Ask any woman what body part she wishes she could improve, and almost every single one of them will tell you, “My stomach.”

Stomach, abs, tummy, midsection, core. No matter what you call it, you probably want to improve it.  From desiring a slimmer profile and feeling better in your clothes to lessening the risk of back injury, strong and toned muscular in this part of the body is something women all seem to be perpetually seeking.

While it may not be easy, it is possible to achieve your goals of taut abdominals, even if you’ve had a baby (in fact, having had a baby can work to your advantage!).

They key to a toned midsection is to target the three main sections:  upper abdominals, lower abdominals, and obliques (the ones on the side, where your hands rest when you put them on your waist):  Each group needs to be worked equally and thoroughly.  This isn’t as difficult as it sounds!

In fact, here are three exercises that can help you learn what it feels like to work each group; concentrate as you do them, and you’ll be able to feel each muscle group.  Do them three times a week, and you’ll soon see improvements in your waistline.

Fabulous Upper Ab Exercise

• Leg Lifts: Lay on your back, arms alongside your body with palms downward for balance.  Lift your legs until your hips are at a right angle, flexing your feet so that your heals are pointing skyward. yourLie on your back, arms to your sides, palms down. Raise your legs so the soles of your feet are facing the ceiling; your legs should be perpendicular to your torso.  Using your abs, lift your hips up off the floor.  Hold for three seconds, lower back to starting position.  Repeat ten times. (Note:  example to the right is an advanced version of the exercise.  It’s okay if your hips only come off the floor slightly)

Guaranteed Lower Ab Exercise

• Leg “V” Drops: From the same starting position, lift legs until they are again perpendicular to your body.  Separate feet and lower legs to each side of the body as far as is comfortable, forming a “V” shape.  Hold at this point for three seconds, bring feet back together.  Repeat ten times.

Time-Tested Oblique Exercise

• Side Plank Lift: Lying on your left side, lift up onto your elbow; put one foot in front of the other.  Push up so that you are now supporting your body with  your hand, arm extended.  Raise your hip as high using the muscles in the side of your torso (obliques).  Hold for three seconds, lower to floor.  Repeat three times; then do same exercise for other side.

Once you’re used to feeling each section, it will be easier to concentrate on that muscle group and thus maximize the efficiency of every exercise you do.  Perhaps you have tried yoga for strengthening your core; understanding the three abdominal muscle sections will bump up your yoga workout. Stability ball exercises are also fabulous for working each of the three core muscle sections.

Of course, if those abdominal muscles are hiding under a bit of extra weight, aerobic exercise will help boost your metabolism and help melt away the pounds. Shredding for weight loss is a great place to start!  Eating the right foods to help achieve that slimmer torso is also a wonderful tool for achieving that slimmer mid-line.

One more thing for your toolbox:  after a good workout you’ll likely be feeling a bit sore and achy.  Try this for some relief.

Photos courtesy of: Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net