Female Abs - Six Pack Abs For The Ladies

Not many years ago, if you said to someone that you wanted a six pack they would have told you to go to the liquor store. Today it seems that wanting to improve and tone ones body is very high on our list of priorities. Looking to achieve a rock like chiselled stomach is not just for men either, more and more women are looking upon the six pack as a sign of extreme fitness. Geri Halliwell is probably one of the more noticeable example of sexy abs lately, she didn't get like this over night though.

There will be men out there that will start pulling their hair out at my next comment, but it's true. Women are more likely to succeed at gaining sexy abs than men are to get ripped! Women can put a picture in their mind of what they want to achieve and keep going until they achieve it. Men on the other hand, well we get a picture in our mind and it probably lasts until the next pizza or wild party. Men will achieve their goals; it just takes a little longer.

Whether you are male or female, achieving sexy abs can not be done without a controlled diet. There are many diets for weight loss which are very good, but you are looking for a fat burning diet which will also provide the nutrition which enables you to exercise. There is no point trying to simply cut down on the amount you eat whilst training, you will simply collapse from exhaustion because you do not have the correct vitamins and supplements.

Ant training regiment must only be undertaken when you understand what it is you want and what it takes to achieve it.

If you want to get six pack abs, think positively, set aside time to exercise and make sure that you warm up properly.

You may not always see the results within the first couple of weeks, after a month to six weeks you will start to see improvements, if you stick to the proper training.

Above all, if you are exercising at home, train safely and follow a good guide. Eat sensibly and drink plenty of water to keep hydrated.

For more information on how to get a great six pack click - Six Pack Abs

Choosing The Best Pilates Abs Exercise DVD's For Your Lower Ab Workouts

There are hundreds of Pilates abs exercise DVD's out in the marketplace. How do you choose?

First, have you tried Pilates? Maybe you've seen Pilates abs exercise DVD's on the shelves of your favorite bookstore, or at your local DVD rental store. Whether you are trying to lose weight, or maintain your fitness during a pregnancy, you are sure to find some Pilates exercise DVD's for your next fitness workout.

The best Pilates abs exercise DVD's are the ones that are performed by a Pilates professional and offer a total body workout. Pilates is for the whole body! Most DVD’s of Pilates mat exercises will present that, but some focus on lower ab workouts. Others may concentrate on legs, arms or butt exercises.

Here are a few examples of Pilates exercise DVD's:

• Mari Winsor: Mari is a commercialized big seller and popular with celebrities. Her DVD's are traditionally based and move at a rapid pace. Her Winsor Pilates DVD's are geared to the established Pilates practitioner and not necessarily for a Pilates beginner. However, her style is easy going and her method of Pilates is more classical and calisthenic.

• Moira Stott Merrithew: Another huge seller. Moira’s DVD's are safe, slow and very well explained. Her pacing is generally slower than a more traditional approach. She has taken the Pilates method and applied current biomechanical knowledge, so you’re in good hands, though may need a cup of coffee to get through.

• Ana Caban: Ana has DVD's distributed through Gaiam. She’s likable and her exercises are easily understood. But I always feel like something is missing. The workouts never feel complete to me. She is knowledgeable and the most pleasant of any you’ll see in any of the Pilates abs exercise DVD's out there. They are a safe choice.

• Romana Kryzanowska: Romana is a legend who actually studied with Joseph Pilates. She teaches the only way she knows how. She does “what Joe taught me”. What you get is the closest thing to what was invented by Pilates himself. Her DVD's are not easy! Even the basic moves might be considered too tough for a Pilates beginner. But it’s pure and fun and in the end, it’s very refreshing!

Beware of Pilates abs exercise DVD's that offer workouts for body parts. Pilates DVD's of lower ab workouts and ab exercises are not complete thoughts. Pilates is a full body workout. Try a few different Pilates abs exercise DVD's. Or better yet, find a qualified instructor in your area and make an appointment.

Susannah Marchese is a certified Pilates fitness instructor and a senior contributing writer to http://www.everything-about-pilates.com/absexercise-dvds.html

Susannah Marchese - http://www.everything-about-pilates.com

Over 40? Reduce Belly Fat And Get 6 Pack Abs

This is not a story of 'washboard' abs. Rather suggestions on ways to achieve great looking abs - firm, maybe even rippled and most importantly well-toned abs - and a trim waistline. All those are achievable, but beware accepting any myths about flat stomachs and spot reduction around the waist. False promises about reducing belly fat are abundant!

First some basics. When you are exercising, you are consuming energy measured in calories. When you consume enough to deplete the available energy, and enough to reduce the sugars that convert easily, the body goes after stored energy. That stored energy is largely in the form of fat deposits in adipose tissue.

That process however takes place non-selectively. It's not your choice which fat deposits the body converts. That would be way too convenient! This means, you can't achieve 'spot reduction' by working on your abs. The effect is still doable, but doing abdominal exercises alone will not target that fat.

By focusing your workout on the abs, you are building strength in that area. This is done by by increasing the muscle mass in those muscles. That's beneficial for a number of reasons:

- It provides for a firm, strong layer of muscle

- This muscle helps keep the stomach and other internal organs well inside the plane defined by your hips.

- You can achieve a reduction in belly fat

- You get a nice lean, trim, flat look...and maybe the start of those 6 pack abs!

The is an additional benefit to abdominal workouts. As the abdominals are proportionately larger muscles, they consume a proportionately larger percentage of energy than, say, your jaw muscles. That means that as you work them, they have to be supplied with more energy to move through the range of the exercise. The benefit is that working this muscle group burns many calories, resulting in weight loss and fat reduction.

Sadly no shortcuts exist. There are no gadgets, supplements or drugs currently on the market that will accomplish this task safely and effectively as a substitute. Real, lasting results are only achieved through proper diet and regular, moderate to heavy exercise. There's no shortcut to a trim waist, at least not yet.

Not to add insult to injury but the effects are also limited by genetics and age. Some folks store more fat around the middle (belly) more readily than others. Gender - read men - obviously makes a difference as well.

Often women in their 40's will naturally develop a pouch in the lower abdomen. This is frequently a result of hormonal changes. Men frequently will naturally develop 'love handles' at the side, since they store fat in adipose tissue there more readily in their 40s than they did in their 20s.

The desired effect is only achieved by working out and approaching muscle fatigue. Performing one hundred crunches will not accomplish that. When performed correctly, 20 proper reps is enough. You don't even have to go to the gym. You can do pelvic tilts while sitting in a chair in the office.

For best effect, warm up by running or briskly walking for 15 minutes and try the following exercise:

Lie on your back, with your knees raised and cross your arms across your chest. Then lift your shoulders off the floor and hold for 30 seconds. You can feel the effect on your abs already. To make the exercise more difficult, put your hands at the side of your head. Don't use your hands to lift your head, just keep them still. For maximum effort, put your hands above your head, then perform the same shoulder lift and hold, focusing on the abs.

This is just one of many exercises designed to get rid of this over 40 belly fat. While wash board six pack abs might not be in reach, a leaner, fitter you certainly is.

The author, R.A. Shore, knows firsthand the benefits of fitness over 40 are weight loss, lower cholesterol, leaner body composition and more energy, to name few. Review real life case studies, find out more about maintaining a health life after age 40 and to listen to a free audioFIT newsletter visit Physical Fitness Articles Make the most of your ab and core exercise head over to Physical Fitness Articles today