How to tone stomach but unable to do sit ups

elainemorris1982
elainemorris1982 Posts: 104 Member
edited January 28 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi,

I am unable to to stomach crunches at the moment as I'm just 5 weeks over LP shunt surgery and have been advised I need to wait 3-6 months. I've started back walking the last two weeks and am gonna start adding small weights in this week. I feel great healthwise now just on a mission to lose the 20 pounds I put on in the last year due to not being able to exercise and carrying so much excess fluid. Just worried my stomach will stay lose when losing weight if I'm not doing anything to tone it.

Anyone any simple ways to tone your tummy without doing crunches?

Replies

  • sandobr1
    sandobr1 Posts: 319 Member
    Planks, they are hard but effective work on increasing time. As part of my personal train session i would do them in sets of three.
  • JessiBelleW
    JessiBelleW Posts: 842 Member
    You could do planks to tighten the muscles, and I think squats work the tummy muscles too - however this is only going to tighten the muscles. If you have 20lbs to lose (like me) no matter how tight the muscles are - you can't see them under the layer of fat.
  • elainemorris1982
    elainemorris1982 Posts: 104 Member
    Thanks, I;ll give these a go :)
  • sunlover89
    sunlover89 Posts: 436 Member
    Abs are made in the kitchen, not the gym. Keep your diet clean and drink plenty of water and your abs will reward you. I know lots of trainers who have awesome abs who never work on that area specifically, they are just a by product of a good diet and other full body exercises like squats and deadlifts.
  • Montarosa456
    Montarosa456 Posts: 133 Member
    Abs are made in the kitchen, not the gym. Keep your diet clean and drink plenty of water and your abs will reward you. I know lots of trainers who have awesome abs who never work on that area specifically, they are just a by product of a good diet and other full body exercises like squats and deadlifts.

    I agree with this..I know its prob not a option for you right now but jogging, crunches (not not insane amounts though), planks and gentle pilates plus aiming for a low BF% has really helped my abs (I was 192lbs 4 years ago - I never thought I'd have abs) I have found that a better diet and twice weekly weights circuits have made a difference in just 6 weeks..I don't deny chocolate, carbs or anything like that I just made the right choices when I do..
    Stay bright and do let your body recover first if you need to, it's not worth extending recovery by pushing too hard too soon..
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