Get to the CORE

We'd all like a slimmer, tighter midsection - and most of us assume that involves endless crunches in pursuit of a six-pack. But this week, try working your abdominals from a different angle - specifically, from behind. Good posture and strong abdominals go hand-in-hand. So I often say that a tighter tummy begins with the back. Whether you're walking down the street, climbing a flight of stairs, or sitting in a chair reading this article at this very moment, you can strengthen your abs by working on your posture. As you read this, try it: Pull your shoulder blades down and back, imagining that you're trying to pinch a pencil right in between your shoulder blades. At the same time, visualize a balloon coming from the top of your head, pulling your spine up straight and tall. Hold that position for a moment, and you'll notice that when you relax, you might tend to slump those shoulders back down - and in the process, your stomach is, quite literally, softening. Another often-overlooked aspect of great abs is digestion.