Stomach toning...

mrschappet

Ok so this is a little embarrassing for me to talk about.. but what better place then here where someone else may be able to relate and even help with advice.. so here goes..

I'm having "tummy toning issues"... standing up i think it looks great.. i have defined abs ..well upper abs.. my lower abs are the problem but it is at least flat (and i have reached my weight goal i toggle between 115-120 (116.2 current) I feel good in a bikini but thats until i bend over. If i were to need to lean over to help my toddler pick something up or whatever i have a stomach that hangs.

I am even insecure doing pushups... can't workout in just a sports bra for fear of others seeing my stomach just hang there... or doing stretches it hang over my pants..... like i said standing i think it looks fine.... flat and i can see my abs....

can anyone help me out here... how do i target this excess fat area and get it to be lifted no matter what position i am in LOL

Nikstergirl

I found a great ab and core workout this month in Women's Health magazine that was four different exercises using weights and standing! They are easy, but tough with the weights and so far I'm liking them. It's too soon to know if they work, but check out the mag, you might like the workout!

hottamolly00

Try this. Take a piece of paper. Mash the top of it down to the bottom. Does it push outward?

...just proving that even something as thin as paper will have a "pushing out" effect.

cirka2002

I'm having the same issue! looks good when I'm standing, and icky when sitting.....waiting to see what others have to say.

ejmcam

I had the same problem, but its starting to get better. Look for ab exercises that tone your lower abs. one that I do is lay on my back, legs up off the floor stretched out in front of me. Lift my shoulders up off the floor and reach forward (as if I am doing a crunch) and then pull your legs up into the crunch position and stretch back out.....I do about 3 sets of 15 or 20 each workout (depending on how many other ab workouts I have done) I hope I explained that well...

TeenaMarina

Try this. Take a piece of paper. Mash the top of it down to the bottom. Does it push outward?

...just proving that even something as thin as paper will have a "pushing out" effect.

What?!?! Lol

Spayrroe

You mentioned having a toddler... Did you have a c-section, by chance? I've heard that there can be a lot of problems with this type of thing after having a c-sec because of the way they cut.

I'm so happy for you in all the weight you've lost (I can't imagine I'll ever feel comfortable, let alone attractive in a bikini! lol)! It's nice to see that you're not berating yourself over this! I hope you can find something that works for you though! Good luck! Okay... I think I've used up my whole daily limit of exclamation points today

ejmcam

I should have said that I keep my shoulders up the entire set, and only move my legs in and out of the crunch position....

withchaco

My dad kept his six pack well into his mid 40s, and he swears by this exercise for the lower abs: lay on your back, your entire body straight, flat and comfortable. Keep your arms close to your body, and legs straight. Lift your legs just a little (heels no more than a few inches from the floor), keeping them as straight as you can, and hold them in place for a few seconds (increase the time as you get better). Put them down, wait a few sec, and lift + hold them again.

Really simple and basic. In fact, I think most people know about this one, but a quick reminder of the basics never hurts.

mrschappet

You mentioned having a toddler... Did you have a c-section, by chance? I've heard that there can be a lot of problems with this type of thing after having a c-sec because of the way they cut.

I'm so happy for you in all the weight you've lost (I can't imagine I'll ever feel comfortable, let alone attractive in a bikini! lol)! It's nice to see that you're not berating yourself over this! I hope you can find something that works for you though! Good luck! Okay... I think I've used up my whole daily limit of exclamation points today

Nope no C-section.... I have 2 kids both natural births... but my last child I carried her all tummy and very low... the whole pregnancy everyone always commented on how low i carried her, and my doc would joke about how she would have nowhere to drop when the time came LOL.. so i think that has a lot to do with the lower ab fat LOL.... but hey and thanks for all the good comments :-) and for the record love exclamation points!!!!!!!!!

DebiP10

it sounds to me like loose skin hun and i have the same problem. moisturise and drink plenty water to hydrate your skin, it will tone up to an extent but unfortunately i cant seem to get back the " pre pregnancy" lower tummy after having children and that was 21 years ago lol :ohwell:

Brooke1542

On YouTube there is a girl who posts a lot of lower ab workouts. If you just search Pop Pilates it should come up. I've only tried a couple of them, but they seem to work well.

mrschappet

it sounds to me like loose skin hun and i have the same problem. moisturise and drink plenty water to hydrate your skin, it will tone up to an extent but unfortunately i cant seem to get back the " pre pregnancy" lower tummy after having children and that was 21 years ago lol :ohwell:

Ok i was wondering if that was it.. but if it was loose skin wouldn't it hang when i am upright as well... not only when i am in push-up position?

mrschappet

Ok so this is a little embarrassing for me to talk about.. but what better place then here where someone else may be able to relate and even help with advice.. so here goes..

I'm having "tummy toning issues"... standing up i think it looks great.. i have defined abs ..well upper abs.. my lower abs are the problem but it is at least flat (and i have reached my weight goal i toggle between 115-120 (116.2 current) I feel good in a bikini but thats until i bend over. If i were to need to lean over to help my toddler pick something up or whatever i have a stomach that hangs.

I am even insecure doing pushups... can't workout in just a sports bra for fear of others seeing my stomach just hang there... or doing stretches it hang over my pants..... like i said standing i think it looks fine.... flat and i can see my abs....

can anyone help me out here... how do i target this excess fat area and get it to be lifted no matter what position i am in LOL

Ok, so I started the Jillian Michaels 6week 6pack.... I will post an update when/if I start to see results... But I must say I'm only on day two and I can feel that my lower abs have really gotten a good workout.. Much different from other ab workouts that I have done :-) WISH ME LUCK!!! Bikini season here I come FULL FORCE!!!!