If your goal is flat abs, then the 3-step belly-fat-blasting regimen in today’s blog better be part of your routine.

Incorporating this plan will allow you to achieve a trimmer waistline while maintaining perfect posture and a sleek physique.

Meaning, even if you’re spending time in the gym, using this simple approach will ensure that the fat stores in your waistline will shrink.

The end result? You’ll be on your way to abs you LOVE!

Step 1: Learn About Your Abs

The first step of getting flat abs is to train the muscles. When it comes to the abdominals, you have three different sets of muscles: the rectus abodminis, obliques, and transverse abdominis. 

Let’s start with the rectus abdomonis. These muscles  flow from your ribcage to your pelvis, and those are your crunching muscles (what gives you those 6-pack abs!).

Then, we have obliques (internal and external). Whenever you do twisting motions, you’re using your obliques!

The last set of muscles are your transverse abdominis. The transverse abdomonis are your posture muscles, and they run across your body. Think of them as your built-in Spanx! Having trained transverse muscles keeps your belly tightened inward. You use these muscles when you have to squeeze in your tightest pair of jeans without getting pinched!

Look what happens when I’m not engaging my transverse muscles (see photo on left). If I just let my muscles hang out, I get a little belly! Being in this position puts pressure on my lower back, and notice how my poor posture makes me look older and thicker! The trick is to engage your transverse muscles…even when you’re standing! You don’t have to get down on the floor doing ab exercises to be working your abdominals!

Step 2. Burn off the fat!

We all have two types of fat — subcutaneous, which is underneath your skin, and visceral fat, which is marbled through your organs and muscles. The best way to get rid of both kinds is to do HIIT workouts. High

Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is a simple concept. After warming up, you push yourself with bursts of high intensity, then pull back the intensity to a steady state. Burst…then pull back, and repeat. This type of training will help burn the fat on your body, including your belly, in the fastest time.

For a sample interval training workout, click here.

Step 3. Abs are made in the kitchen!

The last, and probably the most important step to getting rid of belly fat, is you HAVE to watch what goes in your mouth! Remember: calories count! It’s the whole picture of eating that gives you the results you want! Although there’s no single food that will reduce body fat, you want to make sure you’re incorporating lean protein, lots of veggies and fruit, and staying away from sugar and refined carbohydrates.

If you’re looking for some delicious recipes, don’t miss my Sweet as Summer Quinoa Salad, Steamed Fish With Chinese Herbs, and Italian Style Scramble. 

While you’re at it, think about your drink! During your day, don’t reach for those sugary, carbonated beverages. Instead, fill up with water!

Here’s to your health!

 For a variety of 10-minute ab routines to trim away the inches and re-discover your abs, try my Tummy Trimmers DVD!