i really need to get my stomach in order, please advise best course of action

a body builder friends told me to do some serious cardio and once i shift some weight to get with light weights and sit ups.

can i slim and tone at the same time

and what is best for me to do so i can focus on my stomach.

ps i want to stregthen the muscles,

Good old fashioned crunches and leg-lifts seem to do the trick for me.

Interestingly, I have a flat stomach but I rarely do any ab work. I find that just from doing my regular workout (weights and tai chi) I seem to burn off any extra weight that might want to gather around my middle.

Farting or liposuction

Yes you can slim and tone at the same time.. BUT... In the abscene of any real information about yourself, there is NO answer. At least not an honest one.

First off, you can not select where weight loss happens, it tends to be all over and never where you really want it.

You need to first look at your body type (3 types) do a bit of internet research.

Then you need to look at CV and resistence exercises that work best for your body type.

Then we need to look at natural ways of raising your metabolic rate - this starts with a real understanding of your TRUE energy requirements.. then your real energy expenditure..

Then we can look at effective CV and effective resistance training.

We can not ignore what you eat, why you eat it and when you eat it.

What time of day (in relation to your real body clock) you train comes into play as well.

WOW.. but when the above is observed and we start your CV stuff and relate it to Heart Rate Training, things start to get into place.

Sit ups and stuff can help but there are some serious abs workouts that do not involve pain but just an application of sports science..

When the above was applied to myself, over a seven month period I saw 4ins (100mm) drop of my waist.. and over the years it has stayed off..Are you interested to know more... ?

It will require positive lifestyle changes and maybe the help of a sports professional but results can be reached that make you smile..

There's no "quick and easy" way of getting your stomach in order. Women are genetically inclined to store more fat there. Also, "spot" training certain parts of the body will do no good unless you have a good fat burning (i.e cardiovascular- CV) regime going. Concetrate on burning fat and THEN you can target specific areas.

You've heard of "different stokes for different folks"? Well, that applies to the type of exercise you do, too. I went through a few trial and error phases before I worked out that what DOES work for me is LOTS of (BORING!) CV. Got a Lateral Thigh Trainer, work out in front of the TV every other day (usually watch Base). That was a dress size and 2 months ago. Yes, it's boring, but like they say...YOU GOTTA WANT IT!

Wishing you all the best, and remember...You ARE a Quenn..because you CHOOSE to be one!