As the weather grows colder and everyone becomes more and more used to their concealing jeans, long-sleeved T-shirts and bulky jackets, the pressure to stay fit is no longer as immediate as it was during the summer, when beach bodies were a must. The gray, rainy days of fall and winter do not inspire long runs, intense bicycle rides or walks outdoors in the increasingly chilly evenings. Getting to the gym becomes a struggle: people ask why they should get up from their comfortable computer chairs, put on sweatpants, and make the hike across town. In the face of these psychological reasons not to work out, easy ab regimens are the perfect alternative. The core can easily be strengthened through improvements in posture as well as in individual exercises. Increased abdominal strength firms and tightens the stomach, creates a better sense of balance and leads to a better lifestyle. Some of the most basic ab workouts that can be done without any extra equipment include:

• Push-ups. Yes, push-ups. Even though the military, mustached gym teachers and screaming track coaches have turned push-ups into the most horrifying of exercises, their benefits are innumerable. Not only will they tighten up your core and increase your arm strength, they will improve your cardio capability and begin to burn off the first layers of belly fat. Start with doing 10 a day, then ratchet it up to 20, 30, 40 and before you know it you will be doing 50 push-ups a day. Falling to your knees will immediately disengage your abs and transfer the balancing responsibility to your shoulders, so be sure to stay on your toes. For the perfect push-up,start off lying on your stomach on a mat. Keep your hands directly under your shoulders. Use your toes and your hands to push yourself up. Lower yourself down until your chest touches the ground, then bring your body back up so that the angle your elbow makes is about 90 degrees. Be sure to keep your back straight.
• Crunches. This exercise, although it is a basic, can be the most beneficial of ab exercises. Start out doing a manageable number but be sure to work up to more because this exercise requires that you do a lot. Try to reach 100. Since this exercise is so basic, it has many variations that will also help cutting down on the fat. For the basic crunch, lie on your back on a mat. Bring your heels close to the rest of your body. Put your hands behind your head and raise the top half of your body off the ground until your shoulders are no longer touching the mat. Be sure to engage your ab muscles instead of using your neck. For variation, turn your knees to the side and raise your top half. This will give you a slender middle. Try crunches with your feet extended and lifted off the ground a few inches. Another option is to try sitting up all the way and touching your elbows to your knees.
• V-ups. In order to work on the lower abdominal muscles, try doing this whole-body exercise. Start out by lying on your back with your arms extended over your head and your legs flat on the mat. At the same time, lift both your arms and your legs until your shoulders are off the ground and your hands can touch your shoelaces. Balance on the lower part of your back, hold the position, and then release. Do not let your arms or your legs touch the ground at this point. Also, be sure to keep your arms straight and in the same plane as your neck. Keep your legs together. Repeat the movement at least 10 times.

These exercises do not require a lot of space, any special shoes or a trip to the gym. All you need to work your way toward a flat stomach in the winter months is a mat, these recommendations and a drive to better your lifestyle through increased fitness. For an example beginning workout, try 10 push-ups, 10 v-ups, 10 regular crunches and then 10 crunches with your feet extended. Also, improve your posture by sitting up straight and keeping your shoulders back. Engage your back and your abs to keep your torso straight. After a few days, the belly fat will be gone!