My One Workout Caveat

victoriashea

Or maybe it's more of a "shortcoming".

I've lost a total of 32 pounds in my weight loss journey. (By the way I hate that expression: "weight loss journey". Mine is... a weight loss conquest. A crusade! A full on offensive movement. Hurumph.)
I've restricted my diet. I've gotten up at 3 AM to jog. I've said no to sweets. I've lifted weights, done push-ups, squats, junges, burpees, Zumba, circuit training, HIIT, and spin class. I've hated every minute of working-out (except light jogging; I mostly dislike strength training) but I've done it anyway! But there's one area I've neglected from day one, simply from pure unadulterated abhorrence: AB WORKOUTS.
Can't stand 'em! You can keep your trunk twists and sit-ups! If I hear another YouTube trainer say "plank" I think I might just snap.
And no amount of gloriously Photoshopped Muhammad Ali quotes have been able to motivate me to get my *kitten* in gear.
But you know what, my distaste for core toning is starting to show... I'll wear short-shorts proudly but you'll never see me in a bikini top. And it's about more than just toning; I need to improve core strength so that I stop throwing out my back when I jog. Yes, that's how weak my abs are. They can barely support my spine.
My supplication to you is this:
A) First off, does anyone else hate working out a specific area?
Does anyone have any unique, and maybe a little less appalling (no, I don't think that word's too dramatic), workouts that sculpt the midriff? I'm not asking for painless, necessarily... Just... less pain.
C) Any other ideas, such as things to distract me while I submit to some very gratifying torture?
D) Some knock-knock jokes?

Let me know!
-Victoria

sedativestorm

I hate ab workouts too! I've been doing Hip Hop abs which is a dance routine that helps build the core without doing sit ups and crunches (except for ab sculpt, which has some floor exercises, but it only lasts 5 minutes). As for if it works, I have no clue because I'm also doing Insanity which is circuit training that also has a bunch of core work.

I don't know which exercises are trimming my midsection. But I can say that Hip Hop abs is pretty fun and less sit ups and crunches.

losgan

I have no PRODUCTIVE ideas in this area either. I hate ab workouts, not because of the process of them but because of the side effects. Situps make my stomach look even bigger (during it's a bad idea to look down) and it's hard enough to get up in the morning when the movement doesn't cause extreme physical pain. I can suffer through them with you (starting a strength and abs class on Tuesday) and just visualize a bagel hanging at the top of each sit-up!

ansonrinesmith

Loved your post! You have a great attitude and sense of humor!
I hate them all! I just grunt through it because that's what is going to get me healthy. (Maybe we are on a health journey?).
Hope you get some great responses and advice.