Tighten your tummy with these exercises

If you overindulged over the holidays and want to shed those extra pounds, keep reading.

A combination of cardio, strength, and toning exercises will make you sweat and release endorphins no matter where you are.

To tighten your tummy, you must engage your entire core, which includes all of the muscles in your abdomen.
Complete the moves at least three times per week for best results.

• Sitting
Place both hands on your abdomen while sitting on a bench or chair. Inhale and feel your hands move out as you expand your belly. Exhale and contract your abdominal muscles, picturing them pulling in all the way to your spine. Maintain the contraction for 30 counts, counting out loud to ensure you don’t hold your breath. Then squeeze 10 times.

• Lie on your back
Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Exhale to contract your abs toward your spine after inhaling to expand your belly. Tuck your chin and lift your head off the floor as you count to two. For two counts, return to the starting position. Rep 10 times more.

• Standing up
Position yourself at arm’s length from a wall, palms flat against the wall. Exhale and draw your belly button toward your spine after inhaling to expand it. Push up against the wall, keeping your elbows close to your sides. Contract your abs even more deeply toward your spine as you return to the starting position. Rep 20 times more.