Sit ups...

[RavenVonChaos]

My main problem area is lack of abdominal muscle tone (blaming 4 pregnancies!). If I do 100 sit ups a day will that sort me out?

Anyone

Anyone

Hoedown you do your sit ups? I prefer v sits which are similiar

I do regular ones then diagonal and I do a few leg extensions.

Sorry what are v sits?

Raven, try searching for abdominal exercises on youtube, there are also some good pilates exercises

Nope, plain old sit ups are one of the least effective ab exercises you can do, although done on a swiss ball they are fucking torture as I discovered last night

I'm working a lot on my abs lately because I have a lot of weight to lose and don't want to end up with a saggy tummy when I'm done, for some reason I have become convinced that having awesome abs will prevent this don't shatter my illusion anyone

I am planning on doing a mix of P90X ab ripper and core workout, Jillian Micheal's 6 week 6 pack and Insanity Abs, all of which can be found on YouTube.

Plus cardio eg. running, walking and cycling to boost fat loss.

The plank is supposed to be one of the most effective core exercises you can do.

It's worth bearing in mind that unfortunately, you cannot spot-reduce fat. You can tone the muscles underneath, but the only way to get rid of the flab is diet and exercise. Certainly there are many exercises which will help with the muscles once you have revealed them, but before that comes the hard work.

THanks for all of your replies. I will have a butchers at Youtube. Its so difficult because the rest of my body is ok (ish) but i look permanently 6 months preggers. It has affected me for many years now as youngest dd is 8. I cant wear certain clothes because of it. Have even had the dreaded "ooh when's it due" comment a few times. So I am determined to sort it once and for all and keep on top of it.

It may be that your abdominal mud les have separated. There's a special name for it but I can't remember it. Have a google. You can actually feel the gap there and it is often caused by big babies or not having strong abs before pregnancy. Nothing can cure it, but Pilates can help.

Just some suggestions here for you.

If you have no access to a gym or anything like that then lying leg raises, v-ups or plank walkouts are good things to do:-

www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/HipFlexors/BWLyingLegRaise.html

www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/RectusAbdominis/WtVUp.html

If you're ok with these and you have somewhere that you can safely hang from, then hanging knee raises etc are very good:-

www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/RectusAbdominis/WtHangingLegHipRaise.html

If you have access to a gym then it is a very good thing to go along to the free weights area and do some dumbbell squats. This has the benefit that it also works on your bum and thighs at the same time as working on your abs.

Have a read here:-

library.crossfit.com/free/pdf/49_06_Dumbbell_Squat.pdf

What they refer to as level 3 is often called an ''overhead squat'' and is really difficult to do at first unless you're really quite flexible. By the way, don't be scared of using heavy weights.

Please don't feel that using heavy weights will make you bulky - it won't and using what you may think is quite heavy weights will really help with weight loss and toning.

Forgot to say, this was in the Daily Mail a few months ago and what they say is very true.

www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2273364/Pump-iron-drop-dress-size-Weightlifting-key-slimmer-figure-say-fitness-experts.html

I've been lifting weights for a couple of years now and it does make a real difference and you don't get all big and muscley.

A friend of mine lives in the States and apparently it's getting really popular over there so that's how I learned about it.

Damn,

Suddenly realised that I didn't tick the box to convert links, so here they are converted:-

lying leg raises, v-ups or plank walkouts are good things to do:-

www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/HipFlexors/BWLyingLegRaise.html

www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/RectusAbdominis/WtVUp.html

If you're ok with these and you have somewhere that you can safely hang from, then hanging knee raises etc are very good:-

www.exrx.net/WeightExercises/RectusAbdominis/WtHangingLegHipRaise.html

If you have access to a gym then it is a very good thing to go along to the free weights area and do some dumbbell squats. This has the benefit that it also works on your bum and thighs at the same time as working on your abs.

Have a read here:-

library.crossfit.com/free/pdf/49_06_Dumbbell_Squat.pdf

www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2273364/Pump-iron-drop-dress-size-Weightlifting-key-slimmer-figure-say-fitness-experts.html