Be the center of attention

For all the effort youve put into toning itand for all the cupcakes youve given up to maintain ityour midsection should be as rock-hard as a diamond and just as much fun to show off. So why does it seem like your quest for a sexy stomach always hits a bump...right about belly-button level? Youre not alone in feeling frustrated: Sixty-two percent of women say the body part theyre most self-conscious about is their belly. But dont give up hopejust change your thinking. Turns out, some of the old food advice youve been following for years may actually be working against you, says Alan Aragon, a nutritionist in Westlake Village, California. The latest research is full of new culinary strategies for shrinking your stomach (and slimming down all over). After wading through the data to answer your most common questions, Aragon presents his core counsel.