Core Strength: Abs-olutely Essential!

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Want to give your mid-section a sculpted, sexy appearance? These core strengthening exercises can help!

The Reality

Keep in mind that abdominal exercises do not burn fat from your stomach. You can do a thousand sit-ups every day, but if there is adipose tissue (that's the medical term for fat cells) on your belly, no one will see the six-pack hiding underneath.

The idea that a person can over-exercise a particular part of their body and only burn fat in that one spot is a myth known as spot reduction. If spot reduction worked, we could all just do an hour of sit-ups and leg lifts for a week and wake up to flat tummies and perky bottoms. Wouldn't that be great? Unfortunately, it's a fairy tale that's endlessly perpetuated on the covers of fashion magazines with headlines like, "8 Moves to Flatten Your Belly!"

Let us make one thing very clear: The only way to melt fat from your waist or anywhere else on your body is through regular exercise and a healthy diet. Strength training accelerates weight loss and creates that beautiful toned middle that lets everyone know how strong and healthy you are.

Another reason to work your midsection? It will make your body stronger all over. Think of your body like a tree. If the trunk is damaged, the limbs attached to that trunk can't handle as much stress as a tree with a solid trunk. If your body's core (stomach, sides, and back) is weak, the rest of your body suffers from poor posture, slumped shoulders, back pain, and weaker limbs. If it's strong, your arms and legs will actually be stronger too.

The Workout

Perform two or three sets of 15 to 20 repetitions, two to three times a week.

• Lunges with biceps curls
• Squats with wood chops
• Crunches
• Alternating opposite arm/opposite leg
• Reverse crunches
• Corkscrews (each way)
• Double knee tuck
• Side bridge (each side)

Find these (and other) exercises described in these two slideshows:
Lose the Baby Weight Strength Training Exercises
Core Strength Training to Help Lose the Baby Weight