Flat Belly (part II)
Posted by Jeanne Schmit on Mon, Aug 03, 2009 @ 02:18 PM
Let's do an abdominal crunch with the new technique.
Lie on your back, knees bent, feet on the floor.
1. Place one hand your lower belly (below your navel).
2. Use the five part process in Flat Belly I to fully engage your deep abdominals.
3. Kegel and "zip up". You should feel your belly pull away from your hand.
4. Keep the contraction and slowly curl your head up and off the floor.
Did your belly push outwards? Try it again to be sure. Keep your belly is flat and pulled inward.
5. Lower back half way and repeat.
The difference is your belly must stay pulled inward. Your pelvic floor muscle will help you do just that.
Yes, men have a pelvic floor. To find it, draw your jewels up into your body. Feel it?
Contraction of your pelvic floor is necessary before your deep abdominal muscles will connect and work to pull your belly in. If you don't believe me, completely let go of your pelvic floor (pretend like you're peeing) and try to pull in your belly. You can't. Right?
In addition to a flat belly, you get a bonus of a stronger back. In fact, ab exercises done without the pelvic floor are not helping to strengthen your back, and, instead could cause more back trouble.
Apply this to every ab exercise you do and you'll feel and see the difference.
I'd love to hear how it's working for you! We'll take it a bit further in Flat Belly (part III).
photo courtesy of mewall82