The Imperfect Community

becky2005 · Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 10:59 am Post subject:

Ok...I fixed it! I just cropped the pic, then added it to Michael's birthday ticker...then I started crapping my pants because my baby can't really be 10 months old tomorrow!

I've got a ball and I love it! It is awesome for the abs. Not that I've used it since giving birth, but it really is fun. Just using the ball instead of a regular desk chair will work your core while you type away.

I'm so glad everyone is doing well. DCH...did you really lose 4 pounds! Way to go. headbang

Petulant Pixie · Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 11:16 am Post subject:

Jessica, you should leave your feet free when you're doing any ab exercises, otherwise, if you have something holding your feet in place you aren't really working your abs, your back is doing most of the work. If you can't do a situp without your feet flying up in the air (Katie can't!), then start slower, doing the pelvic tilts and mini-crunches and then have something stabalize your feet when you do full crunches but do them s-l-o-w-l-y and really focus on having your abs do the work, until you can do them without having your feet held.

We used the exercise balls in karate for all sorts of things. I dunno, I didn't much like them.

julymom · Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2006 9:12 am Post subject:

Jess, I do several different crunch positions. One that has done the most good is to lie flat with your feet straight out. Then cross one foot over and touch the heel on the toe of the opposite foot. As you come up, lift your top foot up about 1 foot and put it back down when you lie back. You'l really feel it. To work your obliques, get in standard crunch position, then drop your knees to one side (about a foot off the ground) and crunch. Do the other side. To work your lower abs, lie on your back with your legs straight up and out to a V (hands flat under your bum). As you crunch up, bring your legs in and cross one foot in front of the other. Open them as you lie back, and alternate your feet as you crunch. Do a min of 20-55 reps of each. If you do it every day, you'll see results in about 2 weeks. I did!

Sewingsiren · Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2006 9:29 am Post subject:

I do yoga and pilates about 3/4 times a week at the Y, unfortunately my stomache still isn't flat. I think having a baby after age 40 destroyed my upper abs Crying or Very sad

. What I would like to have again is a freakishly small waist, but that hasn't happened either. I am stronger though. Smile

PS I love using the exercise ball, I don't have one at home cause I know the kids would fight over it and I would never get to use it.

julymom · Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2006 8:01 pm Post subject: