Ab help needed (with progress pics).

SarahBeth0625
SarahBeth0625 Posts: 685 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Background: I have 3 kids within 4 years (5.5 yrs, 3 yrs, and 18 mos.) and I feel like my abs don't stand a chance because of that, but I'm trying. I do 6 days of cardio (31 minutes on the elliptical, burning anywhere from 350 - 400 ish calories) and I work it hard with spurts of "sprints" where I go faster and bring my heartrate up. HR averages 150 - 165, in that range. I do strength training on the Cybex machines 2-3 days a week, increasing my resistance as necessary. Normally I do 3 sets of 10 on 5 different machines.I stay under my calories most days and my weight has been maintaining at 126-127 lbs for a couple months now. I am 5'7". You'll notice I don't have new pic since 1/13, but I look pretty much the same now. I used to do crunches but I almost feel like they made my stomach stick out more, if that makes sense. I am looking for exercise suggestions that will help strengthen and tone my abdominal region, or advice on whether over time, I will firm up on my continued regimen.

I keep seeing ripped abs on here and I feel so hopeless over mine!

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t299/sarahrank71506/GetFIT/d757d2cd-e46d-4184-a0a5-9b4a162e2ea3_zps6cb69f5f.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t299/sarahrank71506/GetFIT/038a98f1-474c-4de6-b1ce-cd701981935e_zpse19d5629.jpg

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t299/sarahrank71506/GetFIT/compare2_zps118f39b3.jpg
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Replies

  • __RANDY__
    __RANDY__ Posts: 1,036 Member
    I never give compliments, but id have to say you look pretty damn good.
  • darlilama
    darlilama Posts: 794 Member
    Try Ab Ripper X from P90X. I've seen the individual DVD on sale on eBay, for example. Maybe Amazon, too. It's a core workout and if you don't feel the results from it, you just aren't doing it right. :wink:
  • crystalflame
    crystalflame Posts: 1,049 Member
    Background: I have 3 kids within 4 years (5.5 yrs, 3 yrs, and 18 mos.) and I feel like my abs don't stand a chance because of that, but I'm trying. I do 6 days of cardio (31 minutes on the elliptical, burning anywhere from 350 - 400 ish calories) and I work it hard with spurts of "sprints" where I go faster and bring my heartrate up. HR averages 150 - 165, in that range. I do strength training on the Cybex machines 2-3 days a week, increasing my resistance as necessary. Normally I do 3 sets of 10 on 5 different machines.I stay under my calories most days and my weight has been maintaining at 126-127 lbs for a couple months now. I am 5'7". You'll notice I don't have new pic since 1/13, but I look pretty much the same now. I used to do crunches but I almost feel like they made my stomach stick out more, if that makes sense. I am looking for exercise suggestions that will help strengthen and tone my abdominal region, or advice on whether over time, I will firm up on my continued regimen.

    I keep seeing ripped abs on here and I feel so hopeless over mine!

    d757d2cd-e46d-4184-a0a5-9b4a162e2ea3_zps6cb69f5f.jpg

    038a98f1-474c-4de6-b1ce-cd701981935e_zpse19d5629.jpg

    compare2_zps118f39b3.jpg

    Ah, pics should be resized a bit. You look good though... Get off the weight machines, lower the amount of cardio, start doing compound lifts with free weights. Squats and deadlifts in particular... You have to engage your core to do those well. You'll see the results you want.
  • kblue2007
    kblue2007 Posts: 2,564 Member
    Planks. Google and you will find a wide variety.
    Good luck!
  • SarahBeth0625
    SarahBeth0625 Posts: 685 Member
    Try Ab Ripper X from P90X. I've seen the individual DVD on sale on eBay, for example. Maybe Amazon, too. It's a core workout and if you don't feel the results from it, you just aren't doing it right. :wink:

    Core workout -- yes, I think this might be what I would be looking for. Do you have the ab one yourself? Thank you for the suggestion.
  • Pixi_Rex
    Pixi_Rex Posts: 1,676 Member
    I am far from an expert but I do know some of the lovely ladies on my friends list have amazing abs, they just lift heavy. I would say drop some of your cardio and pick up some weights and get lifting - starting strength, stronglifts, or new rules for women are a good place to start (or so I have been told)
  • SarahBeth0625
    SarahBeth0625 Posts: 685 Member
    I never give compliments, but id have to say you look pretty damn good.

    Thank you! Like I said, all the ab avatars make me feel like I could be doing something more to help mine. They're definitely inspiring, and not just frustrating! :smile:
  • BarackMeLikeAHurricane
    BarackMeLikeAHurricane Posts: 3,400 Member
    There's still too much fat covering the muscles for them to be visible. Continue to strengthen the muscles while eating at a deficit.
  • Cindy873
    Cindy873 Posts: 1,165
    Planks. Google and you will find a wide variety.
    Good luck!

    ^^This^^ I never do crunches, but planks and push ups (plus a clean diet) give awesome results.
  • SarahBeth0625
    SarahBeth0625 Posts: 685 Member
    Planks. Google and you will find a wide variety.
    Good luck!

    I asked the Y worker the other night and she suggested something about a plank and making sure I get myself off the ground a little to do push-ups. I am guessing this would be in that category of things.... wonder if I could do them on the couch at home? I don't want to feel like a dumbass at the gym in front of people because I HATE that when I don't know what I'm doing. Once I figure stuff out, I get into a routine where it's not so awkward, but I have trouble following basic instructions for some reason. LOL.
  • michelle_00
    michelle_00 Posts: 38
    I agree that you look great!!!

    And I'd definitely put more emphasis on strength training over cardio and look into a routine with barbells, like stronglifts 5x5. Not saying drop the cardio completely if you enjoy it but just more time into lifting. :smile:

    Good luck!

    ETA You could definitely build a routine around body weight strength training if you prefer that IMO :)
  • Mainebikerchick
    Mainebikerchick Posts: 1,573 Member
    I think you look great!
  • SarahBeth0625
    SarahBeth0625 Posts: 685 Member

    ^^This^^ I never do crunches, but planks and push ups (plus a clean diet) give awesome results.

    Reassuring! I'm glad to know I don't HAVE to do crunches to see results. I do eat a pretty clean diet. Mostly organic at home and the occasional snack.
  • IronMikeFox
    IronMikeFox Posts: 458
    Um. I am not trying to be mean with this response, so please don't take it as me trying to be a smart@ss or anything like that. But, I am not sure what you don't like about your abs. They look damn good. If you are looking for a more muscular look in your abs, then I would definitely recommend some heavy lifting and definitely one of those ab wheels. I have been using an ab wheel and can't believe how much stronger my core has gotten. Despite the fact that I still have a good amount of body fat to shed before I could say I have a 6 pack, I can already see alot of ab muscle developing ... even through my stomach fat.
  • kblue2007
    kblue2007 Posts: 2,564 Member
    http://fitnessblackbook.com/six-pack-abs/7-minute-abs-8-minute-abs-what-about-6-minute-abs/

    Check out this link. Rusty Moore is awesome!

    He also has an abs blueprint ebook on his site!
  • SarahBeth0625
    SarahBeth0625 Posts: 685 Member
    I agree that you look great!!!

    And I'd definitely put more emphasis on strength training over cardio and look into a routine with barbells, like stronglifts 5x5. Not saying drop the cardio completely if you enjoy it but just more time into lifting. :smile:

    Good luck!

    How much weight should I start with? 5 - 10 lbs? Are these free weights you're talking about then? I do enjoy cardio quite a bit... but since that's only a half hour a day, I can certainly do what I have to do for an additional 20 mins or so. Probably not strength train eveyr day, but aim for 3 days a week.
  • mazdauk
    mazdauk Posts: 1,380 Member
    Well known anti-lifter here.....:tongue:

    I've had good results before (and hope to again ) with toning DVDs from Rosemary Conley. There will be some sneering at this point because you don't lift anything heavier than a coupe of water bottles, but they do help with your core strength (and include planks and push-ups as recommended by others).

    They break down into 10-20min workouts (but you can combine them) and they are fine just in your living room - as long as you have enough room to lie on the floor (maybe kick the legos and Fisher Price to one side....:laugh: )

    For my part, I have no hope of getting as slim as you unless I get my jaw wired! If I can reach my target weight I'll be happy.
  • SarahBeth0625
    SarahBeth0625 Posts: 685 Member
    Um. I am not trying to be mean with this response, so please don't take it as me trying to be a smart@ss or anything like that. But, I am not sure what you don't like about your abs. They look damn good. If you are looking for a more muscular look in your abs, then I would definitely recommend some heavy lifting and definitely one of those ab wheels. I have been using an ab wheel and can't believe how much stronger my core has gotten. Despite the fact that I still have a good amount of body fat to shed before I could say I have a 6 pack, I can already see alot of ab muscle developing ... even through my stomach fat.

    From the side, I feel like I look 8 weeks pregnant. LOL. They're just not defined like they were prior to having kids. And thanks, I can look up the ab wheels as I'm not familiar.
  • mmddwechanged
    mmddwechanged Posts: 1,687 Member
    Wow you look amazing!!! It took you 18 months to look like that? It took me 18 years! Keep up the awesome work:)
  • michelle_00
    michelle_00 Posts: 38
    I agree that you look great!!!

    And I'd definitely put more emphasis on strength training over cardio and look into a routine with barbells, like stronglifts 5x5. Not saying drop the cardio completely if you enjoy it but just more time into lifting. :smile:

    Good luck!

    How much weight should I start with? 5 - 10 lbs? Are these free weights you're talking about then? I do enjoy cardio quite a bit... but since that's only a half hour a day, I can certainly do what I have to do for an additional 20 mins or so. Probably not strength train eveyr day, but aim for 3 days a week.

    3 days strength training is great IMO. :) I started with 5x5 myself and then modified from there after I was used to it.

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/560459-stronglifts-5x5-summary

    But you can also do body weight training like this type of stuff, which I also do at home quite a bit.

    http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2009/12/09/beginner-body-weight-workout-burn-fat-build-muscle/

    But I'd love my tummy to look like yours! Trying to get rid of a bit more fat. :)
  • dixiewhiskey
    dixiewhiskey Posts: 3,333 Member
    You're joking right? Do you know what 8 weeks pregnant looks like? 95% of women don't show at 8 weeks.

    I think you should continue with strength/cardio if it makes you happy and see a counselor about self-esteem. You have no idea obviously how good you look and that should be helped!

    Sorry if I sound rude but I am brutally honest.. there are many girls, women, mothers who would love to have a body like yours - as is.
  • Cr01502
    Cr01502 Posts: 3,614 Member
    Ditch the machines.

    Ditch the crunches.

    Pick up a barbell.
  • alishawesomesauce
    alishawesomesauce Posts: 20
    I think you look really great. As a mom of one, I hope to look like you start pictures, eventually. LOL I don't have a ton to lose, I actually weigh less then I did when I got pregnant. But I still have some fat and then of course lose skin.

    BUT back to your question. Someone posted about the P90X ab workout. I have a link below for a blog post with pictures and all the comments says it is the ab workout from P90X (I don't have P90X, so I can't say from experience or anything). Anyways, I've seen some other peoples before and after pics from doing this and they really inspired me. It might be worth looking into.

    http://kayciesantics.blogspot.com/2012/03/300-ultimate-ab-and-core-challenge_22.html
  • bizco
    bizco Posts: 1,949 Member
    Do one-legged exercises. Anything done on one leg works the core. For example:

    One leg squats: you'll need to stand on something sturdy like a step platform with risers or a box. Benches don't work too well because the padding makes it unstable/wobbley.

    One leg rows: When doing dumbbell rows, push your hips back and bring one leg up so it's straight behind you. The leg on the floor is straight, do your rows.

    There are endless possibilites. An added bonus is it improves your balance.

    Here's a video of my favorite ab exercise. It takes time to master but it made a HUGE difference in the appearance of my stomach. Work your way up to doing 3 sets of 15. Don't be discouraged if you feel clumsy, keep practicing.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6q7k_D6DGQ&feature=g-list&list=PL4CE51ED9E54AA7C3

    I also like Angela Parker's ab exercises. Check them out here:

    https://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLEA7E9A2A0890E832
  • SarahBeth0625
    SarahBeth0625 Posts: 685 Member
    You're joking right? Do you know what 8 weeks pregnant looks like? 95% of women don't show at 8 weeks.

    I think you should continue with strength/cardio if it makes you happy and see a counselor about self-esteem. You have no idea obviously how good you look and that should be helped!

    Sorry if I sound rude but I am brutally honest.. there are many girls, women, mothers who would love to have a body like yours - as is.

    My 8 weeks pregnant with #3, I showed... I can show you! And thank you. I am in counseling already for my issues.
  • SarahBeth0625
    SarahBeth0625 Posts: 685 Member
    Wow you look amazing!!! It took you 18 months to look like that? It took me 18 years! Keep up the awesome work:)

    Breastfeeding (still). Thanks!
  • firstsip
    firstsip Posts: 8,399 Member
    Well known anti-lifter here.....:tongue:

    I've had good results before (and hope to again ) with toning DVDs from Rosemary Conley. There will be some sneering at this point because you don't lift anything heavier than a coupe of water bottles, but they do help with your core strength (and include planks and push-ups as recommended by others).

    They break down into 10-20min workouts (but you can combine them) and they are fine just in your living room - as long as you have enough room to lie on the floor (maybe kick the legos and Fisher Price to one side....:laugh: )

    For my part, I have no hope of getting as slim as you unless I get my jaw wired! If I can reach my target weight I'll be happy.

    Dear, you've been in several threads saying you're anti-lifting. Just because you're not using a dumbbell doesn't mean you're not lifting. Planks and push ups use body weight; it's not "heavy lifting" necessarily, but it's sure strength training beyond those water bottles you keep using.

    OP, I personally think your stomach looks fantastic. If you're still not happy, go with what everyone else said (I also wasn't a fan of crunches); keep eating at a deficit (though for you, probably a much smaller one) and lift. Deadlifts have made a huge difference in my core.
  • SarahBeth0625
    SarahBeth0625 Posts: 685 Member
    This was me 8 weeks pregnant with #3. LOL :smile: And by the end of the day, this is definitely how I look now! To clarify, this was from early 2011 when I was pregnant with my son (I'm not now).

    http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t299/sarahrank71506/Baby number 3/d73878ae-db93-4d9d-9a92-86d3335fb23e_zps734d262f.jpg
  • dixiewhiskey
    dixiewhiskey Posts: 3,333 Member
    You're joking right? Do you know what 8 weeks pregnant looks like? 95% of women don't show at 8 weeks.

    I think you should continue with strength/cardio if it makes you happy and see a counselor about self-esteem. You have no idea obviously how good you look and that should be helped!

    Sorry if I sound rude but I am brutally honest.. there are many girls, women, mothers who would love to have a body like yours - as is.

    My 8 weeks pregnant with #3... I can show you! And thank you. I am in counseling already for my issues.

    If I understood your post, you don't just feel 8 weeks pregnant but now you are 8 weeks pregnant? Congratulations regardless.. whether you are or just had a baby - whatever the story is, quit worrying and let your body do its thing. If you can handle P90X go for it but don't beat yourself up if you can only do yoga.

    Good luck with your counselling, I hope it helps you find peace with yourself. Your body is beautiful and you should be happy :smile:
  • SarahBeth0625
    SarahBeth0625 Posts: 685 Member
    I think you look really great. As a mom of one, I hope to look like you start pictures, eventually. LOL I don't have a ton to lose, I actually weigh less then I did when I got pregnant. But I still have some fat and then of course lose skin.

    BUT back to your question. Someone posted about the P90X ab workout. I have a link below for a blog post with pictures and all the comments says it is the ab workout from P90X (I don't have P90X, so I can't say from experience or anything). Anyways, I've seen some other peoples before and after pics from doing this and they really inspired me. It might be worth looking into.

    http://kayciesantics.blogspot.com/2012/03/300-ultimate-ab-and-core-challenge_22.html

    Thank you!! I will definitely look into it.
    Do one-legged exercises. Anything done on one leg works the core. For example:

    One leg squats: you'll need to stand on something sturdy like a step platform with risers or a box. Benches don't work too well because the padding makes it unstable/wobbley.

    One leg rows: When doing dumbbell rows, push your hips back and bring one leg up so it's straight behind you. The leg on the floor is straight, do your rows.

    There are endless possibilites. An added bonus is it improves your balance.

    Here's a video of my favorite ab exercise. It takes time to master but it made a HUGE difference in the appearance of my stomach. Work your way up to doing 3 sets of 15. Don't be discouraged if you feel clumsy, keep practicing.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6q7k_D6DGQ&feature=g-list&list=PL4CE51ED9E54AA7C3

    I also like Angela Parker's ab exercises. Check them out here:

    https://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLEA7E9A2A0890E832

    I have pretty not so great balance, so anything to help that would be great. And thank you! :smile:

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