sit ups needed per day to make a difference?

[CuriousSquid]

How many sit ups would you need to do per day to actually start to make a difference on your stomach muscles?

[hannahlouhoo]

Also after pregnancy is there anything you can do to help stomach muscles, so you dont show too quickly with your second? or are you ruined forever?

[Raggydoll]

don'y know but interestedto know if anyone has done it and had success

[CuriousSquid]

oh, am not overweight (well not officially i am by what i want to be!) and currently do around 30 - 50 a day but not all at once!

[tiredandgrumpy]

Don't know about sit ups, but am a huge fan of pilates for toning up post baby. It's all about controlled exercises rather than many repetitions.

Do your sit ups slowly, rolling down, chin to chest. Breathe out as you go down and up, pulling in stomach muscles on the out breath. No jerking, everything gradual. Is really difficult at first, but you'll really notice a difference after a while.

[CuriousSquid]

so doing them slower is better?

i was going to do pilates but need something i can do throughout the day as well as in a longer block if i have time

[pinkmook]

ooooh really hoping some one answers this

[PottyCock]

do they get rid of the 'crepe paper tummy' look or is it too late for me?

[pinkmook]

potty - I have that crepe paper look

[PottyCock]

it's so depressing isn't it?! I have a horrid feeling that once it's gone it's gone (the elasticity, that is)!

[JiminyCricket]

I am a believer in doing them every other day - think your muscles tone up better with rest days. Slow will work them harder, but get used to doing them first. Three kinds:

1/2 sit ups (for middle abs I think) slowly raise until your finger tips touch your knees and gently lower back down.

crunchies (upper abs) Lie on floor with legs in air (crossed or together)with your chin off your chest and your arms reaching towards your legs/knnes 'crunch' and relax

leg raises (lower abs) sit up with legs straight out and support yourself with your hands behind your hips. Lift your legs off the floor with your toes pointed. Relax and repeat.

Build repetitions gradually. i do in front of tv/listening to radio before bed.

[cornsilk]

I once went through a phase of doing 200 a day which made a difference within about 2 weeks.

[alicecrail]

I was told that by holding your posture correctly is more likely to tone your core muscles. I don't do it very consistently so am wibbly too, but does make sense and no sweating involved

[CuriousSquid]

200 ????

bloody hell!! now THAT is determination!!

T^Y Jiminy - i hadn't realised there was more than one kind of sit up!

I dance for an hour a week (thats the official class - i rehearse at home too but not with as much sweat), an walk a lot, do the wii fit (i know its not proper fitness)

[pinkmook]

potty - its crap as my tummy was always one of my "good areas" IYGWIM. Now its def one of my crapola areas :-)

Corn silk, how long did 200 take you to do? Just thinking how to schedule this to my day

[cornsilk]

About 5-10 mins - not long. I got really good at them. Am trying to get back into it at the moment.

[CuriousSquid]

full ones cornsilk? or half ones.

I struggle at the nmo to do more than 30 in one go - hurts. am so to be that weak!! hence doing them over the day but i just can't fit anymore in at mo!!

[cornsilk]

Not full ones!

[cornsilk]

I built up to that much - I started with far less.

[CuriousSquid]

do/ did you do other exercise as well?

[CuddlyKelpie]

Re Wii Fit not being proper fitness...

I took my ds to a physiotherapist this week re his dyspraxia. She said that the Wii Fit had been a subject of much debate but that their department were buying one for the benefit of patients. If it's good enough for the experts, it's good enough for me!

As for situps, I saw a difference doing 3 sets of 15, 3 times a week. My advice is to start low and build up pushing yourself to add 5-10 a week. Steady improvement but reducing the risk of injury.

[cornsilk]

Yes I was going to the gym approx 3 times a week, but I have always exercised and still had a tummy.

[CuriousSquid]

ah, i can't get to or afford a gym.

[cornsilk]

Well something's better then nothing. Running up and down the stairs is as good as a stepper!

[CuriousSquid]

and running after 3 kids counts too

i can see the numbers going down (and the graph on teh wii fit) i just need (and want) to tone up as well!

[cornsilk]

Start with a few a day and build up from that. Body pump is good for toning up if you can get to a class.