As children and teenagers spend more time with technical gadgets such as computers, video games and other modern electronics, young waistlines are expanding across the U.S. Sedentary lifestyles coupled with poor eating habits are major contributors to these early weight problems. Teenagers will find that cleaning up unhealthy food consumption, consistent aerobic exercise and abdominal strength-training exercises help shed fat from the abdomen.
Aerobic Exercise
To shrink your waistline, you must lose body fat. Unfortunately, you can not control the areas of your body that will shed fat. However, as you lose fat around your entire body, your abdomen will lose fat as well. Aerobic exercise is an ideal method of burning calories to rid your body of fat. Examples of aerobic exercise include walking, running, swimming, hiking, jumping rope and participating in various sports. Strive to perform at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise most days of the week along with each abdominal strength-training exercise.
Side Planks
To strengthen your obliques, perform side planks with your other abdominal-strengthening exercises. Lie on your left side on the floor with your body propped up on your left elbow and forearm. Keep your legs and back straight throughout the exercise. Lift your left hip off the floor until your body forms a straight line from your head to your feet. Hold this pose for three counts. Slowly return to the original position. Perform three sets of 10 repetitions on both sides of your body.
Vertical Crunches
Vertical crunches strengthen your lower and central abdominal muscles. Lie on the floor with your arms straight beside you for support. Keeping your abdominal muscles tightened, raise your straightened legs into the air so that they are perpendicular to the floor. Lift your buttocks off the floor and push your feet toward the ceiling. Return your buttocks to the floor. Perform three sets of 10 repetitions of this exercise.
Roman Chair Lifts
Use a Roman chair at a fitness facility to target your lower abdominal muscles. Place your forearms on the arm rests of the chair to support your body weight. With your back flat against the back rest of the chair, your abdominals tight and your legs hanging suspended below you, slowly bring your knees toward your chest by bending at the knees. Hold this position for one count, then slowly return your legs to the original position. Perform three sets of 15 repetitions.
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