Favorite ab exercise?

[birdword]

So I had a baby six months ago and I've been walking/jogging with her almost every day to get back in shape so that I can go for long runs by the summer. However, I just can't seem to get my belly back in shape and am sick of my old core routine. I need some fun exercises to help motivate me. Any ideas??

[sapphire_chan]

Lay on your back, hold your legs up with your thighs straight up and your calves parallel to the ground (knees bent!) Then put your baby on your calves and sort of hold her on with your hands as you extend your legs and bring your legs back in.

Another good ab exercise is called a "renegade row" Get into a plank/push-up position with your feet wider than your hips. Now, do a row on one side. If you can do it with a hand weight, awesome. If you can, do a full set on one side then switch, if you can't do it with a weight, switch arms on alternate reps. Baby can lay on your mat and get kisses.

Another fun one is a plank where you walk your feet around. Either do a simple "out out in in" pattern between shoulder width and as wide as is comfortable, or do a semi circle with little side steps. Another good baby kissing exercise.


Do remember that it will also take time for your skin to bounce back, and also if you're generally back in shape except for a poofy belly you should check for diasis recti:
Lay down as to do a crunch, feel for a separation as your shoulders come slightly off the mat. Most instructions for it will tell you to just lift your head, but there's a small separation that happens for most people at that point that will, unlike true diasis, go away as the shoulders come up.

[MsVyky]

I like core exercises with stability balls.

Jackknives are good
http://restorepersonaltraining.com/w...jack_knife.jpg

And clamshell crunches
http://handbagdietclub.com/news/imag...clamcrunch.jpg
(but tuck the ball between your knees)

[425lisamarie]

I do mostly planks and v-ups inbetween lifting sets while at the gym on a bench, which a 12 pound two handled core ball.

Planks are wonderful because you can just do them anywhere. It is very beneficial because you are teaching your abs to contract while steady, not just crunching movements. I spend very little time directly doing any kind of ab "training" and stick with basic lifting, and planks.

[nataliachick7]

Originally Posted by MsVyky

I like core exercises with stability balls.

Jackknives are good
http://restorepersonaltraining.com/w...jack_knife.jpg

And clamshell crunches
http://handbagdietclub.com/news/imag...clamcrunch.jpg
(but tuck the ball between your knees)

holy cow i just tried the jackknives....how the heck do you keep the ball from going side to side? mine was just going all over the place, i wasnt able to do the straight up and down motion.

[rootzdawta]

Originally Posted by 425lisamarie

I do mostly planks and v-ups inbetween lifting sets while at the gym on a bench, which a 12 pound two handled core ball.

Planks are wonderful because you can just do them anywhere. It is very beneficial because you are teaching your abs to contract while steady, not just crunching movements. I spend very little time directly doing any kind of ab "training" and stick with basic lifting, and planks.

Thanks for this! You said it before elsewhere and it's what I've been doing and I'm very happy so far. I hate, hate, hate crunches and sit-ups and all that and read that for some post-partum women, they actually do more harm than good.

[MsVyky]

Originally Posted by nataliachick7

holy cow i just tried the jackknives....how the heck do you keep the ball from going side to side? mine was just going all over the place, i wasnt able to do the straight up and down motion.

That's the trick- you use your entire core- not just abs, but obliques and lower back to keep yourself steady. They're hard, but man are they good. I still can't do the advanced version after a couple years of training:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hTeL7NJoby...+ball+pike.jpg

[425lisamarie]

Originally Posted by rootzdawta

Thanks for this! You said it before elsewhere and it's what I've been doing and I'm very happy so far. I hate, hate, hate crunches and sit-ups and all that and read that for some post-partum women, they actually do more harm than good.

That's awesome. It's so nice to find things that work and you don't dread doing, and actually make you feel good. And yeah, crunches are not a natural motion, when in real life do you ever do anything that mimics a crunch?! It's killer for your back!