Actress Song Ji-hyo has revealed the secrets behind the fit physique displayed in her recent lingerie photoshoot.
On a recent video uploaded to the YouTube channel "Gym Jong-kook," Kim Jong-kook visited the office of Song Ji-hyo, who has recently stepped into the role of CEO for a lingerie company. During the visit, Kim Jong-kook addressed the buzz surrounding her photos, asking, “Why did you suddenly decide to do a lingerie photoshoot?”
Song Ji-hyo responded, “I wanted to promote the lingerie I designed by wearing it myself.” She added, “I used very little retouching in the photos, so I managed my diet strictly. I also focused on cardio and did 20 sit-ups every single night.”
When the producer asked if she utilized the exercise routines she learned from Kim Jong-kook in the past, she jokingly replied, “I didn’t. After working out with Kim Jong-kook once, I was bedridden for three days. I even left him a message saying, ‘XXX, I feel like I’m going to die. I had to hold onto the doorknob just to crawl to the bathroom,’” which drew a round of laughter.
Cardio: The Key to Burning Fat and Improving Heart Health
Song Ji-hyo’s preparation combined dietary management with a consistent exercise routine. While she didn't detail her specific meal plan, she highlighted cardio and sit-ups as her core activities.
Cardio exercise raises the heart rate for a sustained period, forcing the body to use fat as its primary energy source. It is essential for weight loss because it significantly increases "total daily energy expenditure."
Effective cardio options include brisk walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, stair climbing, and Zumba. These activities are excellent for overall fat loss and are particularly effective at reducing visceral fat and abdominal fat. Furthermore, regular cardio improves cardiopulmonary function, blood circulation, and the basal metabolic rate (BMR).
Sit-ups for Defined Abs: A Note of Caution for Back Pain
Sit-ups are a classic exercise for targeting the abdominal muscles. While they do not "spot-reduce" belly fat on their own, they are excellent for muscle activation and enhancing the definition of the abs. They also improve core strength and provide better support for the spine, which aids in posture correction.
By combining sit-ups with cardio, as Song Ji-hyo did, you can burn fat through aerobic activity while simultaneously defining the muscle lines underneath. This approach is ideal for those seeking a "toned" look, as it improves abdominal elasticity and waist stability.
However, caution is required. If you suffer from chronic back pain or are at risk for a herniated disc, it is safer to replace sit-ups with exercises like planks or leg raises. Additionally, because intense abdominal pressure can trigger acid reflux, it is best to perform a moderate number of repetitions (15–30 reps for 2–3 sets) and avoid exercising immediately after a meal.
