Although exercise and diet are clinically proven to maintain a trim figure, hormonal and genetic predispositions make firming and refining the skin around the waistline difficult, especially for women. Here, international fitness expert and celebrated Equinox instructor Violet Zaki shares her tips to achieving a flatter, sexier midsection.
Question: What is the number one problem area women complain about during your fitness classes?
Violet Zaki: “The common complaint is “how can I get rid of my pooch/spare tire/love handles/muffin top?” This culprit is the layer of fat located between the navel and the hips and is a receptor for fat cells more so than any other part of your body.”
Question: Why do women’s bodies store fat in this area?
Violet Zaki: “There are numerous causes of stubborn belly fat including genetic predisposition, a sedentary lifestyle, stress, poor diet and lack of sleep. Additionally, as women age, muscle mass gradually decreases and the proportion of fat to bodyweight increases because a decrease in estrogen levels influences fat distribution in the body.”
Question: Are crunches the best way to tone my midsection?
Violet Zaki: “If you think getting washboard abs is as simple as doing crunches, then we need to talk. To get the beach body you want, challenge your midsection in the way your body is designed to move naturally in daily life. This will help you burn calories as well as strengthen and tone your problem areas. Work all your core muscle groups (the abs, hips, lower back and pelvic region), front and back, not just the tranverse abdominis (also known as the “six pack”), because if you have a layer of fat covering your abdominals, you will not see the lean muscle underneath it.”
Question: What are a few simple exercises I can do at my desk or at home to firm my abs?
Violet Zaki: “Sitting on a stability ball at your desk automatically promotes proper spinal alignment and posture and causes you to always move around, therefore you are not sitting in the same position for prolonged periods of time. You are also using your core muscles to maintain your balance on the ball, so you have fitness right at your fingertips!”
Question: Do you feel that the Vichy Destock Stomach is filling a void in the health/fitness arena?
Violet Zaki: “As a fitness professional, promoting a healthy lifestyle and empowering women to feel their best is my job and Vichy Destock Stomach is an added bonus to any women’s fitness routine. Vichy Destock Stomach gives women results they can see – with a visible difference after seven days of use and improved skin texture after four weeks.”
