Tips for core workout that doesnt involve weights? 18 weeks post kidney donation

heatherrose

Hi! 18 weeks ago I donated a kidney and am looking to regain my core strength. Ab Machines with weights attached are still uncomfortable but I need to start doing something. Any recommendations. Crunches aren't cutting it. I feel pretty squishy in the mid section. Tia

POHarry

Planks, leg lifts would be a couple that may be less likely to hurt you at this point. Go slow and add things as you go.

heatherrose

To clarify I can lift weights. Like for arms, legs etc. I am basically 100% back at the gym but find some of the ab machines are tough to do. I can do planks, squats etc.... At this time (healing stage) I would prefer to use my own body weight in the exercise.... I have tried the normal sit up, crunch and so on but am not seeing any results. Thanks!

acmanna

What a gift you gave someone and glad you are recovering well. A calorie deficit will be the way to lose extra fat, you can't spot reduce. For the core, planks, leg lifts, russian twists are a few of my go to.

DopeItUp

Squats and deadlifts.

Fittreelol

Happy to hear you're healing well! In addition to what others have mentioned I find an ab wheel to be very effective in training abs. I can't maintain a neutral lumbar if I go all the way down, so I just go to where my hands are slightly in front of my head like so:

rybo

Thanks for being an organ donor, my mom is alive because of organ donors.
As long as you are medically cleared I would ease my way into some static holds. Many of these exercises have easier regressions, that's where you will want to start. L-sits, support hold, hardstyle planks, side planks, bridges, hanging knee/leg raises.

Azdak

Pallof presses

DavPul

heatherrose wrote: »

To clarify I can lift weights. Like for arms, legs etc. I am basically 100% back at the gym but find some of the ab machines are tough to do. I can do planks, squats etc.... At this time (healing stage) I would prefer to use my own body weight in the exercise.... I have tried the normal sit up, crunch and so on but am not seeing any results. Thanks!

Please clarify what you mean when you say you aren't seeing results

GilBrennan

ab roller, pull ups, toe raises to the bar, turkish get ups with a plush doll instead of a weight, ghds, and probably ten or fifteen more.