Crunches or Dieting-
What's the best way to flatten your stomach?
Courtesy of Carolyn Classick-Kohn, MS, RD

Trying to flatten your stomach - Looking for that "six pack"?

Did you know that sit-ups and crunches alone will not burn off fat from the stomach region specifically? Many people believe that sit-up routines crunches, sit-ups, leg lifts, etc) will flatten their stomach. While these exercise routines will tone this region (though sometimes even results in enlargement of this region), flattening the stomach is not so easy. Instead of concentrating so much on your stomach, a cardiovascular exercise program and a smart diet low in fat is probably the best chance you have of flattening that stomach. Cardiovascular fitness requires moving more of the large muscle groups throughout your body thereby increasing your metabolism, burning calories, and if you burn more calories than you eat from food, it will reduce your weight. Eating a low fat diet, within a 25%-30% fat range, is recommended. (Get our free newsletter  and get an expert's strategies, tips, articles, giveaways and more!) 

Most people eat too much fat, and don't balance their calories, so those crunches don't have much of an impact. This is where a dietitian can help.  Diets designed by these experts can show you how to eat the right balance of these and other foods in your diet.  If you really want to lose those love handles, flatten your stomach, and/or improve your health, do what the experts, models, and athletes do to improve their physiques-start an exercise and fitness program and learn how to eat right.  Crunches and sit ups will help, but if that's all you're doing, it's not enough. The trick to flattening your stomach is more crunch and learning what to munch!

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