What's the best exercise to help me lose my tummy...?

[LadyLetch]

I know it won't go completely, but I'm an hourglass shape which is currently being ruined by my numerous tummies. So my new years resolution is to lose some weight (not much, I'm not overweight, but would like to lose 3/4 of a stone) and to firm up my belly. But what exercise would be good for this....? Any suggestions gratefully received

I truly believe that walking is the best tonic for a flat tum!

Power walking with small weights in hands (1kg)! Really good for the tummy and all over toning - and free!

I want to lose the tummy too, I also want my tiny waist back. too much Christmas cake and a very bad back are contributory factors..

Crunches!

You need to run off the fat by raising your heart rate through cardio, and then muscle toning exercises, so crunches holding weights and squats with weights pulling your tummy in.

Cardio first, then muscle toning.

Spin is excellent cardio.

I started doing the Jillian Michaels DVD's last March after reading all about them on here

I have lost a stone (although I didn't do it to lose weight particularly just to tone up, I wasn't overweight and am amazed that I've lost a stone just through exercise, I haven't dieted at all)

My legs are much thinner and my stomach although not completely flat is much better than it was. I am the same weight now as I was aged 20. (I am 45)

I think the 6w6p probably did the most for my stomach but its a bit hardcore to start with. I'd go with the 30day shred first. I also did Ripped in 30 (not so keen on that one) and No more Trouble Zone which I loved but it takes an hour so too long for a slacker like me everyday
At the moment I am on Extreme Shed and Shred (or is it Shed and Shred) which fells quite gentle but with some good yogaish, kickboxing moves.Haven't done any over Christmas though
Good Luck!!

You can't spot reduce fat. If you want a toned tummy you need to do lots of correct exercises to build up the muscle, but you will also need to lose enough weight so that you can see the muscle.

I would recommend My Fitness Pal for food logging and weight loss help.

There is a book/app called You are Your Own Gym by Mark Lauren which has loads of strength exercises and require no equipment.

*That should read (or is it Shred and Shed)

Ok I'm in

Me and ds1 stared in horror last night at my tummy that seemed to have melted to one side when I laid next to him. I looked quite slim from a certain angle. The rest of it was resting on the bed.

Oh dear. I'm nowhere near mobile enough for long walks / shredding at the moment. Crunches, maybe! I might go down the Pilates route...

Until the weight is off, wombat, you won't shift it- but pilates is excellent for toning.

Could you control weight through diet? Or is the weight not a problem, just the toning?

Hmm, tbh it's not the weight that worries me. I'm 5'7 and skinny fat a size 8. But I am very untoned after all my surgery this year, and although I go in at the waist I have this weird 'food baby' pot belly going on and I want rid of it! I have an exercise bike but will be forced to take it slowly :(

Roll on next year when I can go hell for leather!

Pilates it is then!

The roll ups/down and any balance poses will do it.

I've had to tighten my belt a notch after only 4 weeks of couch to 5k. I wasn't expecting to tone my waist that much.

If you've had abdominal surgery then I would ask your doctor's advice. How about the plank? You're not actually moving and it's a killer!

Oh yes! Definitely seek advice if it was abdominal surgery.

Definitely seek advice if it was gynae surgery too, a lot of mainstream exercise (for example Pilates, running, crunches, planks) put a great deal of strain on the pelvic floor.

It was major pelvic reconstruction - orthopaedic not gynae. I'm cleared to exercise as long as I don't feel pain during, or do anything heavy weight bearing :) So Pilates, planks and roll ups will be fine! I used to be quite fit before my surgery so think my muscles might remember a bit - but ugh, I feel very unfit!

Thank you everyone for the words of wisdom.

Pole fitness is great for abs! Fun too :)

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