Abs exercises and toning?

[PastyPinkPanther]

Help with abdominal exercises please! My waist itself isn't actually too bad but I have I have 2 spare tyres either side, so between my waist and my boobs and the other way between my waist going south - this is my main problem area. So I'm looking for toning exercises that specifically target these areas, hoping someone out there has had some success!

You cannot "tone" your abs.

You need to get rid of the layer of fat that is covering them. HIIT and avoiding processed food is your friend. There are no secret formulas to this.

Weight in the stomach area is excess fat so I would start with loosing a bit of weight first

Then you can also look to build your lats / glutes to add shape
Barbell hip thrust
Lat pull down
Bent over row
Bulgarian split squats
Good mornings

Then abs it really depends on your ability
Very easy;
Begin with dead bug
Plank
Side plank

Easy: Then build to hanging knee raises
Med: Straight leg rises
Hard: Hanging Med ball knee raises

Plate dead bug
Side plank knee raise
Bicycle crunches

So I have really defined abs when my body fat is around 17% - I rarely work the area, as I wrestle and grapple as my main sport and my gym routine is for performance

If you have access to a gym, a rowing machine is THE best way to trim abs!

Diet.

Lifting heavy weights - weighted squats done properly really engage and work the core.

And if you really want to test your core - try a hollow hold. See if you can get 30seconds with good form ( whole of spine on the floor, heels and head a couple of centimetres off the floor) then build up to a minute.

Maybe some pilates to strengthen core alongside diet and lots of uphill walking.

Thanks all. It seems I need to head over to one of the weight loss chats as well to get some tips there. I'm 5ft 4, weighing around 66kgs so not too bad but I know I could do with losing a few kgs. I do 2 x cardio sessions a week but doesn't seem to be doing much for weight loss. I'm always hungry when I diet but aware that I need to be in some kind of calorie deficit to lose any weight

...only if you learn the correct technique. Rowing is mostly about pushing with your legs.

Front squats are hard work for your abs.

Caroline Girvan has some killer ab routines on YouTube.