I think that there's nothing more annoying than those high energy infomercials selling all kinds of crazy gadgets that "gives" you a flat stomach or six-pack.  Please don't buy into their hype!

To look like those infomercial "exercise" models takes a lot more than using the latest ab machine!  No, it takes a long-term commitment to careful diet and nutrition, resistance/strength training, and other forms of fat-loss exercise - don't be fooled... it's hard work... everyday!

The bottom line is that if you truly WANT a flat tummy, you must focus on a total body transformation.  There is no other way.  There are no lotions, potions, pills or magic formulas.

How Do You Do it?

Have you ever seen anyone with well-defined abs who also had fat thighs, "arm wings", "man boobs" or flabby hips?   Nope, I haven't and you haven't either.  That's because it's near impossible to achieve localized fat loss.  The body tends to burn fat from all over the place, and generally you have no control over which body part will slim down first.

• Lower Overall Body Fat

  To get the flat tummy and SEE the abdominal muscles you've got to burn the fat first.  Generally you have to get your whole body to <= 10% body fat (men) or <=14% body fat (women) before you start seeing any definition.  Coupled with the regular resistance training to build and define the abdominal muscles.

• Train the Abdominals

  To burn more fat you need to increase cardiovascular exercise. Abs can be trained like every other muscle (e.g. twice a week).  Also note that our muscular structures are individual - that is why some can only get a "4-pack", while others show off an "8-pack"... and some can reveal those "six packs".

Do I have to do Hundreds of Crunches?

Any muscle definition in the body comes from the right nutrition, and the right mix of cardio and weight training. Repetitive abdominal exercise will give you great endurance, but usually it won't give you that washboard you're wanting.

Here are some basic, great guidelines for you to follow:

1. Eat about 15-20% below your calorie maintenance level 
2. Spread your calories into 5-6 small meals instead of 2-3 big ones.
3. Eat a source of complete, high quality protein with each meal.
4. Choose natural, complex carbs such as vegetables, oatmeal, yams, potatoes, brown rice and whole grains. Start with at least 50% of your calories from complex carbs and reduce carbs slightly (esp. late in the day) if you are not losing fat.
5. Avoid refined, simple carbs that contain white flour or white sugar.
6. Keep total fats low and saturated fats low.  Aim for only 15-20% of your total calories from fat. A little bit of "good fat" like flax oil or borage oil is better than a no fat diet.
7. Drink plenty of water – a gallon a day is a good goal to shoot for if you are physically active.

Abdominal Exercises

There are 3 main abdominal regions that should be worked and the exercises to address each region:

Upper Abs
Basic crunch, Swiss ball crunch, Decline crunch, Bench crunch, Cable crunch

Lower Abs
Reverse crunch, Hip up, Reverse Decline crunch, Hanging Leg Raises, Swiss ball leg lift 

Obliques
Side crunch, Cross crunch, Swiss ball side crunch, Decline twist, Twisting Cable crunch.

Tip: When working the abs, suck your stomach in (imagine pulling your navel towards your back) and concentrate on feeling your stomach muscles being worked.  It is very easy to use bad form and end up working the hip flexors.  Not mentioned above is the PLANK exercise.  It's probably the best overall ab exercise there is.  You can do a search engine for the plank and the others listed above to show you how to do the exercise(s).

Bottom Line
If you are willing to work hard to getting and maintaining great looking abs its going to take five, basic, bottom line NO EXCUSES things:

1. A great attitude toward your self image that is healthy, balanced and grateful.
2. A nutritional program that works for you.  It's going to take trial and error, but the basics are there: eat 5 to 6 meals per day with the caloric intake conducive to your age, body size, and activity level.
3. An exercise program that has lots of variety and balances high intensity workouts with cardiovascular workouts for at least five days a week.  This requires that you keep a journal of not only what exercises you're doing, how much water you're drinking, but also what foods you're eating and what supplements you are taking.
4. Drink LOTS of WATER throughout the day.
5. Take supplements.  Top on your daily list should be the basics: Fish Oil, Vitamin D, and a great multi vitamin/mineral.  There are other important supplements such as probiotics and exercise recovery supplements that are very helpful, too.