Abs

Last summer I worked very hard to go from 121 pounds to 114 pounds, but my goal weight is 110 pounds.  I am 13 years old, and about 5'3".  I can't seem to get rid of these last 4 pounds!!  I really want to, and I have gotton to 110.5, but then I gained it again.  I really want to get rid of some fat, and I REALLY want to get abs!  I feel like I've been eating a lot more lately, and I have gained a few pounds, so I  really want to lose some fat.  I play tennis at least 5 times a week, and I just started yoga after Christmas, which has improved my flexibility alot.

Any suggestions of what I should do, exercises, or food??

Thanks!!

-Bri

Congrats on your weight loss =) I'm a devote athlete, so I work on my abs a LOT. I'm just going to give you heads up - you're not going to physically be able to see your abs until you do a LOT of excercises. But, in all honesty, I don't think many teen guys will fine a visible 6 pack appealing =P But there are plenty of ways to strengthen your abs and get a hard stomach...

- First of all, in terms of eating, try and up your protein intake a little bit. Don't go eating 100 grams of it - that won't help. Your body probably needs around 45 grams of protein, so try and get at least 40-50 grams of protein a day. Protein is what your body uses to build muscle.

- This is very important, please, please, PLEASE do yourself a favor and do these workouts every other day. One day you build your muscle, the next you give it a chance to heal, relax, and construct your abs. Working out every day will do nothing beneficial for you.

Now onto the excercises...

• Crunches. Classic. Sit down, feet flat, tuck your hands behind your ears but do not put any pressure on your head as you pull your body up with your abs. Make sure you gaze straight up at the cieling. Inhale on the way down, exhale on the way up. Do not bring your body up more than 20 or so degrees - this will hurt your back/neck. Do them quickly until you can't anymore and stop. Remember how many you did, then do this many reps the next time you work out, or take it slow and increase it by one or two reps.
• Jack knife crunches. Same thing, but instead of tucking your hands behind your ears, extend your arms out and point to the cieling, and reach towards the cieling and pull yourself up.
• The plank. I hate this, but it works. Get into a CORRECT push up position, but turn your arms over and rest on your forearms. Hold it for as long as you can.
• Bicycles. Lay on your back and lift your legs into the year, tucking your knees in. Rest your hands behind your ears again. Pull your right knee in and bring your left elbow across your body and touch your right knee. Do the same thing with your left knee and right elbow. Do this for 30 or so seconds.

Those are the most simple excercises you can do at your home. =) Good luck! Be smart!

Thanks so much!! I am definately going to try these workouts!  My friend and I really want to strengthen our abs for tennis and to look good (: , so we have each other for support.

-Bri