tummy and thighs toning

**cherci** · 09-23-2010 07:41 AM

does any one have any tips on how to tone the tummy and thigh with visible results in a short term if possible

**Jennie_F** · 10-24-2010 10:58 AM

so you want the magic pill, right?! :P The thing is: You can work as hard on your thighs and tummy as you want, if there's still fat all around them you will never see them. What I found best for "losing weight fast" is to go with a circuit training where you switch between strength training and cardio segments. That keeps your heart rate high, burns lots of calories and also builds muscles.

Jennie

**WhyWait** · 10-24-2010 12:54 PM

I agree with Jennie! Both cardio and strength are the key. But, to get best results, make sure your diet is clean! You have to eat less calories then you burn all day! *removing Spam* Track your activity and what you eat! That should help you see results faster.

Sorry, no magic pill. Just work hard for what you want, and stay the course!

~ Heather

**mwwo** · 10-28-2010 05:23 AM

Hi Cherci,

All good advice. Umbilical (abdominal) fat is also a byproduct of elevated cortisol levels - a stress hormone released by the adrenal glands. People tend to store more fat on their abs if their cortisol levels are too high. Cortisol is a "fight or flight" hormone that everybody has and levels should be at their highest in the morning and lowest last thing at night. If your cortisol levels are too high, you may have trouble sleeping.

Here's some typical ways that cortisol is elevated:

- Day to day stress
- High GI diets - lots of sugar. The body releases insulin to control your blood sugar, then cortisol to counteract the insulin.
- Too much coffee
- Irregular sleep patterns or not enough sleep

Cortisol is also catabolic, which means it breaks down muscle, ultimately lowering your metabolism. This is therefore a reason why 'stressed out' people can find it hard to lose weight.

So here are some ways to reduce it...

- Try to reduce stress in your life
- Eat a lower GI diet
- Drink coffee first thing in the morning an avoid it in the afternoon and definitely late at night
- Try to get 8 hours of sleep a night

Hope that helps!

Pete