Ab Flyer - Get the Svelte Beach Bod You've Always Wanted

If you want to look good on the beach this summer, you've got some expensive choices:

a) Join a gym

b) Hire a personal trainer

c) Be smart - and find products you can purchase once and use at home as part of a regular workout regimen.

One of the most fun and effective home fitness products available is the Ab Flyer, priced at less than $100.

Yes,it is one of those "as seen on TV" products.Actually,the television commercial for the Ab Flyer can give you a good visual on this swinging device that works your core muscles and gives you those perfect,or almost perfect,abdominal muscles that you desire.Best of all, the Ab Flyer takes the strain off your lower back as you work those muscles. That means you won't knock out your back as your achieve healthy abdominal muscles.

This lightweight machine has a padded shelf that you kneel on while holding the handle bar with your arms at a 90 degree angle.Using your core muscles,you swing your knees and exercise your abs.As you are lifting your abdomen,you put very little stress on your neck,back and shoulders.What you are using primarily are your abdominal muscles, which gets them - and you - quickly in shape.

As you swing your knees,you contract your stomach muscles.Using the Ab Flyer's various levels of resistance,you can start easy and build up gradually.

This versatile machine can be used by multiple members of the family,since the handle height can be adjusted.When you're done for the day, fold it up and tuck it away until your next workout.Because it's fairly compact - just 34 inches wide by 48 inches high - you can also leave it out and tucked in a corner of the room.

While the Ab Flyer works on your muscles,you can boost your exercise plan by feeding your body a healthy, nutritious diet.There are lots of for-profit eating plans available. How can you tell which is best?One suggestion is to follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which is jointly produced and published every five years (most recently in June 2010) by the Secretaries of U.S.Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Every five years, this team reviews the previous five years of research and science to see if updates to its dietary guidelines are warranted.This year,as in previous reports, the Dietary Guidelines finds that "a disconnect exists between dietary recommendations and what Americans actually consume."

That's no surprise,but the study found Americans consume far too few vegetables,fruits, high-fiber whole grains, low-fat milk products and seafood.So what are Americans eating?They consume too many added sugars, solid fats, refined grains and too much salt.In fact, the study found that 35 percent of calories consumed by Americans come from solid fats and added sugar.

Overall, the study came up with four findings that can help all people improve their nutritional intake and meet physical activity guidelines:

a)Lose weight by cutting your caloric intake and increasing your physical activity.

b) Change your eating habits to a diet based on plants - such as vegetables, dried beans, fruits, nuts, seeds and whole grains.The study also recommends eating more seafood, low-fat and milk products and just moderate amounts of eggs, poultry and lean meats.

c)"Significantly reduce," the study said, the amount of added sugars and solid fats you consume.All they do is add empty calories with little to no nutritional value.You should also reduce your sodium intake and try to eat fewer refined grains - especially if those refined grains are high in sodium and combined with added sugar and solid fat.

Names of added sugars you will find on food labels include brown sugar, corn sweetener, corn syrup, dextrose, fructose, fruit juice concentrates, high-fructose corn syrup, honey and glucose.

Solid fats you will find listed include butter, margarine and shortening.You will find solid fats in cheese, cream, whole milk, ice cream, marbled meats, regular ground beef, bacon, sausages and baked goods.

d) Meet the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.This dictates that adults, ages 18 to 64 should take part in 2 hours of moderately intensive exercise a week or 75 minutes a week of a vigorous aerobic activity - or a combination of both.The aerobic activity should be done in at least 10-minute intervals.The study found other health benefits by boosting your exercise to five hours a week of moderate aerobic exercise or 2 hours of vigorous exercise.It also recommended muscle strengthening exercises, using all major muscles, at least two days a week.

By regularly exercising with the Ab Flyer and consuming a healthy diet full of nutrients and lean proteins,you'll be on the fast track to looking and feeling your very best.