As you pursue your medical weight loss plan, we hope you’ll be thrilled with watching the numbers on your scale change. Gradually, over a period of months, you will watch that number drop as you shed unwanted pounds from your body. But while weight is one thing, body composition is another. We can’t really control where the fat loss comes from, and which areas of our body begin to look slim the soonest. What we can control is our exercise habits, so you can take measures to tone up any areas that are bothering you.
For many people, a flatter stomach is the goal. And while six-pack abs can be difficult for most of us to obtain without extreme efforts, we can all tone up our midsection and flatten it somewhat with exercise. As a bonus, a toned and strengthened abdomen also aids your posture and helps you to perform other exercises correctly and safely.
As you might have heard, there is one type of exercise that is known for toning your abdomen in just minutes per day. And the great news is that you don’t need any special gym equipment, so you can do this move anywhere! We’re talking about planks. But of course, performing them correctly is the key to maximizing your results.
First, use proper form when you do your planks. Your weight should be resting on your forearms, with your elbows directly underneath your shoulders. Then extend your body in a straight line behind you, staying completely level. Don’t arch your back or allow your bottom to rise up in the air.
Hold the position as long as you can, keeping in mind that thirty seconds is really great for a beginner! The goal is to work up to two-minute planks eventually, and to perform them several times per day.
As your planks get longer and stronger, you can add some variations such as lifting one leg behind you, lifting one arm, or combining those moves with opposite arms and legs.
And of course, check with your doctor before starting an exercise routine. Make an appointment with us as you begin your medical weight loss plan, so that we can screen you for underlying conditions and offer you tips on safe exercise and weight loss.
