tummy toning - running/swimming/other?

I went to a pilates class earlier this week and oh my god, my stomach is still hurting now ?

Those exercises would easily translate to being done at home and could be squeezed in in blocks around other stuff. There must be some good DVDs around - probs worth getting one so you can see how it should be done so you don't duff your back up.

Any fitness DVD will have a tummy toning section to it and they're easy to just slot in as and when.

Pilates is good but I'm not convinced that you can be sure of having the right technique unless you've been to a few classes.

My main tip would be to go for something you like, it's no good taking up exercise to tone up your middle and then not do it because you hate it!!

If you don't want to do any more exercise than your walking and you just want some tummy specific exercises try searching on amazon for the many "flat tummy" DVDs. I think the 10 minute solutions one is well used by hitchers so would be highly recommended. Personally I like the tummy section in the Joanna Hall Drop a Dress Size DVD (old now so you'd probably get it cheap). Even search for post baby workouts- in fact I've got one that doesn't float my boat at all that you'd be welcome to. Can't remember the title ATM and I'm about to go off for a few days but I can post for you next week and let you know?

Two things to bear in mind when looking for toned stomachs:

1) Stomach muscle tone - getting your stomach muscles (things like abdominals -the front ones - and obliques - the side ones) into shape. Best and cheapest thing is to get a blow up fitness ball about 65 cm large (from tesco at under £10) and lie on your back and pop your feet over the top, so there is a straight line between your ankles and knees, then a right angle as your thighs go straight down, and then another right angle to your back. IYSWIM?). Then start crunching, making sure to keep your back on the floor otherwise you can hurt it. Keep your chin away from your chest and do small baby ones to warm up, then as far up as you can go for a count of two, then three counts up and one down and finally 7 counts up and one down. For toning your side muscles bring your opposite elbow to knee for similar counts. There are loads of variations on this as well - you can also try lying flat over the ball. 20mins 3 times a week is plenty.

2) Overall body fat percentage - ie how much extra fat you carry around your midriff. Sorry if this sounds rude but I can't think of a more diplomatic way to put it - it's difficult to see fab abs if you are carrying extra weight. Unfortunatly there's only one solution to this?

Thanks all! PFL - might take you up on that if you don't mind?

seraphina - tbh i don't carry a lot of extra weight apart from my tummy and i never carried a lot there before - i reckon it is due to carrying 5 babies to full term - skin stretched rather too much so not totally certain that i will ever see a huge improvement but i would at least like to try. Will try the exersise you suggested tho ?

Hi swamps

Be really careful with doing 'regular' crunches and the like when you've had kids. Quite often the abdominal wall stretches and 'splits' to accommodate the pregnancy and you need to check this has healed before you do regular crunches or you'll end up toning an outy tummy and look forever pregnant!

I only know this as I went to a physio regarding a back problem. She made me like on my back, knees up then do a crunch and hold. If you take your knuckles down the tense bit of your tummy, above your belly button, you may feel a gap (you may be lucky and not feel it in which case get on to the regular crunches!).

She recommended pilates to strengthen the whole core and also to get hold of a DVD with specific post natal stomach exercises which work up the muscles in order to fix the 'problem'.

Hope this makes sense?

Love to you and yours

Bridget

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