You’re no longer dreaming of a white Christmas and instead envision six-pack abs.  You’ve moved on from the holiday madness and are perhaps planning your tropical vacation where you will be in the best shape of your life!  You’re reading up on diets and nutrition, meal-planning tips, beginner workouts and more.  You’ve added the Rocky soundtrack to your gym playlist.  You’re ready to do it right this year.  And you can!

Abdominal exercises don’t require additional equipment beyond your own body weight.  Training your entire core will serve you well for your life in anything you do, so don’t neglect your back by only doing crunches and sit-ups.  You’ll get more out of your workout by doing some simple exercises that burn out your abs but also hit your entire core.

Add to your routine or if you are short on time and just want to hit your midsection hard, here is a great place to start.  And, if a minute of each of these seems just out of the question at this point for you, then start wherever you are and work your way up.  You will get better with consistency as long as you push yourself.

So, here is your 5 minute ab routine that will leave your abs screaming (and have you coming back for more!)…

1) 1 minute sliding plankjacks

2) 1 minute supine bicycle

3) 1 minute Russian twist

4) 1 minute tummy tucks

5) 1 minute plank

A quick word of advice…don’t compromise your form just to get to a certain time.  Focus on your form and doing the exercise correctly to avoid injury and to ensure you are working the muscles the way these exercises are intended to work them.

Now, it’s time to put this into action!  No need to wait until tomorrow to start.  It’s only five minutes, so dedicate that time to getting started now.  You’ve got this.

Here’s to YOUR health!