Tips on Tightening Up Your Stomach

Get Rid of Stomach Flab

To show off a tight stomach, you have to burn off the belly pouch with cardio exercise. You'll be able to see your stomach muscles tightening with consistent exercise. There's no such thing as spot reduction, so you won't be able to lose a jiggly stomach exclusively, but you can trim your midsection as you lose weight all over. Burn 250 to 500 calories each day to lose 1/2 to 1 pound per week. Moderately aerobic activities such as walking and yoga help you burn about 250 calories per hour, while vigorous, heart-pumping exercises such as running, cycling or swimming burn closer to 500 calories per hour.

Stomach-Tightening Exercises

You can trim the flab of your stomach and all over with cardio, but if you want to tightent those ab muscles, you have to strengthen them. Two to three strength-training sessions of 20 minutes apiece will help you tighten your stomach for that flat-belly look you're longing for. Do ab-toning exercises such as front and side planks, bodyweight squats, trunk rotations and supermans.

Rest Days for a Tighter Stomach

When you're anxious to have a tight stomach to show off in a midriff-baring top, you might be tempted to exercise your stomach muscles every day. But this can be counterproductive, leading to injury, fatigue or minimal results. Your abs are like any other muscles in your body; they need a day off in between exercise sessions for the muscle tissue to recover, repair and build. If you want to exercise every day, take a light walk or leisurely bike ride on the days that fall between strength training and vigorous cardio workouts.

Keep in Mind

While you engage in cardio to ditch the belly flab and do strength-training exercises to tighten your stomach muscles, you can boost your weight loss with a healthy, calorie-reduced diet. Shave 250 to 500 calories off your daily caloric intake without going below 1,200 calories per day, which you need to sustain your body's energy for everyday tasks. In addition to focusing on a diet rich in lean protein, whole grains, lowfat dairy and fresh fruits and veggies, incorporate foods that promote a flat belly, such as natural peanut butter, dark chocolate and guacamole.