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by Tony Drake

Despite popular myth, it is well-known among personal trainers and other fitness professionals that doing 50 crunches a day is not sufficient in itself to gain a firm, toned stomach. If you're willing to do 50 crunches a day, however, you do possess the first and most important ingredient to accomplish this goal - desire. The second ingredient is knowledge.

What does knowledge entail? It simply means that - as with anything - there is a specific formula that will bring you success if you have the will to believe in it and stick with it. When I say there is a formula for everything, I mean it. There is a formula for driving a car, and if it's not followed, you will crash. There is a formula for brushing your teeth, and if you do it incorrectly, you get cavities. If you're following the wrong formula for losing belly fat, you will not see the results you want.

Realize that when I say "formula", I'm not talking about something "magical" or even "secret". It's only "secret" in the sense that an astonishing number of people do not follow it, and continue to wonder why they still have a beer belly, or fat thighs. They may even know the formula, but have decided to modify it to accommodate their lackluster desire.

Here is an example of a formula that has done wonders for many people:

Desire +Targeted Exercises +Aerobics +Proper Nutrition = Success

Just take 30 seconds or so and picture yourself following this formula. When you've done so, try to picture yourself following it for a few months, and FAILING. Imagine that your adherence to this formula brought more fat to your stomach. It's difficult to do, isn't it? It should be, because this formula practically guarantees success. In fact, not only does it guarantee that you will lose stomach fat, it guarantees that you will feel fantastic about yourself in the process.

I myself have followed this formula, and was amazed at how different I felt. I have always been a frozen pizza and donut type of guy, but at one point decided to do a 4-day stretch of nothing but fruit, vegetables, and water. After 2 days of this I was leaping out of bed in the morning, rife with energy, and that ingredient became much easier for me because I experienced the results.

Let's look a little closer at these ingredients.

* Desire.

Again, this is crucial. You need to have a truly urgent need to change. You need to imagine where you will be in the near and later future if you don't will yourself to change.

* Targeted Exercises.

There are many, and a comprehensive list is beyond the scope of this article. The great news is that you can gather a series of abdominal exercises that will work the upper abs, lower abs, and obliques, and do many of them in your home with no special equipment.

* Aerobics.

Aerobic exercise can also be done in a gym or in your home, with the help of an aerobics tape or even a well-detailed book.

* Proper Nutrition.

A great many people fail at this one. We all know people who have disciplined themselves to go to the gym, or took up jogging and an exercise routine, but can't separate themselves from supersize hamburgers and jumbo amounts of cola. Proper nutrition does not necessarily mean that you have to give up fast food, however, as there are still tasty low-fat alternatives such as pancakes, soft tacos and bean burritos.

Just remember - if you have the desire and a good system to follow, then you don't need a gym membership, trainers, supplements, or anything that is more of a facilitator rather than an essential ingredient. If you can't afford a $50 a month gym membership, don't allow yourself to become one of the many hordes that will let such trivial matters stand in their way to reaching a level of great fitness.

About the Author

Tony Drake is a lifelong fitness enthusiast and health nut. If you wish to try an exercise program that is extremely popular and has been getting some great results, then check out www.burnthefat.com