Exercise for Dummies please?

[Jasmain]

I was wondering if anyone out there has had a surgery where they had to cut through all your stomach muscles and can tell me if there are any good exercises, or the best way to do situps if you don't have much strength in those muscles. I had surgery about 1 year and a half ago, still don't have all the feeling back around the incision area (bikini cut through all muscles) and very weak muscles there now, and even though I am basically healed, I'm still worried about hurting myself.

Thank you!

[ttdriver]

Re: Exercise for Dummies please?

Well, I've had .. let's see .. one, two, three, four major surgeries on my stomach in the past 30 years .. I've had 1 baby (gained 48 pounds with her), and I'm nearly 50 years old .. so yeah, I've been there .. I had ALOT of flab in my stomach and weak muscles for sure!

But yanno what? I got me a six-pack now!! EXERCISE, and I mean RIGOROUS exercise has done wonders for me. I started out walking/power walking which REALLY got my fat cells shrinkin'!! Now, I run regularly (30-35 miles a week) and that is THE BEST exercise for the stomach and core muscles, IMO. I also use an exercise ball REGULARLY for abs and lower back (runners need strong mid-sections!!)

All this to say: IF I CAN DO IT, YOU CAN DO IT!

Betty

[2big4mysize]

Re: Exercise for Dummies please?

if your surgeon did the job right you should be fine and all you need to do is get started.

start with say 10 of each for a week and then up it by 5 and see if you are sore the next day if not then you could go 10 more for the week. Make sure you are working all the ab muscles crunches work part trip sitting up and lifting your knees to your your chest or as high as you can as another exercise and if you don't have the obliques machine in the gym avail you can do side pushups to work them. lay on your side and keeping your arm flat lift your hips upwards until just your shoulder and knee (to start with ankle as you get better) are touching lower and repeat.

As they tell you in the gym it is very hard to overwork abdominals.

[dreamof145]

Re: Exercise for Dummies please?

I had my stomach muscles cut with hysterectomy and tummy tuck in August. I started out walking and doing some light stretches. The past month and half, I've used my ball to do situps and some other stretching stomach exercises. If it hurts, I stop. But lately it hasn't hurt, so I think those muscles are healing good. I am still numb there with a tingly sensation...but doctor said that is normal until the nerves heal up all the way.

[Jasmain]

Re: Exercise for Dummies please?

Thank you everyone! Those are some terrific ideas and I guess I'm ready to get to moving! I find it extremely hard to get motivated. I hate the part of getting old where your body requires work to look good! Thank you all so much for your great ideas and the support!

[2big4mysize]

Re: Exercise for Dummies please?

convert your clothes rack back into your Gazelle and you can do abs in it too.