts.

2. Breathe deeply. This may not seem like a “real” exercise at first, but make no mistake, it is. Breathing deeply oxygenates your blood (to help burn calories) and also works your abdominal muscles.

3. Get up from your desk, chair or couch once every 45 minutes to an hour. This keep your blood flowing more freely through your lower body and abdomen.

4. Do the bicycle crunch ab exercise. This one will tone the muscles underneath your belly fat so that when you burn off that fat, you will have something to show for it! To do it: lie flat on floor with your back pressed to the ground. Put your hands beside or behind your head, then bend your knees to a 45-degree angle. Slowly “pedal” your legs.

5. Do sit-ups on an exercise ball. This one, too, will tone your stomach into the washboard look you want. Just sit back on the ball as if you were lying on the floor, then do regular sit-ups.

Remember, seek and ye shall find. Put the effort into educating yourself about how to achieve and maintain that slim belly and you will be rewarded with the kind of body that you used to only dream about.