I won’t lie, my stomach is in the best shape it’s ever been! And before you think ‘well your head’s got bigger too!’ , we should all celebrate our good bits, right?! It’s part of the Turn’d Up ethos. It has taken some work and effort to get to this point, so I thought I’d write a list of what has worked for me.
Oh, and that is NOT to say that a flat stomach is the be all and end all. As you know, at Turn’d Up we love all shapes and sizes and encourage everyone to rock those crop tops! But, for those of you who have asked, here goes…
Living on the veg
I’m usually dancing, teaching or at the gym so what I put in my body is super important for me. I need to avoid energy slumps! My food has to have nutritional value and be clean. The main points I follow:
I’m a vegetarian and always try to opt for plant-based meals with protein. The protein fills you up so you’re less likely to snack.
I try to avoid carbs after 6pm and I give refined carbs (white bread, white rice etc) a miss. They make me feel bloated and urgh.
Give sugar the swerve. Yep, it’s hard to pass up chocolate! But sugars in processed foods can cause bloating. Plus, sugary foods are empty calories that cause energy spikes and dips so you eat more to gain back that energy… And there’s your vicious cycle right there.
H2 – Oh yeah
So often I think I’m hungry but I’m just thirsty! It’s recommended we drink 1.2 to 1.5 litres a day, more in hot weather or exercising. I reckon I drink 3-4 litres a day! Also I love green tea – its antioxidants rev up your metabolism so you burn more calories. Oh, and I avoid alcohol. Sorry!
Strike a pose
Or just stretch really high… Instant flat tum!
Slouching will accentuate your belly fat, so fix your posture! It’s such a quick and easy trick to look instantly trimmer, plus it makes you strong, healthy and less prone to injury. Exercises that strengthen your core will affect your posture positively.
Yoga is a fantastic way of improving your posture. I’m a huge fan, (especially
Alex Donavan’s Yogability). Not only does it improve your posture, but also your balance, flexibility, strength. And I challenge you not to come out of yoga feeling more relaxed and Zen about life in general!
Move ya body girl
Sit ups and crunches will tone stomach muscles, but there are other exercises that are just as good, if not better. I’m talking about:
Squats
Deadlifts
Assisted pull-ups.
Find out how to all of these
here – the guys at UFit know their stuff!
*However* if you don’t burn the fat, you aren’t going to see the muscles underneath. So you need aerobic exercise too. Running and walking are two of the best fat burning exercises. I’m actually a hill sprint addict! Plus you’ve got to love that post-run glow. Speaking of glow…
Get Turn’d Up (obvs)
Well, you knew this was coming didn’t you! Dancing is a fantastic form of aerobic fitness. You can burn up to 900 calories in a
TUF class. And all that winding, dropping, twerking is toning and trimming the waistline. It’s no coincidence so many
TUF instructors have six packs! We talk about the Turn’d Up butt, but the Turn’d Up tum should definitely get a mention too!
Anything I’ve missed off? Comment below!
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