A toned stomach will make you feel better about your appearance and boost your confidence. You will likely feel stronger and have better posture. Having a strong core also reduces your chances of certain diseases. Doing basic sit-ups or crunches will not give you results. Focus on core exercises that are appropriate for your fitness level. Ask a doctor for suggestions if you are new to fitness in order to reduce injuries.
Core Exercises
Core exercises include abdominal moves but they also work out other areas of the body that can help keep your stomach toned. These include your lower back, hips and pelvis. Traditional push-ups and crunches on a stability ball both work these areas of your body to help tighten your core.
Exercises for Fitness Level
Exercising too much or too hard will make you susceptible to injuries such as back pain or muscle tears in the stomach. Start at a basic level to see how your body feels. FitnessMagazine.com recommends moves such as single leg squats and standing broad jumps for beginners. In a single leg squat, you suck in the stomach while squatting and lifting one leg off the floor. You also squat during the second exercise but you jump forward, landing with your knees bent. Your abs are still engaged during these exercises. MayoClinic.com recommends working your way up to 15 repetitions of a particular exercise. You will gain more results from the quality of the moves, not the quantity.
Benefits
Having a toned stomach improves your posture, stability, fitness level and balance. If you have strength in your legs and arms, an un-toned stomach may make you feel off balance and hinder your performance during workouts. Reduced fat around the stomach also decreases your risk for heart disease and high blood pressure. Womenshealthmag.com reports that having a toned stomach reduces your chance of gallstones by 60 percent and kidney cancer by 40 percent.
Considerations
A flat stomach cannot be achieved through abdominal exercises alone. Aerobic exercises burn fat, while strength training tones muscles. Although exercising helps tone abdominal muscles, they will not come into shape if they are lost under stomach fat linked to a poor diet. Smaller, more frequent meals can help you fight off hunger. When you eat larger meals, you consume more calories that can cause stomach bulge. Packaged foods and junk food also adds bulk to the stomach. Opt for whole grains, low-fat dairy products, lean meats, fruits and green leafy vegetables.
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