Fitness

TIA!

If your goal is to lose weight in the tummy area - fork putdowns and table pushways are the long standing favorite. Spot burning doesn't exist - diet is the answer.

If you want to strengthen your core muscles, exercises like deadlifts, squats, and lunges will work your core through stability, but will also work the rest of your body, giving you the overall benefit of helping maintain or even gain muscle, which will also help in fat loss. Exercises like these will also help posture, which can give the appearence of a flatter stomach.

I'm doing good eating the right calories and have a personal trainer 2x a week.  After I had a baby I sorta let it all go... and really want to tighten/work on my midsection so I can wear shirts that aren't long and loose.   

 

My favorite core stablezation and strengthening exercise is the plank.  Easy to modify to make it easier or harder, and works your entire core.  Start with 15 seconds (on your knees) and progress to full planks for 60 seconds.  Once you can hold a full plank for a minute, you can start adding in things like stacking one foot on top of the other; lifting first the right foot and then the left foot a few inches off the ground (30 seconds each).  For a real challenge, try balancing your upper body on a stability ball and your feet on a weight bench. 

Good luck :)

Sorry, but whats a plank? I've never heard of it... Thanks!

Sorry -- should have explained.  A person in full plank position basically looks like they are in the top portion of a push up, except that the forearms are on the floor.  You need to be in a perfectly straight line -- you want to engage your abs, but not "suck them in" -- you want to feel like there's a seatbelt tightening across your lower abdomen (or, in other words, "pull your belly button toward your spine").  Your backside needs to be straight as well -- no piking up in the air.  If you are on your knees, the same principles apply -- flat back, engaged belly, no butt sticking up -- a straight line. 

Wow... that sounds so easy! I'm def going to try that one

HAHA!! It's not as easy as it sounds! You have to hold your self up and it is pretty hard but it totally works! I did it a few times but forgot about it and I will start doing it again now! Thanks for everyone's insight as well! Anyone have any ideas on how to rid thigh fat and keep them tone? What about your tricep with forming definition but not really making them buff! I want to have shape to my arms and when i lose the rest of my weight i don't want it to just be saggy skin you know what i mean? Any insight would be great thanks!! By the way what is : fork putdowns and table pushways???deadlifts??

Very clever amethyst girl, I was amused by the "fork pushdowns" & "table pushaways"

Well fork putdowns and table pushaways go together. What amethystgirl was saying that no matter the amount of ab work you do, you won't lose weight around your gut (your body loses fat wherever it wants, you can't decide where you want to lose fat from), so if that's the goal the best solution would be to watch what you eat, and eat less. In other words, put down the fork, and push away the table. (I didn't get it right away either)

Deadlifts are a free weight exercise where you grab the bar in front of you by bending and the knees and hips, and drive up to a full standing position. It is a primarily glute and quad exercise, but the abs are engaged doing what they are supposed to do, stabilize the entire core, which is why things like squats and deadlifts are very good for the core muscles as well. 

And planks, definitly not easy, and I agree are another good exercise for abs.

If you do it right, your body should be flat from your shoulders to your heels

planks are great... but once you master it you need to add the twist!  Its the plank from one side. Put top hand behind head and twist toward your middle section.    Those are awesome!  I can only do about three of them though!  They are tough!

My favorite one (not sure what its called) is to sit on the floor, balancing only on your butt. Knees bent and feet off the floor.  Contract abs, clasp hands in front of you and then keeping your balance twist from side to side so that your hands hit the floor on each side of you.  Left to Right is one rep.   

My next favorite is holding a dumbell or weighted ball in front of you and close to the chest.  Tuck tail bone in, bend knees slightly and contract abs and then twist at the waist.  Keep the movement very controlled and use the abs to do it!  

I absolutely love this 15 minute abs workout, plus you don't need any equipment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edUFqkWSve8

While you are at it, check out her "butt blasting workout (6 mins)"!

 

Smartjock>> And planks, definitly not easy, and I agree are another good exercise for abs.

If you do it right, your body should be flat from your shoulders to your heels

That will strike fear into the women on here!!! Lol...

Are you Glaswegian?

Ab Boot Camp

 

that is all

My favorite ab excersize is the hanging knee raise.  This one seems to get the most results for me.  I usually use those harness things that hold your arms in place.  I also like to do side bridges, which are similar to the plank, but on your side.

Fork putdowns and table push-aways for the win :)

I love this one for the lower abs:

Squeeze a medicine ball between your knees (work your way up from 4/5 pounds to 10 or more), cross your ankles, and extend your legs slightly so your knees are a little bent. Laying on your back, support your neck with your hands, and lift and lower your legs.

Go slowly and focus on contracting your lower abs, keeping your lower back connected with the floor. Also works the inner thighs!

Original Post by paularuck:

My favorite core stablezation and strengthening exercise is the plank.  Easy to modify to make it easier or harder, and works your entire core.  Start with 15 seconds (on your knees) and progress to full planks for 60 seconds.  Once you can hold a full plank for a minute, you can start adding in things like stacking one foot on top of the other; lifting first the right foot and then the left foot a few inches off the ground (30 seconds each).  For a real challenge, try balancing your upper body on a stability ball and your feet on a weight bench. 

Good luck :)

i love plank.  and i love doing variations with it like you said.  i also like cris-crosses and "scissors" http://www.videojug.com/film/ pilates-scissors 

and of course: 

http://pilates.about.com/od/pilatesmat/tp/Dbl LegStretch.htm

 

I'm looking for good exercise ball moves too if anyone's got any!

 

I lost the bluk of my belly by eating very clean, and working on my core 2 to 3 times a week. Really, that was the first thing to go with me.. My belly, but I do love 6 inches, and I really enjoy doing the plank. Half sit ups really works, but the plank isn't all that easy. The plank has to be number 2 in my book. 15- 60 second holds and I am done. It's really all about what you are putting in, that's how you get the results you want. I wish you nothing but the best of luck..