Exercises?

[cybrkitn]

Anyone know of any exercises that target the lower abdomen (belly button and below)?

After giving birth to DS back in 2002, I was never able to get rid of the extra weight there. I also lost 30 lbs in my last trimester b/c I had gestational diabetes and my doctor had me on a very strict diet. Loved that feeling of weighing less after giving birth than weighing more prior to pregnancy!

I weighed myself yesterday and went when I realized that I'm now back up to my pre-pregnancy weight. It took me 5 years to gain all 30 lbs back and I don't want it! It's hard enough as it is to find women's petite sizes.

Anyone have any good exercises to do.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Toning the core as it is called can be done by Pilates exercises. You can try to find them at your local library to try. That will tone the area that you need.

It will not help with the weight loss though. There is where you need to change eating and increase moving.

Good luck with it all. You can do it!

I'm happy to hear that you want to.

 

[disneychrista]

You need to lose weight through diet changes and increased exercise. You can do toning exercises for that area but you can not spot reduce.

 

[cybrkitn]

You need to lose weight through diet changes and increased exercise. You can do toning exercises for that area but you can not spot reduce.

Sorry, I should have clarified. I'm not really looking to spot reduce. I need to lose it all over, but mostly there. It's hard to find skirts and pants to fit b/c of this. The last time I lost 6 lbs, that was one area that didn't seem to lose the "flab" so-to-speak.

I know that I have to do both diet and exercise in order to lose the weight. I'm already trying to watch what I'm eating and I've switched from drinking regular soda to having unsweetened iced tea (from the tea bags) with nothing in it. I can't have aspartame b/c it gives me an upset stomach.

I just don't know what type of exercises I can do without joining a gym, besides the usual walking and sit-ups. I'm totally clueless when it comes to exercises.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I just don't know what type of exercises I can do without joining a gym, besides the usual walking and sit-ups. I'm totally clueless when it comes to exercises.

OK then my suggestin will still stand. Go to the library, get a dvd or even book for the exercises you can try.

My first reocmmendation is Pilates. I love Pilates.

The exercises may seem difficult at first. Do what you can; you will improve over time and it WILL make a difference.

Also, look into Yoga options and or exercise balls. There are sites on the web you can use to get ou started with the exercise examples that you can see it you want to try it out before you spend money on dvds.

These exercises are exactly what you need. Use the free resources to experiment and also garage sales for some to try may help.

If you can sift through the junk on You tube, you might find some visual exambles of the pilates exercises there too.

WISHing you all the best in your quest. Let me know how you are managing.

 

[cybrkitn]

Thanks Tiger Lily! I'll check out the Pilates. I'm not comfortable with the whole Yoga thing.

 

[Octoberbride03]

The library is fine for Dvds but I have a website for you.
www.collagevideo.com

Its ALL workout videos. I get all my workouts here. Right now I'm working with a stability ball. I have really lost quite a bit around my tummy working out with it too. Great thing about the ball is no matter what part of the body you're working you're always working the core with it to keep the form right. Just sitting on the ball engages your abs to support the spine.

But collage has all kinds of videos. And you can see clips b4 you buy them. Also sells the related equiptment if you need it.

Good luck

 

[cybrkitn]

Thanks everyone for your help

 

[Taqwus]

Though it has been said in the post already I would like to say it again you can not spot reduce
If you want to lose weight, you will need a healthy diet and exercise
Only gaining 30lbs in 6 years is great when I quite smoking I gained 60 lbs in about a year
Also I would do pilates, but also do yoga. I have done both and found Yoga far more useful, one thing I liked is I have no more foot, back, hand problems from doing yoga and it also gives you a great workout
I have been debating putting together an exercise routine for people going to WDW soon
Off the top of my head here are some exercises that can help you
Squat
Deadlift
Lunges
Push Ups (T-Style)
Chin up
Those will taget your main areas

 

[cybrkitn]

Though it has been said in the post already I would like to say it again you can not spot reduce
If you want to lose weight, you will need a healthy diet and exercise
Only gaining 30lbs in 6 years is great when I quite smoking I gained 60 lbs in about a year
Also I would do pilates, but also do yoga. I have done both and found Yoga far more useful, one thing I liked is I have no more foot, back, hand problems from doing yoga and it also gives you a great workout
I have been debating putting together an exercise routine for people going to WDW soon
Off the top of my head here are some exercises that can help you
Squat
Deadlift
Lunges
Push Ups (T-Style)
Chin up
Those will taget your main areas

Thanks

 

[JMD]

Also I would do pilates, but also do yoga.

Forget pilates and Yoga, and do these instead...

Squat
Deadlift
Lunges
Push Ups (T-Style)
Chin up

They will be much more beneficial and help you reach your goals faster than doing pilates and yoga.

 

[bubba73]

If you want to tighten up your core, there are several exercises that you can do. Now, I will say that I totally agree with what has already been said as far as the workouts go. All of those will get your heart rate up and help with overall conditioning.

Otherwise, I would recommend leg raises. You can do these at home while laying on the floor and your hands either under your lower back or out to the side. Make sure that you tilt your pelvis as this is where you get that extra little crunch. Also, you can lay down on your stomach. Prop up on your elbows and your toes. Keep your back straight and your abs tight. Now, hold it. See how long you can hold this position. It isn't easy.

Give those two a try and see how you like the way it feels on your lower abs.

 

[JMD]

Give those two a try and see how you like the way it feels on your lower abs.

Lower abs?

 

[M 'n C]

I agree with the leg lifts. Boy are those hard to do and I feel them the entire time.

Lower abs = the area you are talking of originally - belly button and below.

 

[cybrkitn]

Thanks everyone for the help.

The leg lifts I was doing, but as a pp had said, they are hard to do. I was also doing leg lifts at my desk at work (lifting my upper legs while sitting). But I don't know how many to do or how long to hold it for.

For right now, though, I'm going to hold off on exercises b/c I might be pregnant (I'm already late). The last time I asked the doctor about exercises, he told me not to start if I wasn't already consistently doing them before-hand.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

I WISH you wonderful news as you wait to discover if you are and then an easy time.

 

[monte]

Balancing on one foot is good for the core.

Do you own a fitball?

 

[cybrkitn]

Tiger Lilly - Thank you. Still nothing yet. I have to give it a few more days before I can test again.

Monte - No, I don't own a fitball. I don't own any fitness equipment. But that's ok. I'll keep up with the short walks for right now (when I go out during lunch, it's usually about a 10 minute walk).

As I mentioned at the end of page 1, I may be pregnant so that will change what I can do. The last time I was pregnant and 9 weeks along, DH and I went to San Diego and did too much walking that my body was hurting afterwards. The doctor agreed with me that I over did it. Don't want that happening again

 

[JMD]

Lower abs = the area you are talking of originally - belly button and below.

Sorry, I was being a little sarcastic.

Since there is no such thing as "lower abs", it would be impossible to isolate that area. You lose fat around the lower abdominal area the same way you lose fat around the rest of the body, with a good diet and increased exercise. It just seems like that area is the last to lose the fat.

Targeting the lower abs with exercises like leg raises, is a myth.

 

[Taqwus]

Forget pilates and Yoga, and do these instead...





They will be much more beneficial and help you reach your goals faster than doing pilates and yoga.

The reason I said to do yoga is that it is a great all body workout and it will help strengthen a lot of your stabalization muscles, it also worked wonders on me I got rid of my back, hand, foot, and knee pains by doing yoga. My yoga teacher would always say you needed to gain your flexibility before you strengthen the muscle aka lengthen before you strengthen.
Also from Yoga I found I was always relaxed and at peace after the workout

The other 6 exercises would target to 6 main muscle groups
I do agree there is really no reason to do leg lifts unless you feel like torturing yourself