Run Your Way to Flat Abs

January 4, 9:25 PMAtlanta Running ExaminerMarnie Kunz

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Photo by Marques Jackson

If you want to lose weight and tone up in the New Year, getting flat abs may be one of the hardest challenges. But with a solid running program, you can not only lose fat but strengthen your core, making your abs rock hard.

In order to get flat abs, it's important to dispel the most common myth about toning your stomach: The myth that all you have to do to get flat abs is crunches and other stomach exercises. This is not true because ab-specific exercises will only strengthen your stomach but will not get rid of the layers of fat covering the abdominal muscles.

The key to getting flat abs is to do cardio workouts. Cardio exercises are the only way to burn fat. Running is one of the best cardio activities because it burns a high rate of calories (higher than walking or biking, for instance). The average runner burns an average of 100 calories per mile.

So to get those rock solid abs you want, stick to your running program and increase your running duration and intensity. Incorporate sprints into your routine at least two times a week to ad extra calorie burning boosts and also increase the distance of your long runs. Remember, you generally burn carbs for the first hour of running and burn fat for each additional minute afer that. Races are also a great way to burn fat as they will cause you to run harder and faster, burning more calories.

So for flat abs, step up your running routine and watch the belly fat melt away.