Thousands of women and men across the nation seek to tone their tummies every year when swimsuit season comes around. If you’ve failed at this in the past, then you know just how frustrating it really can be. That said, by following a few tips, toning your tummy is possible. Losing weight is never easy, but you don’t have to simply live with the extra bulk—it is possible to shed the pounds.

The crunch is the fastest and best way to work your abdominal muscles. In order to maximize your workout, work with a personal trainer to develop the perfect form. Many people do not do crunches correctly, and this will therefore prove to be a workout program with no results. Crunches should be fluid and controlled at all times, and if you are unsure if you are doing them correctly ask a professional for help so you don’t waste you time or, ever worse, hurt yourself.

Another great tip for toning your abs is to work on the rest of your body using of-balanced workouts. When you do a move that requires controlled stability, you torso acts as that control, which strengthens your core abdominal muscles. It’s like getting two workouts in one this way!

Also remember to work out your back muscles, which will help to improve your posture. Slumping causes your abdominal muscles to weaken and looks sloppy overall. When you have stronger back muscles, you will be more likely to stand up straight, looking immediately thinner as a result. Your doctor should be able to give you tips about improving your posture.

Of course, if you want to be able to see the muscles that you are building, it is important to eat a healthy diet as well. Switching to low-fat and low-carbohydrates diet choices will help you instantly see results, and this includes skipping the alcohol, which really does cause a beer belly. Slow down when you eat to help your tummy troubles as well and leave the carbonation and artificial sweeteners out of your diet. Eating quickly will cause your to swallow air, and certain products cause intestinal gas, which will immediately make you look bloated.

In general, don’t worry about what a scale says—simply look in the mirror to see results. Set weight loss goals for yourself and practice a healthy lifestyles and it shouldn’t be difficult for you to tone your tummy in time for the warmer weather.