How to Get a Flat Stomach: Ab Workout for Women

As we get closer to beach season, our minds start to dream of flat stomachs and the disappearance of muffin tops. Getting a great ab workout doesn’t mean you have to spend hours in the gym. You can just as easily get a great ab workout right in your own home! But the true secret to a great midsection is a combination of a dedicated fitness routine, diet, and the right mindset. Because really, no matter how many hours you spend in the gym, if you aren’t motivated and aren’t eating right, those abs you dream of will never happen. So here are the top 7 tips to get that flat stomach you’ve been dreaming of – just in time for beach season!

1. Eat protein

Protein is one of the building blocks of lean muscle and an essential component of any healthy diet. It can also help you burn fat so it’s important that you are getting a good amount of protein each day. Lean protein has the highest thermogenic effect on the body, which causes your body to burn a ton of calories as it breaks it down.

You definitely don’t want to eat a big meal before you work out but you do need to make sure you are getting enough food to fill up your body’s energy reserves.

If possible, you should eat a small but nutritionally dense meal about 45-60 minutes before your workout. Your meal should consist of equal amounts of protein and carbs, with limited fat.

Try to keep your carbs on the low end of the glycemic index to avoid a spike in your blood sugar. Your protein should be something light so you don’t feel bloated or overly full before your workout (i.e. skip the steak and reach for protein powder, egg whites or chicken instead)!

A shake is a perfect choice for a pre-workout meal. Here’s a quick and easy post-workout shake for the hot summer days. Strawberries and bananas are fantastic carb sources and taste delicious too!

High Protein Strawberry-Banana Shake

Prep time: 5 minutes

Servings: 1
Calories: 200 kcal

Ingredients
4 oz. (110 g) strawberries
1 oz. (28 g) banana
1 scoop vanilla protein powder (1 oz. / 28 g)
1 tsp. flaxseed
Water

Instructions
1. Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend until fully mixed.
2. Start out with just a little water and then slowly add as much as you like to get the right consistency
3. Serve over ice or use frozen berries to give the shake a more smoothie-like consistency.

Source: www.thefitblog.com

3. Don’t fill up on water

Drinking too many liquids before a workout can actually make you feel bloated and uncomfortable. Try to minimize the amount of water you drink while you’re eating – keep it to 1 glass of water 10-15 minutes after eating.

4. Be realistic about your goals

Don’t be too hard on yourself and try to set a goal you know you can achieve. Expecting rock hard abs in just a few weeks may not be an achievable goal right away. Start small, like working towards reducing your overall body fat level and eating better. Eventually, those six-pack abs you’ve been dreaming of will be yours.

5. Dress the part

Before you start working out, invest in some quality form fitting clothing and a good sports bra. You’ll be more motivated to wear your new clothes and the right ones can make all the difference in your workout – especially the right kind of sports bra.The Shefit Perfect Lounge Bra is strategically engineered to give just enough lift to avoid the dreaded sag that comes with other seamless bras. Featuring an easy-on, easy-off front-zip closure and removable pads. The straps are significantly shorter by design, this makes you feel more supported and lifted than other seamless bras. Our rib band forms to your body for the most comfortable fit. The Perfect Lounge Bra is the most comfortable seamless bra... ever.

6. You have to want it

No matter what your goals – whether it’s killer abs or not, it has to be something you really want and will do anything to achieve. If you’re only partially committed, your goals will surely fall by the wayside. Your goals have to be something you think about and are immediately motivated by. If that motivation isn’t there, then it might not be the goal for you.

7. The Power of the Mind

The power of visualization can really help you achieve your goals, no matter what they are. Visualize your strong abs when you wake up and right before you go to bed. Try to imagine how it would feel to have that strong, sexy midsection. Imagining it has already happened will help you get closer to achieving your goal.  

And finally here is the best ab workout designed by Sara Marie Moylan, founder of Shefit. This ab workout for beginners can be done daily or as little as three times a week – depending on your motivation and your desire for that killer bikini body. It can be done after your regular cardio routine or on your strength training days. Beginners should focus on completing each rep, intermediate and advanced can repeat the circuit if desired.

In summary, the perfect abs you dream of can really be yours. With a healthy diet, the right mindset and a great workout routine, you can easily achieve your goal of a leaner midsection by beach season. And don’t forget a great workout needs the right kind of workout clothes too. Make sure you’re wearing a supportive sports bra that will not only help you feel more supported but one that’s comfortable too. Check outSheFit’s great line of sports bras – they’ll truly revolutionize the way you move!