Although, let me be very clear that there is no such thing as a "spot reduction" i.e. you would lose fats only from the stomach, yet, with the right abdominal exercises, you can definitely strengthen and tone up your stomach muscles. Of course, these exercises should be combined with cardiovascular exercises, such as, aerobics, cycling, swimming and jogging, so that calories are burned and fats from the entire body are lost. For all those people who are planning to start an exercise routine at home, to get a flat belly, given below are some of the most effective stomach toning exercises for men and women. Standard Crunches This is the most popular exercise for toning abdominal muscles. To do crunches, lie down on your back. Bend your knees, raise them and keep the feet flat on the ground, slightly away from the hips. Bring your hands at the back of your head, keep them crossed, with your elbows out. Next, applying pressure on your abdomen, raise your upper body towards the knees. Go as high as you can and then come back on the floor. Repeat this exercise twelve times. Aim for three sets of crunches, with twelve repetitions each. Reverse Crunches To do reverse crunches, lie down on the floor on your back. Raise your knees and keep the thighs perpendicular to the floor. Cross your feet and lift them towards the ceiling, while raising your hips off the ground. While lifting your body, make sure that your upper body and thighs do not move. Repeat the same exercise twelve times. Aim for three sets of this exercise. Leg Raises Leg raises is an effective exercise for strengthening the lower abdominal muscles. To perform this exercise, lie down on your back on the floor. Place your hands under the hips for supporting the body. Next, slowly and slowly, without bending your legs, raise them off the floor, so as to form a ninety degree angle with the upper body. After this, bring the legs back to the floor. However, take care that your legs do not touch the floor. When they are about two inches off it, again raise them, the same way. Likewise, repeat this exercise twelve times. Aim for three sets of this exercise. Scissor Kicks To do this exercise, lie down on the floor on your back. Place your hands on the side and keep your legs absolutely straight. Next, raise your right leg off the floor, without bending, for about a foot. Bring the right leg back, however, keep it two inches off the floor, at the same time, raise your left leg one foot above the ground. Repeat the same exercise in quick succession. Aim for raising each of the legs twenty five times. Alternate Toe-touching This is a useful exercise for toning the lower abdominal muscles. To do this exercise, lie down on your back on the floor. Keep your hands crossed behind the head. Next, without bending your legs, raise them off the floor so that they form a ninety degree angle with your upper body. Raise your upper body towards your feet and at the same time, with your right hand, touch your left foot. Come back to your original position and repeat the same exercise, but this time, touch your left hand with your right foot. Repeat the same exercise, alternating between both the legs, twelve times. Aim for three sets of this exercise. Floor Cycling To do floor cycling, lie down on the floor on your back. Keep your hands crossed behind the head. Next, raise your shoulders and neck from the ground. Keep your left leg straight, bend your right knee and bring it near the chest. Twist your upper body and with your left elbow, touch your right knee. All these actions should be done simultaneously. After this, repeat the same on the other leg. Keep on doing this exercise, alternating between legs, in quick succession. Do twelve repetitions of this exercise on each leg. Aim for three sets of twelve repetitions each. If you perform cardiovascular exercises everyday, combine them with the above-mentioned stomach toning exercises and also take a balanced, healthy diet, you will soon have the body to die for. So, bring about some good changes in your diet, make it a point to exercise everyday, if you are serious about shaping up your body.