With age comes wisdom. Our priorities shift: We learn to enjoy life a bit
more and appreciate the smaller moments. One thing that may no longer be a
priority? Six-pack abs. We often associate a "ripped" midsection with the
superficial vanity of youth - and while health may remain high on our list,
doing endless crunches starts to seem like a lost or empty cause.
But having a strong midsection isn't just about showing off your
flat-bellied results. Working your core is about stability, balance, protecting
your back...and much, much more. So abdominal exercises are still important as
we age; in fact, they might just be more important than ever before.
Here's
why:
Stopping the "Spread".
Many of my friends over 40 tell me that
they're no longer worried about carving sculpted abs - they just want to stop
the "spread," or widening of the midsection, that seems to come with age. But
this spread isn't necessarily inevitable; you can halt it with proper diet,
cardio, strength training, and, of course, core exercising. Moves that tighten
your obliques (the muscles on the side of your abs, where the "muffin top" can
start to appear) will help re-create that hourglass figure.
The Fun Factor.
Just about everything we enjoy in life that is
remotely physical requires abdominal function - from skiing to golf, dancing to
sex. (Yep, you read that correctly...have I got your attention now?) So
remember: crunches and ab exercises are not a fruitless workout. Quite the
contrary!
Giving Gravity a Run For Its Money.
We all know some seniors who
seem to "stoop over" more and more every year. (And most of us have had the
thought, "Not me! Never me!") This is, of course, due to poor posture, but
many of us don't associate standing up straight with having a strong core. But
think of it this way: What's keeping your ribs from collapsing right onto your
pelvis? We know there's no secret group of bones in our bellies. When it comes
to holding our bodies upright, our abs are all we've got.
So how do you begin to sculpt and preserve our "ageless abs"? Simple, start with two of my favorite products that focus fully on your core and abs...
Stay Firm Upper Body Kit with DVD Workout and Tummy Trimmer DVD.
Both of these workouts are broken into 10-15 minute routines so you can mix it up and avoid those pesky plateaus. Perfect for every fitness level because you can choose the intensity of your workout everyday.
See all of Kathy's Products....
Why is Vitamin D so important for our body?
Check out this weeks bodyIQ column!
