Core Everyday??

HarveysBud
HarveysBud Posts: 421 Member
edited November 25 in Health and Weight Loss
Just found a great App to help me with my core (read: beer belly!). It's a straightforward, yet efficient routine and I am feeling ti today!

Now, should I do it everyday? Or every other? Thanks in advance everyone.
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Replies

  • HarveysBud
    HarveysBud Posts: 421 Member
    psuLemon wrote: »
    Doing core work will improve core strength, but it won't help you burn belly fat.. that comes from a calorie deficit and weight loss. I guess my bigger question is, what are your goals?

    Huh, this I did not know. Overall goal is to lose 40lbs. Down 25lbs since Jan, but still have a 'spare tire'. Really trying to tighten the waist line. Thanks for the comment @psuLemon
  • jjpptt2
    jjpptt2 Posts: 5,650 Member
    Depends on what the routine is and how well/quickly you recover from it.

    Bigger picture, focus more on your diet/intake to help lose belly fat rather than an app or any type of training/exercise. The exercise can help, but diet is the overwhelming determinant for most people when ti comes to weight loss.
  • sschauer513
    sschauer513 Posts: 313 Member
    the belly fat seems to always be last place the body decides to lose fat no matter how many core exercises you do you might have a 6 pack abs but will be covered by inch or 2 of flab hiding it. I do core exercises every other day as in planks and exercises like that only about 10 minutes but do some type of sit up, russian twist in my circuit everyday of couple minutes so getting something everyday.
  • HarveysBud
    HarveysBud Posts: 421 Member
    stanmann571 wrote: »
    HarveysBud wrote: »
    Just found a great App to help me with my core (read: beer belly!). It's a straightforward, yet efficient routine and I am feeling ti today!

    Now, should I do it everyday? Or every other? Thanks in advance everyone.

    Since you use your core for everything. You should not do a routine that leaves you "feeling it" the next day.

    As PSU pointed out. fat comes off where it wishes. Any good strength program will engage your core.

    For accessory core work, planks are more than adequate, with 5-10 minutes of plank and plank variations being more than sufficient.

    Ha! I love you enthusiasm @stanmann571 !! I did my first planks yesterday as part of the workout. 2 of them, 30s each. Thought I was going to die!! Thanks for the comment.
  • HarveysBud
    HarveysBud Posts: 421 Member
    jjpptt2 wrote: »
    Depends on what the routine is and how well/quickly you recover from it.

    Bigger picture, focus more on your diet/intake to help lose belly fat rather than an app or any type of training/exercise. The exercise can help, but diet is the overwhelming determinant for most people when ti comes to weight loss.

    Thanks @jjpptt2 . Been a huge focus lately, the diet that is, and has helped me shed 25lbs so far which I am very happy with. It's just the spare tire that seems to have become more noticeable with the weight loss...Thanks for the comment.
  • HarveysBud
    HarveysBud Posts: 421 Member
    psuLemon wrote: »
    If you want to build an overall good physique, you should consider looking into a good full body routine, have adequate protein and a moderate deficit. Because things like broad shoulders and big legs can make you waist look slimmer. The below thread has some good information on resistance programs (BW to barbell).

    http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10332083/which-lifting-program-is-the-best-for-you/p1

    Can you work your core everyday, sure, but 2 or 3x a week is sufficient and you should be able to do it in 10 minutes or less.

    Love it!! Bigger legs and shoulders makes the waist looks slimmer. Genius.
  • HarveysBud
    HarveysBud Posts: 421 Member
    sschauer513 wrote: »
    the belly fat seems to always be last place the body decides to lose fat no matter how many core exercises you do you might have a 6 pack abs but will be covered by inch or 2 of flab hiding it. I do core exercises every other day as in planks and exercises like that only about 10 minutes but do some type of sit up, russian twist in my circuit everyday of couple minutes so getting something everyday.

    Good to hear @sschauer513 . That's exactly this App. 10 minute circuit with all those exercises you mentioned. And also good to know that the belly is typically the last spot to come off. Am sure the beers don;t help my cause either...but still hitting a defect daily.
  • jjpptt2
    jjpptt2 Posts: 5,650 Member
    HarveysBud wrote: »
    jjpptt2 wrote: »
    Depends on what the routine is and how well/quickly you recover from it.

    Bigger picture, focus more on your diet/intake to help lose belly fat rather than an app or any type of training/exercise. The exercise can help, but diet is the overwhelming determinant for most people when ti comes to weight loss.

    Thanks @jjpptt2 . Been a huge focus lately, the diet that is, and has helped me shed 25lbs so far which I am very happy with. It's just the spare tire that seems to have become more noticeable with the weight loss...Thanks for the comment.

    I suspect that's because you're losing relatively little weight from that area compared to other areas on your body. Not at all unusual, especially for men. Just be patient and be consistent, especially with the diet.

    Good work so far.
  • iWishMyNameWasRebel
    iWishMyNameWasRebel Posts: 174 Member
    Ditto to what everyone else has said. My core is weak, so my trainer includes 1 day a week of core work, plus she ends every work out session with a move that is related to that day's regimen but also works core. For example, on arm day, I do dumbbell side bends as my last move. On chest/back day I do weighted crunches. And so on. This has helped my core strength tremendously without causing me any injuries, so, yay!
  • HarveysBud
    HarveysBud Posts: 421 Member
    iWishMyNameWasRebel wrote: »
    Ditto to what everyone else has said. My core is weak, so my trainer includes 1 day a week of core work, plus she ends every work out session with a move that is related to that day's regimen but also works core. For example, on arm day, I do dumbbell side bends as my last move. On chest/back day I do weighted crunches. And so on. This has helped my core strength tremendously without causing me any injuries, so, yay!

    This is a very interesting idea @iWishMyNameWasRebel ! I do a different body component daily for lifting. I may just do this!
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,620 Member
    HarveysBud wrote: »
    jjpptt2 wrote: »
    Depends on what the routine is and how well/quickly you recover from it.

    Bigger picture, focus more on your diet/intake to help lose belly fat rather than an app or any type of training/exercise. The exercise can help, but diet is the overwhelming determinant for most people when ti comes to weight loss.

    Thanks @jjpptt2 . Been a huge focus lately, the diet that is, and has helped me shed 25lbs so far which I am very happy with. It's just the spare tire that seems to have become more noticeable with the weight loss...Thanks for the comment.

    The fat mass can get squishier or floppier part way through loss, look worse for a while, and scare a person. Hang in there (pun semi-intended ;) ), it will eventually look better as you approach goal. :)
  • HarveysBud
    HarveysBud Posts: 421 Member
    AnnPT77 wrote: »
    HarveysBud wrote: »
    jjpptt2 wrote: »
    Depends on what the routine is and how well/quickly you recover from it.

    Bigger picture, focus more on your diet/intake to help lose belly fat rather than an app or any type of training/exercise. The exercise can help, but diet is the overwhelming determinant for most people when ti comes to weight loss.

    Thanks @jjpptt2 . Been a huge focus lately, the diet that is, and has helped me shed 25lbs so far which I am very happy with. It's just the spare tire that seems to have become more noticeable with the weight loss...Thanks for the comment.

    The fat mass can get squishier or floppier part way through loss, look worse for a while, and scare a person. Hang in there (pun semi-intended ;) ), it will eventually look better as you approach goal. :)

    Ha! I see what you did there. Thanks @AnnPT77
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    HarveysBud wrote: »
    jjpptt2 wrote: »
    Depends on what the routine is and how well/quickly you recover from it.

    Bigger picture, focus more on your diet/intake to help lose belly fat rather than an app or any type of training/exercise. The exercise can help, but diet is the overwhelming determinant for most people when ti comes to weight loss.

    Thanks @jjpptt2 . Been a huge focus lately, the diet that is, and has helped me shed 25lbs so far which I am very happy with. It's just the spare tire that seems to have become more noticeable with the weight loss...Thanks for the comment.

    That's pretty par for the course for most males...the belly is primary fat stores and it's typically first on, last off. I lost a total of 40 Lbs and the most profound changes to my mid section came with the last 10-15 Lbs.
  • HarveysBud
    HarveysBud Posts: 421 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    HarveysBud wrote: »
    jjpptt2 wrote: »
    Depends on what the routine is and how well/quickly you recover from it.

    Bigger picture, focus more on your diet/intake to help lose belly fat rather than an app or any type of training/exercise. The exercise can help, but diet is the overwhelming determinant for most people when ti comes to weight loss.

    Thanks @jjpptt2 . Been a huge focus lately, the diet that is, and has helped me shed 25lbs so far which I am very happy with. It's just the spare tire that seems to have become more noticeable with the weight loss...Thanks for the comment.

    That's pretty par for the course for most males...the belly is primary fat stores and it's typically first on, last off. I lost a total of 40 Lbs and the most profound changes to my mid section came with the last 10-15 Lbs.

    That's good to hear @cwolfman13. It's the only area I have not seen an improvement. I appreciate the comment.
  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    HarveysBud wrote: »
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    HarveysBud wrote: »
    jjpptt2 wrote: »
    Depends on what the routine is and how well/quickly you recover from it.

    Bigger picture, focus more on your diet/intake to help lose belly fat rather than an app or any type of training/exercise. The exercise can help, but diet is the overwhelming determinant for most people when ti comes to weight loss.

    Thanks @jjpptt2 . Been a huge focus lately, the diet that is, and has helped me shed 25lbs so far which I am very happy with. It's just the spare tire that seems to have become more noticeable with the weight loss...Thanks for the comment.

    That's pretty par for the course for most males...the belly is primary fat stores and it's typically first on, last off. I lost a total of 40 Lbs and the most profound changes to my mid section came with the last 10-15 Lbs.

    That's good to hear @cwolfman13. It's the only area I have not seen an improvement. I appreciate the comment.

    If you're not taping, it's hard to see any visible change for quite a while.
  • ladyhusker39
    ladyhusker39 Posts: 1,406 Member
    HarveysBud wrote: »
    jjpptt2 wrote: »
    Depends on what the routine is and how well/quickly you recover from it.

    Bigger picture, focus more on your diet/intake to help lose belly fat rather than an app or any type of training/exercise. The exercise can help, but diet is the overwhelming determinant for most people when ti comes to weight loss.

    Thanks @jjpptt2 . Been a huge focus lately, the diet that is, and has helped me shed 25lbs so far which I am very happy with. It's just the spare tire that seems to have become more noticeable with the weight loss...Thanks for the comment.

    I understand what you're saying. I lost 30 lbs and now I swear my midsection looks even bigger than before. In reality it's a good 5 inches smaller, but I lost so much more in other areas that relative to them my tummy looks bigger.

    I'm working on cutting another 20 to see how that helps.

    Best of luck.
  • HarveysBud
    HarveysBud Posts: 421 Member
    ladyhusker39 wrote: »
    HarveysBud wrote: »
    jjpptt2 wrote: »
    Depends on what the routine is and how well/quickly you recover from it.

    Bigger picture, focus more on your diet/intake to help lose belly fat rather than an app or any type of training/exercise. The exercise can help, but diet is the overwhelming determinant for most people when ti comes to weight loss.

    Thanks @jjpptt2 . Been a huge focus lately, the diet that is, and has helped me shed 25lbs so far which I am very happy with. It's just the spare tire that seems to have become more noticeable with the weight loss...Thanks for the comment.

    I understand what you're saying. I lost 30 lbs and now I swear my midsection looks even bigger than before. In reality it's a good 5 inches smaller, but I lost so much more in other areas that relative to them my tummy looks bigger.

    I'm working on cutting another 20 to see how that helps.

    Best of luck.

    Right. Thanks for the note. And you too!!
  • HarveysBud
    HarveysBud Posts: 421 Member
    MegaMooseEsq wrote: »
    I'm not male, but I am lucky enough to carry my fat in a more male-typical pattern (wooooooo... *cry*). And although you sadly can't do anything to speed up loss in any particular area, I have noticed an awesome benefit of improving core strength: better posture. Maybe this isn't an issue for you, but I was a big sloucher and tended to sort of "lead with my belly" when I walked. I started noticing improvements in this area not long after I started working out last summer, but the big shifts have been in the last two months, when I added five minutes of planks 4-5 days a week, and then a month ago when I started a lifting program. Instead of walking around all slumped over, I find I'm naturally keeping my core slightly tensed, which has helped my back and shoulder pain and had the nice side effect of sucking in my remaining gut a bit.

    ETA: Maybe don't try and do planks every day, though. I messed up one of my feet that way and had to take a week off. There's a monthly plank challenge here if that's your thing.

    Thanks so much for the link @MegaMooseEsq ! I am going to give it a try. And as for the posture and what not, definitely need some improvement. Sitting at a desk all day, staring down at a phone...it's brutal!
  • stanmann571
    stanmann571 Posts: 5,727 Member
    HarveysBud wrote: »
    MegaMooseEsq wrote: »
    I'm not male, but I am lucky enough to carry my fat in a more male-typical pattern (wooooooo... *cry*). And although you sadly can't do anything to speed up loss in any particular area, I have noticed an awesome benefit of improving core strength: better posture. Maybe this isn't an issue for you, but I was a big sloucher and tended to sort of "lead with my belly" when I walked. I started noticing improvements in this area not long after I started working out last summer, but the big shifts have been in the last two months, when I added five minutes of planks 4-5 days a week, and then a month ago when I started a lifting program. Instead of walking around all slumped over, I find I'm naturally keeping my core slightly tensed, which has helped my back and shoulder pain and had the nice side effect of sucking in my remaining gut a bit.

    ETA: Maybe don't try and do planks every day, though. I messed up one of my feet that way and had to take a week off. There's a monthly plank challenge here if that's your thing.

    Thanks so much for the link @MegaMooseEsq ! I am going to give it a try. And as for the posture and what not, definitely need some improvement. Sitting at a desk all day, staring down at a phone...it's brutal!

    Learning to stand with "packed shoulders" will do wonders for how you look and feel(especially when wearing clothes.... I still have people blown away when I tell them how much I weigh, just because I carry myself well.... I stand strong and tall, and it really makes a difference.
  • HarveysBud
    HarveysBud Posts: 421 Member
    stanmann571 wrote: »
    HarveysBud wrote: »
    MegaMooseEsq wrote: »
    I'm not male, but I am lucky enough to carry my fat in a more male-typical pattern (wooooooo... *cry*). And although you sadly can't do anything to speed up loss in any particular area, I have noticed an awesome benefit of improving core strength: better posture. Maybe this isn't an issue for you, but I was a big sloucher and tended to sort of "lead with my belly" when I walked. I started noticing improvements in this area not long after I started working out last summer, but the big shifts have been in the last two months, when I added five minutes of planks 4-5 days a week, and then a month ago when I started a lifting program. Instead of walking around all slumped over, I find I'm naturally keeping my core slightly tensed, which has helped my back and shoulder pain and had the nice side effect of sucking in my remaining gut a bit.

    ETA: Maybe don't try and do planks every day, though. I messed up one of my feet that way and had to take a week off. There's a monthly plank challenge here if that's your thing.

    Thanks so much for the link @MegaMooseEsq ! I am going to give it a try. And as for the posture and what not, definitely need some improvement. Sitting at a desk all day, staring down at a phone...it's brutal!

    Learning to stand with "packed shoulders" will do wonders for how you look and feel(especially when wearing clothes.... I still have people blown away when I tell them how much I weigh, just because I carry myself well.... I stand strong and tall, and it really makes a difference.

    I see my posture and it's awful. Especially how I sit. Definitively a new goal. Thanks @stanmann571
  • endermako
    endermako Posts: 785 Member
    MegaMooseEsq wrote: »
    I'm not male, but I am lucky enough to carry my fat in a more male-typical pattern (wooooooo... *cry*). And although you sadly can't do anything to speed up loss in any particular area, I have noticed an awesome benefit of improving core strength: better posture. Maybe this isn't an issue for you, but I was a big sloucher and tended to sort of "lead with my belly" when I walked. I started noticing improvements in this area not long after I started working out last summer, but the big shifts have been in the last two months, when I added five minutes of planks 4-5 days a week, and then a month ago when I started a lifting program. Instead of walking around all slumped over, I find I'm naturally keeping my core slightly tensed, which has helped my back and shoulder pain and had the nice side effect of sucking in my remaining gut a bit.

    ETA: Maybe don't try and do planks every day, though. I messed up one of my feet that way and had to take a week off. There's a monthly plank challenge here if that's your thing.

    Yes better posture is an awesome bonus to improving core strength. i'm seeing changes with this myself.
  • Silentpadna
    Silentpadna Posts: 1,306 Member
    edited March 2018
    Some of the guys i know with a strong core and visible abz do absolutely zero core specific work. No crunches, no planks, no anything. What makes their core stronger is heavy compound lifts.

    While i still have some mid section fat to lose, i can whole heartedly verify that this is true. Nothing, and i mean nothing has made a bigger difference in that area for me than squats and dead lifts. You cannot perform those lifts progressively without engaging your core. I did not believe that to be true but it is. Now that I'm cutting again after 9 months in a progressive lifting program my abs are just starting to peak out....for the first time in my life. And I'm 55. I've done core centered exercises. Nothing had compared to eating at a deficit and compound lifts.

    ETA: btw i have nothing against core exercises to be clear. I think planks are certainly helpful. Crunches and the like not so much. The purpose of core strength is to solidify your back and trunk area for lifting heavy and moving well. Planks do exactly that. As does heavy compound lifts. Planks certainly assist that.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,431 MFP Moderator
    Silentpadna wrote: »
    Some of the guys i know with a strong core and visible abz do absolutely zero core specific work. No crunches, no planks, no anything. What makes their core stronger is heavy compound lifts.

    While i still have some mid section fat to lose, i can whole heartedly verify that this is true. Nothing, and i mean nothing has made a bigger difference in that area for me than squats and dead lifts. You cannot perform those lifts progressively without engaging your core. I did not believe that to be true but it is. Now that I'm cutting again after 9 months in a progressive lifting program my abs are just starting to peak out....for the first time in my life. And I'm 55. I've done core centered exercises. Nothing had compared to eating at a deficit and compound lifts.

    ETA: btw i have nothing against core exercises to be clear. I think planks are certainly helpful. Crunches and the like not so much. The purpose of core strength is to solidify your back and trunk area for lifting heavy and moving well. Planks do exactly that. As does heavy compound lifts. Planks certainly assist that.

    Compound lifts are not very effective at engaging your core. Its mininalisric at best. If one wants a strong core, they should do core work, just like if a person wanta big biceps, they should incorporate direct bicep work.
  • HarveysBud
    HarveysBud Posts: 421 Member
    Silentpadna wrote: »
    Some of the guys i know with a strong core and visible abz do absolutely zero core specific work. No crunches, no planks, no anything. What makes their core stronger is heavy compound lifts.

    While i still have some mid section fat to lose, i can whole heartedly verify that this is true. Nothing, and i mean nothing has made a bigger difference in that area for me than squats and dead lifts. You cannot perform those lifts progressively without engaging your core. I did not believe that to be true but it is. Now that I'm cutting again after 9 months in a progressive lifting program my abs are just starting to peak out....for the first time in my life. And I'm 55. I've done core centered exercises. Nothing had compared to eating at a deficit and compound lifts.

    ETA: btw i have nothing against core exercises to be clear. I think planks are certainly helpful. Crunches and the like not so much. The purpose of core strength is to solidify your back and trunk area for lifting heavy and moving well. Planks do exactly that. As does heavy compound lifts. Planks certainly assist that.

    Thanks for this @Silentpadna ! And I can totally get behind that. My only issue right now is I'm waiting to get my ACL done this July so I am avoiding the deadlifts, etc....I mean, not that I have ever done them. But something I do want to explore once I get all healed up. Thanks a million for the comment and the education. I love it.
  • HarveysBud
    HarveysBud Posts: 421 Member
    estherdragonbat wrote: »
    Another one of those whose belly seems to be the last place the fat leaves! But here's what I've noticed after doing core work as part of my regular full-body workout:
    • Posture has improved. (Granted, it's probably not only because of core work. I've lost 100 lbs, so not having that extra person dragging me down has probably helped too!)
    • In general, the area feels tighter, even if it doesn't look it.
    • I'm a woman. Since doing core work, I've noticed a marked decline in physical complaints when it's 'that time of month'. (Obviously, that won't apply to you, but it's a nice benefit for me!)
    • Last November, I had bladder surgery. In the recovery room, the nurse wanted to crank up my cot so that I could drink some juice. He asked me if I could "try to sit up" on my own. (I translate that as, "Could you try to not be deadweight?") I did. Without any strain or discomfort, just... normally. Like I hadn't just come out of surgery. The nurse's comment verbatim? "Wow. You've got some good trunk muscles."

    Bottom line: even if I haven't got a flat stomach, I seem to have a strong one.

    Good on you Esther!! Lol, dead weight', you showed that nurse!!
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