Most effective workouts for belly flab?

[candiland]

What are the most effective workouts for belly flab? I heard that things like sit ups and crunches in and of themselves aren't all that effective. I fear that after birthing my two babes, my stomach will never be flat again. A slight pooch is okay, but right now I look like I'm preggo from a side angle!!!

I'm joining a gym for my birthday, courtesy of my dh and MIL. What classes and activities would help me achieve a flatter belly?

[Nathan1097]

Bad news for you- I do judo twice a week and that's REALLY extenive in the crunches and push-ups and general running-around, and I STILL have a saggy neutered-cat belly! Its extra skin for one and for another, that's the last place the body wants to let go of fat. I bought shorts today that are a size 3, yet I still have this tummy in there! (If I had a tummy tuck, would I wear a smaller size?) You see my point.... I have MUSCLES under that squish too! :LOL That said, you can always lose weight just by doing cardio. Building muscle ANYwhere on your body will help raise your metabolism.

[EllieB]

Try looking here . Especially the parts where they talk about the best exercises to do. They've done some study to figure out the effectivness of different ab exercises and this site has a couple articles explaining how to do the most effective ones. I have been working on this since my 2nd was born, so for about 14 months. I don't think my stomach will ever be completely flat, underneath my bellybutton it is still a bit saggy but I have come a long way since doing these exercises. Good luck!!

[Millie Ivy]

well, i have a very low body fat %, have strong abdominals and all that rot. And guess what--- still have the loose skin hanging there...: It has lessened gradually but I don't think there is anything you can do to speed up nature. And crunches work fine as long as you are doing them properly and contracting the muscle. Try doing them on a balance ball so they are harder and do 3 sets of 15, treating the abs like any other muscle group. Work them harder, but leave a day in between workouts for the muscle to rest and heal. Doing the exercises with a balance ball or weights etc. also helps your form!