Kangaroo Pouch aka my lower belly!!!

Briacha
Briacha Posts: 160 Member
edited September 24 in Fitness and Exercise
OK folks...2 kids,good food and lots of years later........

have been doing really good with my calories and my eating so far and have lost almost 8 pounds, but I def see a difference in upper abs. BUT, it all seems to be dropping to my lower abs and it's nasty. Can you say muffin top (as my teenager calls it!!!)??? LOLOL

Now, what exercises work the lower abs??? I do yoga, Biggest Loser (wii) and I take a Zumba class...
Help!!!!

Replies

  • 1111renee
    1111renee Posts: 108 Member
    I LOVE my Island Girl workouts with Kili..........you can find them on Amazon :) after all who doesn't love hula? it's super fun :)
  • avninjalette123
    avninjalette123 Posts: 129 Member
    If you raise your feet off the floor, making your legs at a 90 degree angle and do crunches it really kicks those lower abs in gear! =]
    You can also lay on your back, do the same thing with your legs and kind of just rock your butt up a little bit and back down, that works JUST your lower abs. If you know how to do a bicycle crunches as well. Hope this helps!
  • ChefJenn
    ChefJenn Posts: 350 Member
    bump
  • MrsSanthoff
    MrsSanthoff Posts: 272 Member
    bump!! great post!
  • jillbarnes
    jillbarnes Posts: 80
    I sympathize! I call my pouch 'a c-section muffin top'. Everything got cut apart and had to heal back together, ugh. It's been 2 years and while my incision has healed wonderfully, the aftermath looks terrible. I too have seen a difference in my upper abs so far. It's taking me a while to build up my ab muscle endurance but have been starting to focus more on it lately.

    JILL
  • LovelySnugs
    LovelySnugs Posts: 389
    bump plus question: lower abdomen is my problem area as well. would pilates maybe help?
  • Briacha
    Briacha Posts: 160 Member
    I think yoga has been helping my core, aka upper abs, but not the lower yet!
  • Steph_135
    Steph_135 Posts: 3,280 Member
    Running is supposed to be good for your belly. :happy:
  • sisterlilbunny
    sisterlilbunny Posts: 686 Member
    Hula Hooping!! You're working your core in a great way. The best is by just doing flat out waist hooping you get a great combo workout. It's hard to explain but when I do it, I get killer cardio and toning. Just wish I knew what that was called. Once you get into hip hooping, it works those lower abs even more. Check out Hoopnotica or Hoopgirl for great vids. Heck even on YouTube there are some great beginner vids.

    LOL of course you knew I'd say that at this point. ;D
  • jamie1888
    jamie1888 Posts: 1,704 Member
    Yes, you can work your abs to build muscle there. But, you do need to focus on burning fat. You can't choose where your body burns the fat, so you just focus on doing things that increase fat burn. Diet is really important! Also, make sure you are working in your target zone (heart rate) for fat burning. Keep up the cardio and strength training. Interval training is extremely effective.
  • jmabley
    jmabley Posts: 20
    I have been using an exercise ball with "Pilates on the Ball". I don't see any results yet but I do fill it!

    Best of Luck
  • Katymom22
    Katymom22 Posts: 121
    i would highly recomend jillian micheals 6 week 6 pack but i recomend cardio first so i do the jillian michels blast fat boost metabolism then 6 week 6 pack....if you are hard core you can try p90x the ab ripper in p90x is insane!
  • jmabley
    jmabley Posts: 20
    I have been using an exercise ball with "Pilates on the Ball". I don't see any results yet but I do fill it!


    God I gotta stop posting when I am tired, I ment to say "I don't see any results yet but I do FEEL it!".

    "Fill it" dear god I don't make sence sometimes.
  • NikkisNewStart
    NikkisNewStart Posts: 1,075 Member
    This is a trouble zone for me and this is what I'm starting tomorrow... I need a Bosu for home although we have a balance disc at the gym... I plan on doing this at home and my normal core stuff at the gym. Anyway... Dara Torres is a goddess and is in her 40s... if she recommends these exercises then I'm doing them! lol I'm actually starting this circuit tomorrow, taking measurements, and reporting back in a month with how it works for me. I'm in the process of kicking up my fitness another notch since I just entered maintenance.

    http://www.shape.com/fitness/dara-torres-how-to-get-a-flat-stomach-fast
  • jillbarnes
    jillbarnes Posts: 80
    This is a trouble zone for me and this is what I'm starting tomorrow... I need a Bosu for home although we have a balance disc at the gym... I plan on doing this at home and my normal core stuff at the gym. Anyway... Dara Torres is a goddess and is in her 40s... if she recommends these exercises then I'm doing them! lol I'm actually starting this circuit tomorrow, taking measurements, and reporting back in a month with how it works for me. I'm in the process of kicking up my fitness another notch since I just entered maintenance.

    http://www.shape.com/fitness/dara-torres-how-to-get-a-flat-stomach-fast

    WOW! That corkscrew & all angles roll-out look tough! I think I'd fall flat on my face. ;) Might have to give some of these a try though! Dara is amazing.
  • poundcake24
    poundcake24 Posts: 2
    some things that i've heard that work really well are reverse crunches and bicycle crunches. They focus on that little area right below the abs and sort of help tone that in. The biggest thing is to try to mantain some tension in your tummy while your doing the crunches (but still breathe!!!!). I find it challenging, (I've only really just started) but i've heard that if you do them right you can get some great results.

    good luck!
  • Briacha
    Briacha Posts: 160 Member
    Thanks everyone!
    I was doing the hooloa hooping on wii fit last night, I know not hard core, but damn, it made me tired!!! LOL

    I love zumba, so belly dancing or hula dancing seem fun...I am not great with the bicycly crunches or reverse crunches. I have a hard time tightening up and ot holding my breath at the same time!!!
  • CuteMommy88
    CuteMommy88 Posts: 538 Member
    i would highly recomend jillian micheals 6 week 6 pack but i recomend cardio first so i do the jillian michels blast fat boost metabolism then 6 week 6 pack....if you are hard core you can try p90x the ab ripper in p90x is insane!

    I'm doing the 6 week 6 pack dvd too, I have definately seen some improvement!!
  • jane77
    jane77 Posts: 489
    Yes, you can work your abs to build muscle there. But, you do need to focus on burning fat. You can't choose where your body burns the fat, so you just focus on doing things that increase fat burn. Diet is really important! Also, make sure you are working in your target zone (heart rate) for fat burning. Keep up the cardio and strength training. Interval training is extremely effective.
    very well saID AND right on...
  • Steph_135
    Steph_135 Posts: 3,280 Member
    Hula Hooping!! You're working your core in a great way. The best is by just doing flat out waist hooping you get a great combo workout. It's hard to explain but when I do it, I get killer cardio and toning. Just wish I knew what that was called. Once you get into hip hooping, it works those lower abs even more. Check out Hoopnotica or Hoopgirl for great vids. Heck even on YouTube there are some great beginner vids.

    LOL of course you knew I'd say that at this point. ;D
    YES! That's an awesome idea! I've been meaning to get a weighted hoop since last June, but I don't want to pay shipping. :grumble: Thanks for the video suggestions. I'm going to check those out too!

    Also see SaFire on youtube. :happy:
  • sisterlilbunny
    sisterlilbunny Posts: 686 Member
    I LOVE SaFire!! As soon as we can afford it again, her vids alone on Hooping University are well worth the 20 bucks a month. And she is so nice. She'll take the time to go over all my idiot questions.

    Steph I'd recommend getting your own tubing and weighting it with your own stuff. I use red label 160 PSI tubing from Menards (Poly urathane I think?). You can adjust the weight with tape (for outside) and water (inside). It's SO much cheaper and you can literally make it your own.
  • Happyoceangirl
    Happyoceangirl Posts: 1,993 Member
    I just started a Tracy Anderson "post pregnancy" DVD for abs. Only 5 workouts in and I'm seeing results. My lower abs are DEFINITELY tighter. It's a tough workout but worth it. The exercises work the abs from different angles. Check out the reviews on Amazon.com . They're fairly convincing!
  • lockedonna
    lockedonna Posts: 38
    My lower abs and my weight are the main reason I started doing this. We do bicycle crunches every week as part of our ab workout in my belldyance classes. I think if I did those ab exercises more than once a week, it would actually show. I keep meaning to do them more, but am always too busy, but am I too busy now? No...I'm on the computer though when I should be sleeping. :) Also, I have the Wii Fit Plus and I know it's not always the same as real exercise, but every day that I exercise on the Wii Fit Plus, I always do Super Hula Hoop for whatever the maximum time offered is along with torso twists and the half moon in Yoga. I'm hoping to increase my ab exercises as well as my cardio exercises. Now that I'm almost 2 weeks in and doing well at keeping my food in good shape...I need to work on getting my workouts into good shape. Good luck to you!
  • lockedonna
    lockedonna Posts: 38
    I would love to make my own hula hoop and do some workouts with that. Thanks for the idea! I like exercising that is fun as well...it's what keeps me coming back.
  • Steph_135
    Steph_135 Posts: 3,280 Member
    I LOVE SaFire!! As soon as we can afford it again, her vids alone on Hooping University are well worth the 20 bucks a month. And she is so nice. She'll take the time to go over all my idiot questions.

    Steph I'd recommend getting your own tubing and weighting it with your own stuff. I use red label 160 PSI tubing from Menards (Poly urathane I think?). You can adjust the weight with tape (for outside) and water (inside). It's SO much cheaper and you can literally make it your own.
    That's an amazing idea!! :drinker:
  • tinboy
    tinboy Posts: 121 Member
    bump plus question: lower abdomen is my problem area as well. would pilates maybe help?

    yes
  • tinboy
    tinboy Posts: 121 Member
    I have been using an exercise ball with "Pilates on the Ball". I don't see any results yet but I do fill it!


    God I gotta stop posting when I am tired, I ment to say "I don't see any results yet but I do FEEL it!".

    "Fill it" dear god I don't make sence sometimes.

    LOL! I didn't notice, but looked again, after your 2nd post, and got a huge laugh out of it...and I can relate!!
  • sisterlilbunny
    sisterlilbunny Posts: 686 Member
    Sorry I forgot to check back into this post!

    Here is the basics for making your own hoop: http://www.jasonunbound.com/hoops.html
    I get my materials at Menards. I'd advise you invest the money for a pipe cutter (or use one of those circular saw thingies) because it will save your wrists and make a clean cut. For a 40" hoop, it's about 125" straight. You can use different sizes of tubing, just adjust the couplers as needed.

    The tape can be anything but electrical is generally the easiest to work with and reapply when it starts getting beat up. Erm, and cheapest. *whistles* Another option is to sand the hoop and go "naked". Seriously, a hoop with no tape is called that.

    The 100' of tubing for me is around 24$. Price it right and you can sell custom hoops to your friends. LOL Or have 10 different hoops. What ever. ;D Don't expect to be perfect with it right away but if you keep working at it you'll be hoop dancing in no time!!
  • mamawildbear
    mamawildbear Posts: 93 Member
    Well my kangaroo pouch is flab (i.e. fat) so no amount of spot training is going to help. I just need to lose more weight. You can work on tightening the muscles underneath so when you do lose the weight, it will be firm but until the weight is gone, it really won't help visually. That doesn't mean you shouldn't do the work, just realize that the fat is the main cause.

    I forget what they call them but that exercise where you lie on the floor with your legs straight up in the air and then lift your hips off the ground works the lower abs.
  • CuteMommy88
    CuteMommy88 Posts: 538 Member
    Okay so tomorrow I am starting week 4, level 2 of Jillian Michaels 6 week 6 pack DVD. So therefore today I am at the halfway point. 3 weeks down 3 weeks to go!!!
    my measurement results so far:
    Day 1: Today( half way pt):
    waist 31 30
    hips 41.5 41
    tummy 38.5 38
    arm 12.5 12.5
    thigh 24.5 23
    chest 39 38.5

    So I have a lost a total of 3 inches so far and I know its not a lot but hey i am proud of myself!!! a loss is a loss :) and I know the best is yet to come!!! Level 2 is waaaay more intense so I am hoping to see some dramatic changes at the end of this journey!!!
    I definately recommend this dvd to women who have the "pouch" from pregnancy, My pouch is almost gone :)
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