HEALTHY LIVING WITH JANICE -- MUFFIN TOPS

Good grief! Bathing suit season is upon us, and my muffin top is showing. Health editor Janice Kerr offers some tips for flattening my tummy and yours. -- AP

Well, Anastasia, we all know Cloris has never baked a muffin (or anything else for that matter,) you could resist. So it’s no wonder you’ve grown your own muffin top. You need to start eating better. Here’s how:

The first step is to start with foods rich in protein. They build muscle. And don’t forget fiber. Eating lots of fruits, veggies, oats, and beans will help shrink that muffin top. Studies have proven it. And walk away from the sugar!

Here’s a helpful tip -- mix a teaspoon or two of flaxseed into your morning yogurt to keep your pipes from clogging up, but don’t forget to drink extra water.

Glute Bridge

And for heaven’s sake, you need to exercise more. Get off your butt and move. Every morning as soon as you get up, begin your day with the Glute Bridge and the Bird Dog, three sets of eight reps each.

No, not that bird dog. This Bird Dog:

Bird Dog

Gee, Janice, I never took you for such a drill sergeant. But she’s right, readers. I need to change my eating habits and exercise more. That muffin top is only going to get bigger and bigger if I don’t. Anyone willing to join me? Maybe by Labor Day we’ll all have bodies we won’t mind showing off in bathing suits. Post a comment to enter the drawing for a book from our guest author on Friday. -- AP