Your abdominal profile is based on 3 things.
1. Your spinal profile - watch for accentuated curvature
(also called lordosis or kyphosis)
2. Fat content of your diet
3. Toning of the rectus abdominus muscles
For the first, have your spinal curvature checked by a
chiropractor (recommendations in next months
issue). In addition take pilates and yoga to straighten
out your posture. Genetics does have a part in this as
well. But good posture is important for you to look
good.
Keep your diet low fat. I know people say you need fat,
but it is small amount and you will get it through the
low fat that you consume. Also get a scale that gives
you the weight and fat percentage of your body.
Your overall body fat should be less than 30%
consistently. Otherwise, switch to skim milk and low
fat foods.
.
The rectus abdominus is what constitutes your
abdominal muscles on the front of your body from your
rib cage down to your pelvic area. It is one strip.
However, most people find it is their lower region
which is weaker and hence their belly hangs out
because the muscles don't have enough strength to
hold themselves tightly.
So! Doing crunches all day long is not the answer.
Have a trainer write you a targetted program to tone
your abdominal wall and keep in your abdominals
tightly. Keep your abdominals tight during squats and
most other exercises. If you have weak neck muscles,
you will start pulling with your neck instead of isolating
your abs. Pilates exercises are great for targetting the
lower abdominal area. Have a trainer show you what
you need to do to get those abdominals in check and
look like you are fit!
