Toning your waist

[Valdeeves]

My waist area has really taken a hit from the second baby - the skin and muscle seem to fold in a lopsided manner!
What's the best exercise for toning that area? Any help would be great.

planking & sit-ups!!

Ok great - any particular kind?

Planks are great for toning your waist and work lots of other muscles as well. If you're not used to them start slowly and build up. Try 4 mornings a week doing 3 sets of 30secs (1min rest in between). Once that's manageable you can increase the reps by 10secs and the sets gradually. You could throw some side planks in there as well for your waist.

I'd avoid sit ups for at least 6 months after a baby, longer if you've had a c-section. Takes a long time for your muscles to repair after being stretched and sit ups also can put a lot of pressure on your back. Planks are far more effective anyway than sit ups and engage a lot more muscles.

To tone any area you also need to reduce all over body fat by keeping an eye on your diet. Eat plenty of protein, veg and good fats (easier said than done sometimes but good to have it on your mind!)

It is virtually impossible to spot tone, you can't just pick an area and work it....if it has a layer of fat and you change your diet and exercise accordingly it will go eventually but you can't control from where.

You can help it though with specific exercises and so to work your waist concentrate on maybe abs/obliques.

As long as the doctor has said you can exercise and your abs have come back together you will be fine...maybe go on you tube and get some ideas of what to do...planks are good as are crunches, mountain climbers, burpees, and there are loads and loads of ab exercises out there.

Cut down on sugar, eat plenty of protein and just try and find an exercise you enjoy.:)

I may be dreaming it, but I'm sure someone on here said hula-hooping!