Toning it up

Alonda_LaShawn06

Anyone have any suggestions for toning ab region? I don't really want to lose weight just tone up some problem areas. What workout do you ladies do that makes you feel like you get the best results? Have any of you tried a personal trainer?

Currently for me:

Go to gym 3-4 times per week, generally run 30 mins everytime, and vary between lifting weights and trying some classes.

Fotophreak4c

I stopped eating meat and I have lost a ton of weight. I also stopped drinking sodas and I can tell a huge difference in my stomach area. It's amazing how flat your stomach can be without all that bubbly in it.

I run a few time a week for like 15 minutes and I do sit-ups. That seems to help a lot too!  

Cipolla2Be

I for one have never had abs.....    But I know pilates really strengthens your core.  I used the windsor pilates DVD with the "sculpting circle" in college and it really worked.  I just have the "20 minute" DVD workout and the sculpting circle.  Here is the website:

http://www.winsorpilates.com.au/WinsorPilates_AU/Product.aspx?cid=304

 

Milliechel67

I love pilates for core work!

Karen2905

I have never had abs either.  Yay for the ab-free club!  And even when I tried to have abs, they're not defined or in any way sexy.  Le sigh...

ANYWAY, two rules to remember:

1) Remember that you can't pick and choose body parts to focus on if you want to see results.  You're not going to see results if you only do sit ups.  Gotta think whole body.

2) Abs are made in the kitchen.  Watch your carbs. It seems in women that excess carbs, when the carbs turn into fat for storage, they go straight to the hips/butt/stomach.  You'll be benefitted by keeping a lid on them. (But don't go Atkin's crazy...) 

Alonda_LaShawn06

Great advice thanks ladies! I haven't tried pilates yet at the gym so that will be my first stop next week, and I am already down to drinking diet soda only I don't think I can give it up completely but I felt like moving from regular to diet was a big step for me. I will try cutting back on carbs but bread is my MAJOR weakness I just love it! I have been doing things to work whole body so hopefully abs will come in time? I don't feel like I am over-weight I just want a sexy stomach in bikini.. is that too much to ask? haha

krc18

My hubby is a certified personal trainer and the one thing he always tells me when I whine about wanting bikini worthy abs is that cardio is the key! He told me that I can do all the sit up/crunches I want and my abs can be firm and under there, but you won't be able to see them unless you mix in the cardio. What helps for me is circuit training workouts. That way you are burning fat while toning up. I am not trying to lose weight either, just tone up and get in shape but my tummy is always my toughest area to see results in. Once I started doing the curcuit workout he put me on I saw a huge difference. However, I fell off the workout wagon and am now trying all over again to get a bikini stomach by May.

Alonda_LaShawn06

What kind of circuit training workout do you do?

Karen2905

*GASP*

Love the new pic!  Are your eyes a pale green?  They look that way on my monitor.  SO jealous if they are.  

krc18

It was one that he made specifically for me based on what I told him I wanted my body to look like for the wedding. I use my Bosu at home (*LOVE*) and do everything on that. If you have Bosu balls at your gym (and I am sure you do) I highly recommend trying your workout on them because it works every muscle even while you are doing something as simple as dumbell curls. I took a total body tune up class when I belonged to my college gym and thats what made me fall in love with bosu & circuit workouts. You should check into seeing if they have a class like that at your gym. You can also look into Jillian Michaels dvds and stuff. She does all circuit workouts (like her 30 day shred dvd). Even youtube has videos of workout examples. I can email you mine if you'd like, but I am not sure that I could explain each exercise and how to do it.

Alonda_LaShawn06

Karen- thank you, you made my day haha.. yeah me eyes change from a pale green to turquoise

krc- I'll check out the dvd's or youtube i know what you mean its hard enough for me to do the excercises properly much less explain them to someone else...haha I am thinking of hiring a personal trainer for a month just to get me on track and then continue on my own... I am going to give it until the end of this month if I don't start seeing results I think thats what I'll do. Thanks so much.