A Very Good Exercise Program For Your Toned Stomach

By Leif Oakman


Increasing personal fitness is a goal held by just about everyone. Learning the proper way to improve strength and stamina has the potential to pay great dividends in appearance, confidence and overall happiness. By taking to heart the tips that follow, it is possible to take the first crucial steps toward true physical fitness. Best toned stomach tricks.

When you are exercising strenuously, it is essential to keep yourself well-hydrated. Even early stages of dehydration can put stress on your cardiovascular system, impair coordination, and cloud your thinking. An easy rule-of-thumb is to drink 16 ounces of water before you begin your exercise, and then an additional 8-10 ounces of water every 15 minutes while you are exercising.

Being fit isn't just about exercising, but also eating right. Watch what you put in your body by being a vigilant reader of food nutritional labels. Avoid sugars and fats, and look for foods high in fiber. Examine labels closely to see how many servings are in a package so that you're not unknowingly adding calories. Although it's always best to eat fresh foods, knowing the nutritional values of packaged foods can keep you on top of your fitness game.

If you are just starting out lifting weights, make sure you train to failure. In other words, lift weights until you can't possibly lift any more. This is a great way to jump start your body and studies have shown that new lifters can make exceptional gains with this strategy.

Set a period of time to work out. Generally, if a work out lasts longer than an hour, you start produce a stress chemical, cortisol. Cortisol has been found to reduce the effects of a work out due to its counterbalancing properties with testosterone. Cortisol can also cause you to increase your body's ability to store fat because it is a stress hormone.

Rest is critical to any fitness program or regimen. Ensure that you are getting the proper amount of sleep (6-8 hours per night, depending on your particular age and body type). In addition to regular, nightly sleep, you will need to build periods of rest into your exercise schedule to avoid damaging your joints, overloading your muscles and injuring yourself.

Keep a work out journal. Writing down how many reps you did at what weight can have a calming effect on the body. Writing down how you work out can also help you to organize what exercises you perform on what day. Journals also provide you with a sort of exercise ledger that can help you predict your progress over time.

It is important to know what and when to eat and drink according to the type of exercises you plan to do. If you are training with weights, you should eat a protein bar or drink a protein shake immediately after you have finished your workout. This allows your body to get the most from your fuel.

Do you feel like you can do it? Of course you can! If you use these tips and suggestions as a starting point, you can be in the best shape of your life. You will not only look better, but you will feel better and have more energy than ever before.




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