Get rid of that belly flab!

Some stomach muscle exercises for those who are keen. Giving up chocolate and pastries also helps but has to be weighed against life's small pleasures:

1. The plank: lie on your front with your hands next to your shoulders. Take a good breath and raise your whole body off the floor so you are supported by your arms. Hold this position for as long as you can. Lower yourself (or fall) to the floor. Full description
2. Sit ups: start sitting up, legs out in front, knees bent, hands on your knees (or on opposite shoulders), fingers together. Let hands slide up your legs as you slowly lower yourself back onto the floor. Breathe in as you go down. Breathe out as you come back up (slowly for maximum benefit and to prolong the agony) into a sitting position. Be careful to raise your head first to protect your neck. Repeat as many times as you can. Full description
3. Leg raisers: lie flat on your back and mentally prepare yourself for what is to come! Bring one leg towards your body (bent), then straighten and raise your leg towards the ceiling with your toes pointing towards you. Then slowly (of course) lower your leg back towards the floor, keeping it straight. When your leg is really close to the floor but not touching it, raise it back up again. Repeat this movement 10 times if you can, then do the same using the other leg. Then prepare for the worst - keeping the legs and feet together, raise both legs towards your body, then up towards the ceiling. Lower them slowly towards the floor. Try to do this 5 times. Full description

In each of these exercises, I have tried to choose a softer version to link to (yoga approach if possible) as some of us are not trying to be body builders, and the breathing during these potentially agonising exercises is important to me (and to staying alive). One doesn't want to strain one's heart!