Imagine how you would feel if you had to wear a girdle. Sure, you may have joked about it, and even half-way seriously assumed that you should wear one. I want you to take a moment to really think, though, what it would be like to really wear one, though. In this article, we’re going to discuss how your body already has a natural girdle, and why the current training techniques you’re probably using, are actually holding yourself back from having the midsection you’ve always wanted.

Flatten Your Stomach – A Lesson in Basic Abdominal Anatomy

Before I get going on the meat of our “lesson” today, I want to first point out that your body is not meant to “look a certain way.” It is simply meant to perform a certain way, and it does so without you having to even think about it. Your body stores fat automatically, it fights off infections without your noticing it, and it even prompts you for food without you being aware of it. Like a well-made computer, your body has processes that go completely un-noticed by you, and it responds to data and information input, and displays what you put into it. If you put trash into it, it will operate exactly how it must, all the time.

This is why training your abs correctly is important. Your midsection is simply there to “function” a specific way. In order to have your midsection display what you wish for it to, you must play by its rules. You wouldn’t put your ice-cream in your computer for it to keep cold. Your computer isn’t meant for that. The freezer’s function supports that action. Your abs also function for a specific job.

I am going to give you a basic lesson in Abdominal Anatomy. I will give you the muscle name, where it is located, its function, and an exercise that you can perform in order to work that particular muscle in the way it was designed. When you work with this in mind, your midsection will respond by displaying what you want it to, because it will be operating optimally.

Rectus Abdominis: The Six Pack Muscles
When you were told that you needed to flatten your stomach (by either yourself or that deadbeat boyfriend/girlfriend), you were probably thinking that you should go on a diet and do some crunches. The muscle that you were probably thinking about was the six pack muscle in the front of most peoples’ midsection. This is known as the Rectus Abdominis.

-Function:
Contrary to most peoples’ beliefs about this muscle, it is NOT meant to crunch your upper body toward your lower body. Sit ups and crunches do not work this muscle to its fullest potential. It’s true function is to flex the lower body upward, toward your ribs. You may not think there is any difference, but there is.

-Training:
The best way to train these muscles are by doing “reverse crunches” which resemble a regular crunch, but by bringing the knees up toward your shoulders, rather than bringing your elbows to your knees.

Obliques: Internnal and External
Obliques are the “side muscles.” If you have “rolls” then you’re going to want to tighten up your obliques. You have two sets, internal and external.

-Function:
The main function of the obliques is to help you bend to the side, as well as rotate your lower body. The obliques also help compress the abdomen (which is what we’re looking for).

-Training:
One of the finest exercises I can recommend is Dumbbell Sidebends. Holding one dumbbell in one hand, bend toward the opposite side. You should feel your side contract. This will also hit your internal obliques.

Transversus Abdominis: The Internal Abs
These little beauties are NEVER hit because no one knows how to train them. The reason being is that their function is isolated to one thing.

-Function:
Abdomen compression. Their goal is to compress the abs. This is your natural girdle. The only problem is that there are very few workouts that actually work the transversus because crunches can’t, and side bends can’t. The only way you can contract your transversus is by compressing your abs. There are two main exercises you can do, but I am going to only share one of them with you.

-Training:
There is an exercise known as the plank that forces you to contract your transversus. Get on your hands and toes (as if you were about to do a push up). Make sure your body is COMPLETELY straight. This makes sure that your abs are engaged. Hold this position for as long as you can. Repeat. You will feel your abs instantly tighten after this exercise. This exercise is sure to flatten your stomach in a matter of weeks.

Do you click away and not put any of this into practice, or do you continue on and do what I just explained above? Putting it into action is going to be the key to your success in getting the body you want. I’m sorry to put that to you so bluntly, but you need to do it.

If you still don’t feel it, and you need more motivation and tools, check out “Flatten Stomach” blog at http://flattenstomachnow.blogspot.com. It’s a resource that gives all the information you need in short, bite-sized pieces.

Article Source: Flatten Your Stomach – The Sexy Basics of Abdominal Anatomy