Why Crunches Don't Work

alliecore

I thought I'd share this article for for those of you who like to work your abs. I've seen quite a few posts where people are saying that they religiously do crunches, but aren't seeing results and can't figure out why. This writeup is pretty basic but contains some good info.

http://www.active.com/fitness/Articles/Why-Crunches-Don_t-Work.htm?cmp=17-7-442

AggieCass09

with out reading the article i can tell you its all about the FAT that covers your abs...1,984,238 crunches a day wont get rid of the fat...its all about diet!

alliecore

with out reading the article i can tell you its all about the FAT that covers your abs...1,984,238 crunches a day wont get rid of the fat...its all about diet!

True, but that's actually not what the article is pointing out. Obviously a low bf% is necessary to reveal abs, and I totally agree that diet is 99% of the battle, but exercise is necessary for tone.

AggieCass09

exercise is DEFINITELY necessary...i do P90X and LOVE Ab Ripper X :-)

alliecore

I gotta get P90X!!!!!! I've heard too many good things about it!

agdeierl

When you say getting a flat tummy is all about diet, are you saying stay under your calorie limit, and you will see better results than if you don't and just do crunches? Or are you saying that to get a flat tummy you have to cut out all processed foods, etc., etc., etc.? Because I've seen a lot of the latter statements around here...and I'm just not buying it.
Oh, and I should probably mention that when I say "flat tummy", I'm not referring to a six-pack. Your tummy look AMAZING, but I don't really want a six-pack. I really just want a flat tummy that is firm.

gp79

The idea is if you reduce your body fat, you will see additional definition across your entire body. In a basic sense a calorie is a calorie and your body only requires so many in a day. Having a deficit will slowly reduce your weight and over time will reduce your body fat.

So no matter how you do it (cutting out processed foods etc) losing weight while on a good diet and exercise routine will decrease your body fat and make you more defined, including your abs.

The talk about cutting processed foods is because they contain junk that is higher in calories, chemicals, and trash that your body would do much better without.

alliecore

When you say getting a flat tummy is all about diet, are you saying stay under your calorie limit, and you will see better results than if you don't and just do crunches? Or are you saying that to get a flat tummy you have to cut out all processed foods, etc., etc., etc.? Because I've seen a lot of the latter statements around here...and I'm just not buying it.
Oh, and I should probably mention that when I say "flat tummy", I'm not referring to a six-pack. Your tummy look AMAZING, but I don't really want a six-pack. I really just want a flat tummy that is firm.

Not sure if you were asking me or AggieCass, but I'll throw in my 2 cents. Yeah, pretty basically, if you were only going to pick 1 thing, diet or crunches---diet will bring you a flat tummy quicker. (Especially considering that you want a flat tummy, but no 6 pack.) Cutting out all processed foods is healthy on a lot of levels, but no, it's not "necessary" as long as your calorie intake is what it should be. However "clean" foods will promote a flat belly simply because clean eating results in less bloating, etc. But if you want a firm tummy, exercise has to be a part of the picture too....but there are a LOT of options out there besides crunches.

agdeierl

When you say getting a flat tummy is all about diet, are you saying stay under your calorie limit, and you will see better results than if you don't and just do crunches? Or are you saying that to get a flat tummy you have to cut out all processed foods, etc., etc., etc.? Because I've seen a lot of the latter statements around here...and I'm just not buying it.
Oh, and I should probably mention that when I say "flat tummy", I'm not referring to a six-pack. Your tummy look AMAZING, but I don't really want a six-pack. I really just want a flat tummy that is firm.

Not sure if you were asking me or AggieCass, but I'll throw in my 2 cents. Yeah, pretty basically, if you were only going to pick 1 thing, diet or crunches---diet will bring you a flat tummy quicker. (Especially considering that you want a flat tummy, but no 6 pack.) Cutting out all processed foods is healthy on a lot of levels, but no, it's not "necessary" as long as your calorie intake is what it should be. However "clean" foods will promote a flat belly simply because clean eating results in less bloating, etc. But if you want a firm tummy, exercise has to be a part of the picture too....but there are a LOT of options out there besides crunches.

Yep, I was talking to both of you, because both of you have RIPPED bellies! :noway: I like what you're saying here, because it makes sense to me and also because it seems to be an "overall picture" sort of view, rather than black and white, as many posters on MFP seem to prefer. I myself do still eat processed foods sometimes, but I limit it and also choose the "lesser evil". About once a week, if I'm really "needing" it, I'll take a day or meal off from logging and eat what I want, even if it's not exactly healthy. But I always get right back on track. Honestly, I don't think I would want to be maintain perfectly clean eating my whole life. I know my body would probably feel amazing, but to me, it's not worth it when they are so many other things I like doing that make me feel so good, like regular, high-intensity exercise! So yeah, it makes me nervous when I hear people say "you're never going to have a flat tummy if you have a cheeseburger once in a while"! Because if that's true, I'm doomed! I guess the reason I couldn't believe it was because I know a lot of gym rats who eat well but also eat unhealthy stuff not that rarely and still have tight bodies. Thanks for the advice. Judging from your pictures, I know I can trust you!

alliecore

When you say getting a flat tummy is all about diet, are you saying stay under your calorie limit, and you will see better results than if you don't and just do crunches? Or are you saying that to get a flat tummy you have to cut out all processed foods, etc., etc., etc.? Because I've seen a lot of the latter statements around here...and I'm just not buying it.
Oh, and I should probably mention that when I say "flat tummy", I'm not referring to a six-pack. Your tummy look AMAZING, but I don't really want a six-pack. I really just want a flat tummy that is firm.

Not sure if you were asking me or AggieCass, but I'll throw in my 2 cents. Yeah, pretty basically, if you were only going to pick 1 thing, diet or crunches---diet will bring you a flat tummy quicker. (Especially considering that you want a flat tummy, but no 6 pack.) Cutting out all processed foods is healthy on a lot of levels, but no, it's not "necessary" as long as your calorie intake is what it should be. However "clean" foods will promote a flat belly simply because clean eating results in less bloating, etc. But if you want a firm tummy, exercise has to be a part of the picture too....but there are a LOT of options out there besides crunches.

Yep, I was talking to both of you, because both of you have RIPPED bellies! :noway: I like what you're saying here, because it makes sense to me and also because it seems to be an "overall picture" sort of view, rather than black and white, as many posters on MFP seem to prefer. I myself do still eat processed foods sometimes, but I limit it and also choose the "lesser evil". About once a week, if I'm really "needing" it, I'll take a day or meal off from logging and eat what I want, even if it's not exactly healthy. But I always get right back on track. Honestly, I don't think I would want to be maintain perfectly clean eating my whole life. I know my body would probably feel amazing, but to me, it's not worth it when they are so many other things I like doing that make me feel so good, like regular, high-intensity exercise! So yeah, it makes me nervous when I hear people say "you're never going to have a flat tummy if you have a cheeseburger once in a while"! Because if that's true, I'm doomed! I guess the reason I couldn't believe it was because I know a lot of gym rats who eat well but also eat unhealthy stuff not that rarely and still have tight bodies. Thanks for the advice. Judging from your pictures, I know I can trust you!

Thanks! I do the exact same thing you do. I eat clean 90% of the time, but hell if I want a cheeseburger, I eat it. Yes, I do notice a difference after I've eaten junk....I usually feel bloated and my belly isn't AS flat, but does it wreck my results? No. I don't "diet", and I do enjoy food, but like you, I also REALLY enjoy killer workouts. Consistency, moderation.......it all plays in.

virgz_fox

i love this thread...reading your reply guys makes me learn more about exercising and having a healthy lifestyle. Thanks allie for posting this.You guys are an inspiration!

Christie81

:bigsmile: Thanks for this post Allie. I was just looking for some alternatives to doing crunches today on the web.....primarly because I hate doing them

MMarie25

Thanks, I know alot of it is in your diet, but you need to have a ab routine, and i do the tony horton 10 min trainer, he has a pretty good ab section i try to do 3x a week. I just seem to have this little pooch in the lower part.