You know the kind of stomach you’d like to have, but do you know the type of tummy you already have? Many women are unaware that all belly fat is not created equal. Here’s a revolutionary programme that specifically targets that trouble spot by first identifying your type of tummy.

There’s nothing like a sagging stomach to make a woman feel self-conscious about her figure. But try as they might, many women can’t seem to fight the extra flab around the waistline. That’s partially because they don’t know where to start... and not all belly fat is the same. So it follows that we may need different techniques to effectively tighten and tone our abs.

The five tummy types

The core secret of firming and flattening is knowing which workout best suits your needs. To simplify the process, lets break down the different belly variations:

1. The Apple Type
You frequently gain weight in your breasts, arms and thighs. You have slender legs and a small butt. A true apple has gained weight in their belly for as long as they can remember. Apples are genetically predisposed to a poochy stomach. 

2. The Metabolically-Challenged Type
You suffer from high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, increased levels of fasting blood sugar, and tummy fat. You’re likely the victim of metabolic syndrome and your muscle cells may have a problem responding normally to insulin (also known as insulin resistance). An estimated 47 percent of postmenopausal women suffer from this condition.

3. The Peri/Post Menopause Type
You’ve gained weight while approaching menopause or after going through menopause. Most of this weight has gone into your stomach. No matter what regimen you try, you haven’t been able to beat your belly bulge. As your levels of oestrogen fall, you begin to display a more male-pattern body type with a larger middle and slender thighs and hips. 

4. The Stressed Slender Type
You don’t have a weight problem. In fact, you’re happy with every part of your body other than your flabby, round stomach. Despite a healthy diet and proper eating habits, you still can’t get a flat tummy. The cause is likely stress. People who are exposed to a great deal of the stress hormone cortisol are more prone to abdominal fat. 

5. The After Baby Type
Bouncing back after a baby is never easy. You have to lose any fat you gained. You also need to firm up the pelvic floor and the abdomen. To banish the belly fat, you must tackle both goals. Many women who don’t lose the extra weight in the first six months end up carrying it 10-20 years later.

See trouble spots disappear

You’re only as fit as your abs. In other words, the shape your stomach is in is a good indicator of your overall health. Having extra layers of flesh in the abdomen can spell big trouble.

The number one reason you don’t want fat around the belly is because of an increased health risk of heart disease. Fat that is next to the heart increases the risk for both heart disease and heart attack. 

I designed different exercises you should do during the different times of life that are pinpointed to the problem. The bottom line is for everyone to understand that there’s basically a three-pronged attack to really target the tummy.

My belly-busting regimen combines an effective cardio workout with a healthy diet, plus targeted exercises for each specific tummy type. While most people believe they can tighten their stomach by simply attacking the trouble area with hundreds of crunches, it’s the power of three – cardio, diet and toning – that’s going to result in fab abs.

 For more on this Tummy toning Workout Routine come to the Women’s Healthy Living Workshop by logging onto www.mypersonaltrainer.co.za