Best exercise for flattening tummy?

Okay...I know I need to do aerobics for fat burning.  I am researching and have found a lot of info. that contradicts crunches and sit ups for ab firming and flattening.  Since you are all doing what I'm doing...I'll bet some of you can tell me with what exercise(s) you've seen the most ab flattening and firming?

Fork put downs and plate push aways.

In other words diet.

Original Post by littlesimongeorge:

Fork put downs and plate push aways.

In other words diet.

 This.

Abs are made in the kitchen.

clean up your diet... whole foods only, no added sugars, nothing processed

limit salt

drink lots of water

eat lots of fresh produce and lean protein

consume less then you burn... ie: have a calorie defecit

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and if you're going to do excersize, do intervals, HIIT, sprints.. all give better results then steady state cardio, they also help burn more fat while sparing precious muscle tissue, and raise metabolism for hours later even after you've cooled down!

best ab excersizes: reverse crunches, leg lifts, planks, weighted crunches on a stability ball.. focus on overall core strength and lower abdominals

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always keep your abs tight and your tummy in while standing/walking/running... etc.

Original Post by carmenxox:

best ab excersizes: reverse crunches, leg lifts, planks, weighted crunches on a stability ball.. focus on overall core strength and lower abdominals

That's a negative. For one, your core is everything below your armpits and above your knees. Secondly, one gets a better core workout from deadlifts or overhead squats. Plenty of people NEVER do crunches, planks etc and have excellent core strength.

All your other advice was good though.

Yeah, I already know how to lose weight guys...my question was about firming my abs.  Thanks to those of you who took my question seriously.  I've lost the weight... now I have a few months ahead of me to polish it up.

Original Post by bmx419:

Original Post by carmenxox:

best ab excersizes: reverse crunches, leg lifts, planks, weighted crunches on a stability ball.. focus on overall core strength and lower abdominals

That's a negative. For one, your core is everything below your armpits and above your knees. Secondly, one gets a better core workout from deadlifts or overhead squats. Plenty of people NEVER do crunches, planks etc and have excellent core strength.

All your other advice was good though.

 I know that... but the OP wasn't asking about overall core strength now was she? she was asking how to firm abs.

there are tons of excersizes you can do that work your entire core.. and yes I know lifting requires you to have a strong core.

I'm just saying that when most people do crunches they only end up working the upper part of the abdominals, and very rarely target the obliques and lower region. But with excerisizes like reverse crunchs and leg swivels you'll be able to target the overall ab area and get better results.

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but obviously first of all diet needs to be cleaned up if you ever want those cuts to show