Muffin tops used to be viewed in a positive light. They were the golden-brown, firmest parts of the muffin that were utterly delicious and addictive. Nowadays, a muffin top represents the fat that hangs over your waistband, be it in the stomach region, sides, or even that fat that creeps over the back of your pants. Since you can’t successfully tuck it all away in flattering attire, there’s only one way to get rid of it: the combination of diet and exercise.
Exercises that strengthen the core are wonderful, but they won’t yield the results you want unless you change your eating habits. Diet and exercise go hand in hand, and you can’t out exercise a poor diet. In addition to maintaining a healthy diet and engaging in core workouts, cardiovascular exercise is a must. Don’t try to spot-reduce; rather, the goal should be to spot-sculpt. Get rid of excess fat through diet and cardio workouts, and then add in the following core workouts to sculpt that midsection.
Hip Bridge
This exercise works to target your glutes, hamstrings, and lower back muscles. If you decide to extend one leg up toward the ceiling to increase difficulty, you’ll activate those lower back muscles even more to help get rid of back fat. Lie flat on your back with your feet flat and knees bent. Keep your arms by your sides as you lift your hips toward the sky. Engage your core and hold for three seconds. Lower your back onto the floor and then repeat to finish your reps. Complete three sets of 15 reps.
Hip Dips
Are you ready for those obliques to burn? These are great for toning the entire waistline! Lie down on your right side and plant your right forearm firmly beneath your shoulder. Extend your legs out, resting your left leg on top of your right. Press yourself up into a side plank and then dip back to the ground. Complete three sets of 12 reps per side.
Bicycle Crunches
This is one of the most effective exercises to target your entire abdominal area. You can almost feel the muffin top melt away with every set. Lie down on your back and place your hands behind your head to support your neck. Extend your right leg out and bend your left leg. Bring your right elbow to your left knee. Once you do this, extend your left leg out and twist to bring your left elbow to your right knee as you bend it. This should be done in one fluid motion, as though you are riding a bike. Keep alternating for 30 seconds. Repeat two more times.
Mountain Climbers
Your abdominal area cannot just be thought of as your abs. You have to tone your entire midsection to get rid of that muffin top, often times incorporating aerobics into your abdominal workouts. Mountain climbers do just that! Start in a plank position with your arms fully extended and hands planted firmly on the ground beneath your shoulders. Bring your right knee between your arms, quickly extend it back, and then bring your left knee between your arms. Keep alternative for 30 seconds. Repeat two more times.
Superman
You have to tighten the lower back muscles for a full-fledged core workout. This is a great prone position (face down) to counteract the supine (face up) ab workouts in this article. Lie face down on the floor and extend your arms above your head. Tighten your core and glutes to lift your legs and arms off the ground. The goal is to look like Superman in flight. Hold for 20 seconds and then drop back down to rest for 20 seconds. Repeat two more times.
Crunches
Let’s keep toning those abdominal muscles by continuing with crunches. This is an exercise to really help you develop that washboard. Lie flat on your back with your feet on the ground and knees bent. Place your hands behind your head, but don’t pull your head up with your hands. Engage your core and use those muscles to lift your head off the ground. Complete two sets of 10-20 reps, depending on your level of fitness.
