Can you suggest some exercises to tone a stomach?

[LadyMaryQuiteContrary]

please? I used to have a flat stomach but it's been knocked out of shape by some fibroids (which have now shrunk). I still look a little pregnant but it's mostly squishy and untoned muscle so I'm hoping I can sort this out with some exercises, preferably things that I can do at home. Is this the right way or am I just fat? I can't weigh myself as the remaining fibroids are quite heavy.

I'm not good at this so I'd be grateful for anything you can suggest.

Thank you

[GrimmaTheNome]

You could try the 30 day shred - even if you don't want to do the whole thing, if you just look at the abs sections it will give you some good moves. You should be able to find at least the first two levels online.

[LadyMaryQuiteContrary]

Thank you, I'll have a look

[LadyMaryQuiteContrary]

Wow! I hope that works.

My stomach is exactly the same as <a class="break-all" href="//www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=thenotsoperfectmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/image3.jpg&imgrefurl=thenotsoperfectmom.com/jillian-michaels-30-day-shred-review/&h=1936&w=1936&sz=570&tbnid=IlPSRAtdNAHOSM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=90&zoom=1&usg=__khdhGTY9-wutBV12FkfSjRkTq2Q=&docid=NZMD-zM1FA0QUM&sa=X&ei=YU4fUrbuDKfP0QXAr4DIDw&ved=0CF4Q9QEwBQ&dur=34" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">this.

[GrimmaTheNome]

If you decide to give the shred a go - all or just parts - there's lots of support threads which really can help - the main thing is to do it consistently, a bit pretty much every day.

[LadyMaryQuiteContrary]

I work from home so can find 30 mins on most days. I need to do something, I can't fit into most of my clothes (have gone from an 8-10 to a 12. I know it's still not bad but I'm not happy and I'd rather not replace most of my wardrobe) and I look pregnant still

I'll do a search for the threads. Thank you (herbal tea)

[Lazysuzanne]

pilates is very good, I recommend going to classes so that you learn the correct technique then you can do it at home aswell

[LadyMaryQuiteContrary]

There's only one class here and it's on the evening I work. I do have some videos that a friend gave me tough (yes, not DVDs).

[Lazysuzanne]

there are also masses of exercise vids on youtube:o

[GrimmaTheNome]

20-30 mins a day if you work from home is doable and it really can make a difference within a month.

So - have you done at least some basic crunches today yet?

[LadyMaryQuiteContrary]

I'll have a look in the morning when ds is still in bed because I don't want to look stupid. Crunches? Um... I'm just looking for the yoga mat (I bought a book ages ago and got to page 6).

I used to work full time in a hospital so have never needed to exercise as I spent all day running around. Now I'm what you may call 'office based', just at home.

[GrimmaTheNome]

Now I'm what you may call 'office based', just at home

me too - I write software. You have to make an effort not to be too sedentary but at least it means you can get other stuff like exercise done.

[schmee]

Check whether you have an abdominal separation before doing pilates. (Google it to find out how). Some types of pilates make the separation worse.

[LadyMaryQuiteContrary]

I'm going to do it, I hate this look. Just off to find the mat (I have wooden floors, they are not too great to exercise on).

[GrimmaTheNome]

Check whether you have an abdominal separation before doing pilates

Or any other abs exercise! And if you are OK to go ahead, yes, def use a mat.

[LadyMaryQuiteContrary]

I've googled, it doesn't feel as though there's any separation there. I could do with going on a little diet as well maybe though. I don't really eat junk apart from the occasional (once a fortnight) pizza and have noticed that I'm bloated for hours afterwards so am going to cut these out too. I don't drink enough water so I can sort this easily.

Thank you

[LadyMaryQuiteContrary]

I've found the mat and done 15 crunches incorrectly. I've found a poster online and will try them again later.

[Lazysuzanne]

LadyM, maybe take a look at this vid

I like the way she explains how to breath & 'connect' with your core muscles

[LadyMaryQuiteContrary]

Thank you

[GrimmaTheNome]

So, LadyM - are you doing your crunches etc?