Jackie Warner's Secrets to Amazing Abs

Celebrity trainer Jackie Warner has the kind of abs most of us can only dream about, but the creator of the Personal Training with Jackie: Crunch-Free Xtreme Abs DVD and star of Bravo's "Thintervention" says anyone can get a seriously toned tummy with the right diet and her must-do moves -- which, by the way, do not include crunches.

Why do you say crunches alone are a waste of time?

Crunches are not going to change your body shape at all. Diet is the key. If you don't change your diet, then doing crunches will add only muscle to your shape and can actually make you appear larger. The best exercises for changing your body shape and strengthening the core is to do push-ups and weighted squats.

When it comes to getting flat, defined abs, what's most important -- diet, cardio or spot toning?

It's definitely not spot training. Diet is the biggest factor. It accounts for about 75 percent of a person's body size. To see an overall change in shape, it's best to holistically train, meaning work out the primary muscle groups: chest, quads, back, glutes and hamstrings.

Which foods are the best at reducing visible bloat in the belly?

Definitely reduce fried, saturated fats and increase fat-burning foods like green cruciferous vegetables. In terms of what you should be eating, consume three to four servings of vegetables a day, increase lean protein intake with free-range meats, incorporate high-fiber foods like apples or berries, and make sure you eat the right kinds of fats like avocados and nuts.

Do you have a favorite ab exercise?

Anything that engages the lower body and upper body simultaneously. I love a jackknife. Lie flat on your back with arms extended straight behind the head. Lift the torso, left leg and right arm simultaneously. Attempt to touch the left toe with the right hand. Repeat the move with the other arm and leg. Perform 30 reps for 3 sets.

Who do you think has the best abs in Hollywood? And what they doing to get there?

Hayden Panettiere. She's definitely doing resistance training with weights to give her more tone, and she's building muscle in those primary muscle groups, which helps increase the metabolism.

How do women have to change things up as their hormones shift with age?

They have to increase key foods that contain fat-burning hormones like DHEA, HGH and testosterone. Some good suggestions are whey protein and free-range meats. But nothing increases these hormones more than consistent weight or resistance training.