This is how your flat stomach survives the winter

At the moment you are reading this piece with a cup of coffee in hand, I am lying on a fresh white hotel towel with a view of a lovely little bay.

After those three hundred sixty-five days having worked my butt off to show off that as tight as possible belly, I am now doing absolutely nothing. I am enjoying that crispy croissant at breakfast, I am having another glass of that delicious Chardo at the pool bar, and tonight I will unapologetically have an ice cream.

But after this week, the party starts again. To ensure that the blanket over that currently tight specimen doesn't get too thick, I have put together a nice list of exercises for you. Burn baby burn.

1. Commandos

A variant of the plank exercise, only a bit heavier. You start in the plank position, let one elbow go and then stand on your hand, then on your other hand and then back to your elbows. And back to your hands and so on.

2. Ankle touches

The name says it all: you lie on your back and alternately touch your ankles. Try to keep your upper body close to the ground. Generate the movement from the side so that you engage those abdominal muscles.

3. Leg raises

You can do this anywhere and it is a tough exercise because there is a lot of pressure on your abdominal muscles. Lie on your back and stretch your legs, bring them up together and then slowly lower them again until just above the ground. You can make this exercise a bit heavier by squeezing a weight (of 2-4 kilos) between your feet. The execution remains the same.

4. Russian twist

The Russian twist is an abdominal exercise that also trains the sides of your belly and your back. Sit on the ground with your legs up. Lean the upper part of your body back until you feel the tension in your abdominal muscles and keep your back straight. Then tap the ground next to you with your hands. Make sure to rotate your whole body with it. Do this alternately.

5. Dead bugs

Lie on your back with your arms next to your hips and your knees bent. Engage your abdominal muscles and press your back into the ground. Lift both legs at a ninety-degree angle. Alternate stretching your legs out.

6. V-sit

Start the exercise in a seated position. Engage your abdominal muscles and lift your legs at a forty-five-degree angle. Move your arms forward towards your shins as if you are doing a sit-up and keep your back straight. Try to hold this ‘V’ position for as long as possible.