How to get back to full sit-ups

[ishouldtryabiteachday]

I've started exercising again after a 10 year gap and 2 kids. I can basic ab curl until the cows come home now 🐮 but I still can't do a full sit up, bent legs or straight like in Pilates. So how do I get back to this? I am only think of reserving it. As in start up and lower back from already sitting then sit up ( so not full
Range) I can't lift from the floor. Any ideas? Do I need different exercises?

I'd be very careful of going straight into the full leg pike sort of sit up - it can damage your back if you're not ready for it. Why not work on slowly rolling up, first with knees bent, feet flat on the floor, then do it with your legs almost straight, but slowly roll up, with good breath control, and thinking "navel to backbone" the whole time. Doing a few slowly with your abs under tension, will be as good as doing a million crunches.

Then work from the other end - work on gradually strengthening the lower abs. Things like having your back flat on the floor, and do alternate leg lifts.

Pilates is really good for all this, but take it slowly and within your capacity.