Working Abs without crunches

mehani48

Due to a botched hysterectomy I had to have six incisional hernias repaired and a 10" x 12" inch mesh implant in my abdomen. Then it herniated under the mesh and I had to have another repair, and then I had to have yet another repair. Needless to say I have absolutely no muscle tone in my (flabby) abdomen and I'm deathly afraid of tearing again.

I know my bikini days are over but I'd like to look....nice.

On my non-cardio days I've been doing some overhead circles with a light weight and side bends with a barbell. Does anyone have any other suggestions.

Cherimoose

Given your surgical history, ask your doctor or see a physical therapist before doing any ab exercises. If you got clearance to work your abs, planks do the job. To learn how, search Youtube for "how to plank".

Keep in mind that ab exercises don't target the skin nor the fat layer covering the ab muscles - if that's the "flab" you're talking about. We can't choose where we lose.

spiralated

I agree with Cherimoose you should talk to your dr. about getting some physical thearapy. I've had three abdominal surgeries and it wasn't til after the third that they offered it to me and it made a huge difference. Also I found introduction to belly-dancing to be really fun, toning and not too intense (but I told the teacher and took it at my own pace).

Hope that helps!

mehani48

Thanks for the advice ya'll. That surgeon no longer practices (go figure..) so I'll bring it up with our family doctor next time I go.