6 Easy Moves to Blast the Tummy Pouch Away

Tummy pooches. Some of us have them and it is a b**** to get rid of. It can be possible-with lots of effort and time. Aiming for at least 30 minutes of cardio daily can help decrease your overall body fat percentage, which will include your tummy area. However, a clean diet is always a MUST. 

 As always, a clean diet is essential for getting rid of the tummy pooch. Here is a Get Lean Grocery List printable for your fridge!

Here are 6 key moves to target your tummy pooch. This is not a form of spot reduction, since spot reducing does not exist. However, this helps to create muscle which will help tighten up loose skin a bit and burn that stubborn belly fat.

 

1. Basic Plank

• Start off on a yoga mat in the pushup position. Starting with the pushup position is the easiest way to get into the plank.
• Lower both your forearms to the ground so that both your elbows and fists are flat to the ground. Your palms should be balled up, and directly underneath your shoulders.
• Curl your toes under and engage your abs by tilting your pelvis and pulling your belly button toward your spine.
• Straighten your body but keep your neck and spine neutral. Imagine that you’re a plank of wood, and that you’re straight as an arrow.
• Flex your abdominals and squeeze your glutes. These are the two major muscle groups you’ll be working out in this exercise.
• Hold this position, also known as the plank, until after the burning begins. Keep your eyes on the floor in front of you. Avoid raising your behind. Your body should make a straight line from your heels to the back of your head.

 

2. Sit Ups

• Lie down on the floor placing your feet either under something that will not move or by having a partner hold them. Your legs should be bent at the knees.
• Place your hands behind your head and lock them together by clasping your fingers. This is the starting position.
• Elevate your upper body so that it creates an imaginary V-shape with your thighs. Breathe out when performing this part of the exercise.
• Once you feel the contraction for a second, lower your upper body back down to the starting position while inhaling.

 

3. Reverse Crunches

• Lie on the floor and place hands on the floor or behind the head.
• Bring the knees in towards the chest until they're bent to 90 degrees, with feet together or crossed.
• Contract the abs to curl the hips off the floor, reaching the legs up towards the ceiling.
• Lower and repeat.
• It's a very small movement, so try to use your abs to lift your hips rather than swinging your legs and creating momentum.

 

4. Bicycle Crunches

• Lie flat on the floor with your lower back pressed to the ground and contract your core muscles.
• With your hands gently holding your head, lift your knees to about a 45-degree angle.
• Slowly, at first, go through a bicycle pedal motion.
• Alternately touching your elbows to the opposite knees as you twist back and forth.

5. Russian Twists

• Sit on the ground with your knees bent and your heels about a foot from your butt.
• Lean slightly back without rounding your spine at all. It is really important, and difficult, to keep your back straight, but don’t let it curve.
• Place your arms straight out in front of you with your hands one on top of the other. Your hands should be level with the bottom of your ribcage.
• Pull your navel to your spine and twist slowly to the left. The movement is not large and comes from the ribs rotating, not from your arms swinging. Inhale through center and rotate to the right. This completes one rep.

 

6. Scissor Lifts

1. Raise both legs toward the ceiling.
2. Keeping them straight, lower your left leg until it’s about six inches off the floor.
3. Lift your head and shoulders off the floor and grasp the back of your right leg, gently pulling it toward you.
4. Switch legs and repeat on other side.
5. Quickly complete 10 reps (no pausing!)