Having a surfboard flat stomach is only a dream for the majority of us, including myself. We spend hours in the gym trying to achieve the elusive ‘six pack’. No-one enjoys having to bear through the pain of ab crunches, trying to use every machine in the gym that is designed to flatten the tummy, and at the end your tummy is no more flat than an ice-cream cone...

There are few good reasons why we have to continue with the daily agony of stomach crunches, not only to look hot in the new bikini, but also to maintain your body weight as well as preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes.

Excess intra-abdominal (visceral) fat is closely related to insulin resistance. Did you know that 75% of people with type 2 diabetes have excess intra-abdominal fat. This also means that there is excessive fat surrounding the liver, skeletal muscles and the heart. This ultimately leads to increased risk of cardiovascular disease and higher inflammatory states. It is therefore important that besides maintaining euglycaemia (normal blood sugar levels) it is vitally important to lose the tummy fat.

Losing abdominal fat not only applies to us ladies who still have to reach our ideal BMI but also to the ladies who are skinny. Intra-abdominal fat is a risk factor for insulin resistance regardless of body shape or type. This afternoon when you are in the gym just smile and bear the agony of abdominal crunches as it is definitely worth all the pain.