Bootcampers get toned...

[Gammeldragz]

A thread for those of us wanting to tone up a bit after the weight loss!
I've downloaded the 30 day an challenge app mentioned on the BC thread. Also going to do push ups as I was getting better at these until I gave up my martial arts lessons. One day I will do a full one, still only able to go halfway down...

I’ve done one sayyra, how about you?

Not done it yet as still feeling dodgy.

Hope you’re feeling better soon sayrra

I've done it rshard

I also jumped my horse for the first time since April, he had something wrong with him then had an op in August, he was ace jumping.

This just get worse and worse! They can’t add 5 sit ups a day for the rest of the month surely?!

Anyway it’s done. Rest day tomorrow and I am very excited!

I know timbuk I'm going to keep going with it just now but I'll have to stop before 30 days if they just keep adding 5 each day!

Day 9 done, I split the sit ups in two as it gets a bit boring doing 45 sit ups in one go!

Argh, just read the reviews of the 30 day abs app, one of them says that day 30 is 125 sit ups and 200 crunches! What have a signed up for!

I am so so glad that I wimped out and only did l1. God know what advanced is like.

I mean my abs are definitely getting stronger but I just don’t think they are gonna get that strong that fast!

I’m gonna have to spread then throughout the day. Maybe do 10 very time I go to the loo!

Day 9 done apart from the leg raises, which I will aim to do later. Hit my head on a door while doing the cobras

Leg raises done. Got to 17, felt like I couldn't do it, appealed to DH for support which was not forthcoming as he is a grumpy Git. So, 23 further anger-fueled leg raises completed. I can recommend summoning some fury from somewhere to get you through them!

When you're doing leg raises, be really careful to maintain the strength in your lower core muscles as you lower your legs to the floor and start to raise them again. Better to do it slowly - which is harder but more effective - than to bulge your stomach muscles up with the effort.

Otherwise you could be developing a rounded tummy rather than flattening it!

Hi lost my way with this a bit, switching to level 1 and missing a day. And don’t know where I should be!? Can someone tell me what day I should be on please

rshard I got lost too but I think I'm on D10

Thanks sayrra, I’ll double up and miss rest days to catch up. Glad to read that you’re feeling better after the other day

prettbird wait, what?! That sounds bad. I may be doing it wrong.
For safety's sake maybe I shouldn't do those ones?

Gammeldragz - just be very conscious of your technique when doing them. It's so easy to start bulging your central stomach muscles when doing leg raises - and you don't want to do that.

I find it helps if I visualise my side muscles switching on and taking the strain and keeping the whole of my tummy flat well as flat as the fat on my tummy allows . Tough - but do-able. but I have to do them very slowly

For safety's sake maybe I shouldn't do those ones?

Definitely, ragz. Safety first.

I'll just help you in your decision making process I'm a bad influence by saying that I've been doing Pilates for 18 years with a very good instructor and she is always very careful about our technique when doing leg raises and on those occasions she does them, we only do a very few.

I am feeling a bit crappy today so I have decided to have a second rest day. Hopefully will be a bit better tomorrow and get back on it!

Right, I think I'll continue the others but ditch the leg raises. I'll add pushups instead.

Didn't manage my exercises today, planning on doubling up tomorrow! Think I may regret that!

How about doing some "cycling" instead of leg raises? It's another tough abs exercise.

On your back, head up in the crunch position, with the back of your skull supporting by your hands (so your elbows pointing outwards). Legs raised and bent, with your core engaged and in "neutral" (ie pelvis "flat", small natural curve in your spine you should still be able to just about slip a hand into the space ).

Straighten your right leg at a 45 degree angle, while turning your left rib cage (not just your left arm) towards the right. Bend it back in and then extend your left leg while turning your right rib cage towards the extending leg.

Repeat (you could build up the repetitions in line with the Challenge) as appropriate.

Exhale as you turn towards the extending leg and inhale as you centre up again. Visualise an air bag pumping up your rib cage and keeping it (and your head) elevated every time you centre up.

The cycling sounds a good replacement for the leg raises pretty, I’ll give them a go I think.

I doubled up yesterday starsky but I’m only doing level 1.

I missed yesterday too and I've just woken up so no time to ride this morning either!