need to firm up my tummy...any exercises?

[goldilocks]

This is my first post on the healthy living board, but I am a regular on the food board. Just wondering if anyone can share some exercises for firming up the tummy. Are there any exercises in particular that have worked for you (i.e. yoga, aerobics, etc.) Thanks in advance for posting.

[mightyh]

I really think pilates helped get my stomach back into shape after pregnancy. It's still not perfect, but much improved!! I use the Denise Austin pilates tape a couple times a week and really noticed a difference pretty quickly.

I think anything that focuses on your core muscles--and thus your posture, too--would work well.

Of course, there are always the sit-up variations. Runners world has an article this month on how to get great abs, as well as an article on how to target your trouble spots. It seems like good advice, though I haven't tried anything from it yet.

[DmOrtega]

Check out Tae-Bo video tapes. I'm receiving a video a month. I can tell the difference not only on myself, but also with the people on the video. They all have great tummy muscles.

[DmOrtega]

oops...doubled up.

[This message has been edited by DmOrtega (edited 05-08-2001).]

[SusieO]

I agree with mightyh that working your core muscles is key. Yoga really works for me. I saw better results after just a couple of months of yoga practice than I did after years and years of crunches, ab machines at the gym, etc. Yoga (and pilates, I'd imagine) also improves your posture which improves your abs which improves your posture, and so on.

[funnybone]

Originally posted by DmOrtega:
Check out Tae-Bo video tapes. I'm receiving a video a month. I can tell the difference not only on myself, but also with the people on the video. They all have great tummy muscles.

Where do you get the tapes from? Is it a "club" or series? Just wondering.

I have been tempted to try this, but just haven't gotten around to it. I wonder if the library has tapes I can borrow to see if I will like it first.

[KValley]

goldilocks,

Just last night, I pumped up my new Fitball. I've been using an exercise ball as part of my abdominal and back work at the gym for the past several months and I love it- it has made a tremendous difference. I purchased this Fitball (65 cm diameter) to replace my desk chair in my home office- just one more way to improve posture and use my abs, since I'm stuck in front of a computer for the better part of the day!

I know everyone is tired of me waxing on about yoga, but any excuse I can find....! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif
What mightyh and SusieO say about focusing on your core muscles is so true- yoga and pilates both have excellent exercises for your core. The idea behind core exercises is that you shouldn't concentrate on exercises that isolate your abs, but rather you should include your back muscles, as well. Working your back muscles strengthens and protects them, balances your abdominal work and provides a solid foundation for your abs, and leads to better posture- which equals a slimmer profile.

See the "Good Moves" section in this month's CL- (pg 58-64). Gin Miller demonstrates some classic yoga postures for the core (some these also work the shoulders and legs).

There are also pilates, yoga, and balance ball (exercise ball) videos that target the abs - take a gander at http://www.collagevideo.com The Taebo videos are available here, as well.

An additional exercise that I have found very effective is the hanging knee raise- it requires a piece of gym equipment that looks like a tall chair with no seat-but you balance yourself on your forearms and raise your knees to your chest, lower, raise.

Also, practice holding in your stomach- not at the expense of natural breathing- but the more you keep your stomach muscles taut, the stronger they become. You can do this anytime, anywhere, 'til it becomes second nature.

Finally- make certain you are getting a regular cardio workout- as DMOrtega suggests-you can target your abs and develop a solid core, but ab work alone won't show off your muscles. Regular aerobic exercise will keep your waist trim!

Have fun! Julie


[This message has been edited by KValley (edited 05-08-2001).]

[Laura]

I can only second what everyone else has said. I have been doing Pilates for about a month and it has helped. When I belonged to a gym however, the hanging knee raises really worked your lower abs better than anything I have ever done. Runner's World recommends doing 20 laps in a pool on your back holding a kick board and using a dolphin (butterfly) kick. I haven't tried that one yet but it is supposed to be a killer.

[DmOrtega]

funnybone ---
The tapes that I'm receiving are called "Tae-Bo Live! Series". I'm getting the basic set, these are 30 minutes each. The advanced are 60 minutes. I like the 30 because I can do these early in the morning before everyone gets up. On the weekends when I have more time I will do a 60 minute tape.
Here's a link to the website :

http://www.taebo.com


[This message has been edited by DmOrtega (edited 05-08-2001).]

[funnybone]

Originally posted by DmOrtega:
The tapes that I'm receiving are called "Tae-Bo Live! Series". I'm getting the basic set, these are 30 minutes each. The advanced are 60 minutes. I like the 30 because I can do these early in the morning before everyone gets up. On the weekends when I have more time I will do a 60 minute tape.
Here's a link to the website :

http://www.taebo.com

[This message has been edited by DmOrtega (edited 05-08-2001).]

Thanks DmOrtega. I will check it out!

[cdm]

DOnt know if you'd like this, but bellydancing is great!! I HAVE to get back in it myself. I have been too lazy much to my dismay. It's fun, you meet people and best of all, it doesnt feel like exercise.

[CAJUN ANGEL]

Originally posted by mightyh:
I really think pilates helped get my stomach back into shape after pregnancy. It's still not perfect, but much improved!! I use the Denise Austin pilates tape a couple times a week and really noticed a difference pretty quickly.

I think anything that focuses on your core muscles--and thus your posture, too--would work well.

Of course, there are always the sit-up variations. Runners world has an article this month on how to get great abs, as well as an article on how to target your trouble spots. It seems like good advice, though I haven't tried anything from it yet.
When you talk about pilates would that include the pilates work out machine? I want to know if that is a good investment and if it is does it work on other "areas"

[mightyh]

I've heard the machine is great (not to mention killer), but have never tried it... I just do the pilates matwork which doesn't require any equipment and have been happy with the results.