When I posted some pictures of me, many of you asked about my abs. How I got them, what exercises I do, etc. So, I thought I’d do a fun little post with some videos of my favorite ab exercises! (Don’t make fun of me…I probably sound silly, but at least you all get to hear my voice now…I always love getting to SEE and hear bloggers. Makes them more real ya know?)
Me last summer
Before I even begin talking about exercises, you need to know the BASICS of getting abs.
- Diet: Have you ever heard the saying “Abs are made in the kitchen.” Well, whoever said that first was speaking the truth. You can do millions and millions of crunches and never see those abs because you will have fat over the top. To get those abs to show through, eating is paramount. Stick with whole foods…lean proteins/veggies/fruits/grains and that’s the first step. Unfortunately, to get your abs to really pop, you have to cut down a lot on treats, extra carbs, etc.
- Weight Training: I never saw my abs until I started lifting. And I don’t mean start doing lots of weighted ab exercises (although that definitely won’t hurt). Everytime you do a lift, your core is engaged which strenghens your abs.
- Cardio: I’ve always found HIIT to be great for abs–do it 1-3 times a week and just get moving on other days! Walking, ellitpical, WHATEVER YOU LIKE TO DO.
- Genetics: Unfortunately, genetics do play a big role in your abs. You could do everything perfectly, and still may never have abs that pop without a ton of SEROIUSLY hard work. I thank my mom for a lot of my abs—she’s 50 and still has some ab muscles that show.
- Water: Drink it up! It helps you get rid of some of that extra water weight you might be carrying.
Now, onto some of my favorite ab exercises. You may be surprised to know that I actually don’t do abs often. Maybe once or twice a week…and when I do do them, it’s not ever intense. I just do these few exercises I’m about to show you, maybe 2-3 sets of each and move on my with my day. They are pretty basic, but always effective for me.
Basic Plank
V-Ups
More difficult Plank (aka… I have no idea the proper name)
Side Planks
I also really like to use an ab roller and really like hanging leg raises as well..
Ab roller
I add in a few different exercises from time to time, but those are my main staples.
To sum this up…eat well, strength train, do cardio, and WORK HARD. You have to get to a low enough body percentage to have those abs to show.
I also just want to add a little disclaimer–my abs don’t look QUITE that defined anymore (although you can still see them just fine). And it’s because I’m more lax with my eating. That picture above was when I restricted my eating a lot more and honestly, I’m just not willing to do that anymore to get perfect abs. However, with a good healthy diet and hard work in the gym, your stomach will get flatter and you CAN have defined abs.
What’s your favorite ab exercise?
Have you entered my Justin’s Chocolate Nut Butters Giveaway yet? Better get on over there if you haven’t!
{ 58 comments… read them below or add one }
HOT MAMA!
you’re smokin’ miss lisa! i can’t wait to check out your videos when i get home (i don’t have sound on my work computer). and i totally agree about the impact of diet on abs. 
Oooh thanks for the abs videos! I also do just 2 or so days a week of several ab exercises except….I’M OVER MY MOVES! So i’m excited to try these ones out!
You are still absolutely gorgeous, and i’m glad you’re willing to be more “lax” with eating and just enjoy your life!! But of course–you still look super fit, so please don’t take my previous comment any other way
Hey girl – thanks for the videos. Gotta love plank work! I actually really like doing pikes on a stability ball. I know, sucker for torture.
yes! those are good!! And painful, in an amazing way!
Thanks for the tips!! You look so awesome
I can’t wait to check out the videos!
I want to work on my abs after I’m done with the marathon! I can’t really change my diet to be too low carb right now because they are really important for the long-distance stuff. A best friend got engaged last night though and the wedding is going to be destination… great motive for bikini body! I’m totally checking out your moves again in June!!
Thanks so much!!!!! I have only ever done various kinds of crunches and regular plank when I was dancing, and am slowly adding more exercises with my trainer…reverse crunches are my current favorite but they hurt SO much! Haha, I am probably doing them wrong
But yeah, lower abs are what I am working on right now, as well as regular crunches 
I’m addicted to Pilates! Since Pilates is basically all about stabilizing the core for proper alignment, it’s amazing for your abs without KILLING yourself to get gorgeous ones. I find that it’s the deeper, slower, more careful work that helps really tone me. Of course, if you’re in training for body competitions or something, just Pilates isn’t going to cut it.
Awesome post, girl!!!! I am a huge fan of planks – all of the various types you demonstrate here!
Your abs are killer- for sure!
And I always wondered if those ab rollers worked? Nice to know they do!
This was great! I also love seeing/hearing bloggers, it does make them seem more real. I love all those ab exercises and I do them regularly. I know that in order to have extremely defined abs that pop, you need to restrict your eating a lot, and I’m not sure how healthy that is for the mind (or at least my mind anyway) so I just like to do what I can on any given day. And I try to focus on doing exercises in order to get strong and not just for the way it makes me look.
Thanks for sharing!
I completely agree with you! I know restricting is not healthy for me, so I’m happy with where I’m at right now!
Ahhhh, cool to hear your voice!! Love the videos–great job!!
I like the hanging knee raises when the elbows are in the straps and your hanging from those–not like the picture above.
I HAVE entered your Justins Nut Butter contest
Great post!! I used to work my abs like no other and they didn’t show.. until I started lifting! Woohoo!
You are so cute by the way!
gahh your abs are fabulous! i want/love them
i think although i don’t eat too many treats or lots of bread (i prefer oats) the extra sugar from the dried fruit i consume copious amounts of is probably hindering my ab process.
thanks for the videos!!
Awesome post and thank you for the pointers! I actually completely suck at weight training. Period. I tend to do it for a month – like 2 – 3 times a week and then completely slack. I do love all the plank moves the best. They work!
WoooHoooo! You go girl! Rockin abs!
I don’t do specific ab exercises but I have noticed a change since I started doing the HIIT workouts 3 times a week about 3 weeks ago and hot yoga really seems to help define all muscles.
You still look awesome Lisa. And how cool to hear your voice. I want to do a vlog or post some sort of video of myself sometime but I’m not quite sure how to do it. I have a minivideo of M that I am actually going to try to post today.
Also, later this week I was planning on doing an Abs post. Although mine is going to be a little different…more about the reality of getting and maintaining abs (more specifically a 6 pack). I will definitely link back to your post and you as an example. Because you still have a great midsection that is defined but don’t mind it not being a 6 pack because you are a happier person.
oooh, I’m excited for that post!
holy crap u looked so ripped in that pic!
thanks for ur comment btw! haha yes girl, knock on wood!!!
You look amazing, Lisa!! Thanks so much for these ab videos!! I’ve done that more difficult plank before and I *think* Jillian Michael’s calls those walking planks? Whatever they’re called I have to do them on my knees… maybe one day I’ll be able to do ‘em!!
Yes! Walking plank sounds RIGHT! thanks! Just keep at it and you’ll be able to do them.
You are so cute! Loved hearing your voice! Awesome ab work, and coming from an excellent source
YAY!!!! I’m so excited about this post. I can’t watch any of the videos at work (they block videos…apparently they limit productivity?), but I can’t wait to watch tonight.
And I was hoping you wouldn’t bring up the whole sugar/carb issue as a key component of getting hot abs. Damn.
I love me some decline sit ups!
Great form, I can tell by your toe point that you were a gymnast!!!
Awesome post Lisa!!! Love it!
Thanks for the great info! I totally agree, I love actually seeing and hearing bloggers!
I have to admit I don’t really do much core work, or really much strength work at all for that matter. Right now that is definitely a big downside to my whole fitness program. I know it would help me out a lot, I just gotta do it!
Thanks for the videos! I agree with you about seeing bloggers “in person.”
I don’t like planks, but I really like the results I see when I do them regularly!
you are SO cute lisa! love the videos!! I call that one that you said you didn’t know the name to “power planks” its a great one…so hard to keep the core TIGHT and minimize movement in the hips! i love ab exercises that do not have CRUNCH in the title!! thats why I love insanity!
nice abs!!! you have a body most would envy!
you really do have amazing abs!
i love those more difficult planks… i don’t know the name of it either.. i also like doing planks with leg lifts= have you done those!?
Wow! awesome videos! these couldn’t of come at a more perfect time!
planks are still so hard for me! I would have been huffing and puffing too much to talk lol!
I like the videos! Strangely, your voice sounded just like I pictured it (that rarely happens)!
I can never do the sideplank right. Like…I never feel it in my abs but I feel it in my arms/shoulder/upper back. Maybe I’m doing it wrong?
Lisa, I loved your videos!!! Ha, it’s awesome to actually be able to hear what you sound like too!! I’m dropping something in the mail for you tomorrow!!
Great post Lisa & those videos are so cool!
I don’t really like to train my abs as I believe that get trained a lot during my weight training (compound moves etc). Since I started teaching BodyPump, I have trained them a bit more so I can do all those planks & rotatory planks and be able to talk class through them as well.
Oh my gosh, I can’t wait to try those!!
Dang girl! You are lookin’ hot!!! Your abs are absolutely flawless. I’ve always had a flat stomach but I never knew how to make my abs really pop, I am definitely going to give your tips a try. Thanks!! Hope you have a good day! xoxo
I am a really big fan of pilates in general, so i don’t have a specific favorite.
Those are some good thing to know! Have a great day!
Just read your plastic surgery post. I would never have guessed about your BA. They look amazing. I would probably get one after I’m finished having kids and w/ breastfeeding lol!
So fun hearing your voice!!!
When I”m trying to lean out “abs are made in the kitchen” is my mantra.
I’m glad you mentioned that it’s TOUGH to maintain that level of leanness and sometimes it’s just not worth it. I love your honesty.
You are simply adorable and what a cute voice you have!
Love the videos Lisa! You look amazing!! I couldnt stop staring at your arms in the videos, they look great! Very sculpted and strong!
Ummm….whatever you’re doing to get those abs…I’m there!!! You look awesome!!!!!!!
To answer your ques, I’m in a joint program between Georgetown and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Ahhh, I can’t watch the videos here at work – boo. Definitely watching them when I get home! Thanks so much for sharing!
dang girl! Work it!! haha you look great! I love planks for sure, definitely a great workout!!!
SO true! Great advice!
How many people do you hear/see talking about doing crunches to work off their ‘belly’ … You are just like me, I only do abs about 3 times a week, but am working them while doing other body moves as well!
I love your videos!
Side planks are always so difficult for me but I wish they weren’t. I know that my form is somehow off but even when I try adjusting myself it still feels strained.
I think my favorite ab exercise would have to be bicycle crunches, oblique twists, or the one hundred (not sure if that’s what it’s called). One day I’m hoping to have some abs that pop instead of just a flat stomach with no definition.
Thanks for the abbage advice!
amen to ALL that you said. and of course i LOVED the vids! you are such a babe! i wish we could hang out!!!
Holy cannoli! Your abs are just amazing…or were but I’m sure they still kick butt!
Planks are by far my fave, ever since I started doing them I can see more definition. Now just to work on the fat over them! Lol
Awesome vids girl! Your abs are killer, even if they’re not QUITE like that anymore, though I’m sure they’re still amaaaazing. Abs definitely are made in the kitchen… one of my main problems haha, especially lately! Ughh. I do most of those moves you showed! I’m a big planks fan, I do them nearly every day. I should start incorporating some of those v ups though, they’re good stuff! Now if only I could kick my cereal and general carbs and sweets addiction to really make my abs killeeerrrr.
Super cute videos Lisa!!!! Thanks for my blog comment, PS
First, your abs look FANTASTIC in that pic. You are right about the way food affects the way we look. Nutrition is 80% of how our bodies look, right? I have no problem giving up treats for abs lol. However, YOU LOOK FIT AND GORGEOUS NOW AS WELL
I loved your advice, but I loved what you said about not willing to let the “perfect” abs take over your eating. You’re so real, and perfect abs or not, I think you’re great!
Awww Lisaaaa!! I feel like we’re just meeting
LOVED the videos!
Agree with your five basics 110%. Unfortunately, #4 is already working against me. But it works for me in some other areas, so I guess it evens out
The harder plank – I call those “plank ups” but I’m not sure if they even have a common name. Probably because people just swear and cuss when referring to it
Oh, and yeah, eating real food is more important than being ripped IMO!
i totally agree girl. abs are definitely made in the kitchen. back when i had ripped abs, I ate nothing. seriously..its about cutting fat and i had no fat back then. now that i eat like a normal person…well so goes the abs!
fav ab move is weighted tea kettle. love love love it.
this really gets the burn ive been looking for i really like the exercises
You are too cute! Planks are my go-to move for abs. Sometimes I’ll be dressed and ready to go somewhere, and I’ll drop and hold a plank for a minute, just to get an extra ab workout in.
And your V-Ups are total gymnast V-ups.
Good form and pointed toes…even pretty gymnast hands.
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