Women engaged in the battle of the belly fat bulge will understand just how difficult this abdominal bulk is to budge. Of course, having some fat around the hips is natural for a woman, as emphasized by super size-zero celebrities with hip bones that jut out and concave rather than toned and flat stomachs.

Never has keeping in shape been as dynamic and exciting as it is right now. There are so many different ways to work out and an incredible range of training styles. Knowledge about how what we do affects our bodies, as well as our minds, is increasing, inspiring a wave of really positive developments in the keep fit industry.

It is part of festive tradition to see New Year as a time to make plans for change. New Year resolutions are usually concerned with lifestyle changes; giving up bad habits, being healthier, creating a life that is happier, and being nicer to others. Health and fitness usually dominate plans and if you feel 2015 is the year to initiate positive change in your life, then make sure you don't make any classic New Year’s fitness resolution mistakes!

Even if you use the first couple of weeks of January 2015 devising plans to change for the year ahead, it doesn't matter.

There is nothing in the fitness rulebook that says that getting in shape cannot be both enjoyable and fun. Yes, you might face a physical, emotional and mental challenge in the process and totally transform your whole being, but the pleasure is in seeing great results.

It's one thing to be committing to an exercise regime but are you going through the motions or are you working out hard enough? Putting on your fitness gear and being active is commendable but unless you are working up a sweat you could be spending time on ineffective training.

Love may make the world go round but negative actions and thoughts can make your world spin on its axis, to the point where you lose your footing and any sense of time or space. This may sound extreme, but the fact is that situations, experiences, people and our own minds have a huge influence on our lives.

As we get older and life seems to get more complex, not to mention busy, responsibilities at home and in our working lives can overwhelm, leaving us with what feels like precious little time to ourselves. It's easy to understand how exercise can take a back seat to other seemingly more pressing priorities.

Planks are in the top 10 of the best abdominal exercises to do, according to to the American Council on Exercise. There's no doubt about it that planks have become a go-to strength exercise which has great benefits for the whole body. If you have not yet harnessed the power of the plank then it is time to find out what's so great about them!
What is a plank?
A plank is what is known as an isometric exercise, which means that during contraction you do not change the angle of the joint or the muscle length.

If you have set your exercise goals and created a fitness strategy, then you have the main ingredients to make really positive steps towards transforming your life; affecting your lifestyle, your physical wellbeing and possibly even your relationships.

Negativity can get you down and when you are making a valiant attempt to make healthy changes to your life, it can also slow you down and create an uphill struggle. Of course, you can simply try and battle your way through the negative obstacles in your way but you might save energy and get further if you confidently and proactively find ways to deflect negativity successfully!

You don't have to bounce around with a big grin on your face every time you work out - although with us we wouldn't blame you! - but you do need to keep motivation levels up and this means feeling positive about what you can achieve and how you are going about it.