5-Step Belly Fat Blasting Regimen
by Kathy Smith
If you’re serious about kick-starting your flat-belly plan, I have a new trick that will keep your abs in the game. Simply pick up a dumbbell that’s about 5 lbs heavier than the one you usually use in your ab routine (if you don’t use one, then start with a 5 lb weight). Then to maximize your belly fat loss, complete the five-step belly fat regimen in today’s blog – remember to do each of the moves with a weight. The real secret is to have non-stop movement. So, perform each move for one minute, and don’t rest until the end of the sequence. After you’re done with the first round, rest for one minute, and then repeat four more times.
The combination of heavier-than-normal weights with non-stop movement not only burns fat, but will help add lean muscle to your core.
People often ask me, “How long it will take to see results after following this routine?” Typically, you can start seeing changes within a month. But, if you want a true transformation, stick with it for 90 days, doing the routine three non-consecutive days a week. Let’s get started!
Windshield Wipers
How to do it:
- Start on your back, with your hands on the floor for support and legs lifted up off the floor.
- Using your core muscles to support you and protect your lower back, keep your knees over your hips as you slowly drop both knees to the right side, forming a 45-degree angle with the floor.
- Then, fire up your obliques as you drive your knees back to the starting position.
- Repeat on the other side.
Cannonball
How to do it:
- Start lying on your back, with your arms reaching out overhead, legs lifted slightly off the floor, and toes pointed. Even here, at the start of the move, you’re activating core muscles by stretching them out. Keep pressing the lower back into the mat or floor to ensure the back doesn’t arch. If this feels like too much tension on the back, try lifting the legs a little further away from the floor.
- Imagine that, as you’re stretching the fingers and toes away from each other, the core is a strong magnet working to pull them back in. Using the force of that imaginary magnet, bring the knees in toward the chest. At the same time, reach your arms toward the legs.
Ceiling Stamp
How to do it:
- Lying on your back, squeeze your abdominals and lift your legs off the floor. Extend them up straight, feet facing the ceiling.
- With your hands on the floor for balance, use your lower abdominal strength to push your feet up 1-2 inches toward the ceiling (meaning your hips come 1-2 inches further away from the floor simultaneously). It’s a quick movement, almost a ˙pulse,” as if you’re stamping the ceiling with the bottom of your feet (hence the title).
Charlie’s Angels
How to do it:
- Sit upright with knees bent, feet on the floor, chest lifted. Lift your feet off the floor, tucking your knees into your chest. Interlace your fingers and point them forward.
- Using your obliques, swivel your knees side to side.
Roll-Overs
How to do it:
- Lying facedown on the floor with your arms and legs extended, lift your upper body and legs off the floor, making sure to keep your feet together.
- Without moving your shoulders or legs, use the strength of your abs to roll to your right side until your back is on the floor and you’re facing the ceiling. Remember, your hands and feet never touch the floor!
- Slowly roll back, keeping the belly button pulled in toward the spine throughout the entire movement.
- Aim for 10 repetitions on each side.
Kathy Smith, New York Times bestselling author, has stood at the forefront of the fitness and health industries for over 30 years. The numbers speak for themselves: Kathy has sold more than 20 million exercise DVDs - landing her in the Video Hall of Fame - and $500 million in Kathy Smith products. With her revolutionary approach to fitness, Smith has touched millions of people, inspiring them to move, live, and love.
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