ab exercises worth it??? ADVICE PLEASE

[grwnnsxy]

OK, I know the experts say that you need cardio to reduce your waist size because no matter how much you strenghten your abs, if there is fat covering, you wont see results. So I focus on my cardio and do work my abs sporadically (sp?). I do other things to work my core and back, but I rarely get down on the stability ball or do any old fashioned sit ups. the most I will really do is use the ab roller thingy. So my question is, how thin does this "layer of fat covering my abs" have to be before I would see results from doing more core exercises. and am I making a mistake in putting of my core work until I burn some of this excess fat? (my waist size is 32, but my abdomen around my belly button is 37!!!) ADVICE PLEASE

[julirama723]

Re: ab exercises worth it??? ADVICE PLEASE

I think it is a mistake to wait to do toning/strength training. START NOW!! True, you might have a layer of fat covering it (I certainly do!) but what a nice surprise it will be to see tight, toned, lean muscle when that fat melts away! And here's a little secret: the more muscle you have, the MORE FAT YOU BURN. Muscle tissue is active tissue, meaning it burns calories just being there. So the more muscle you gain now, the sooner you will be able to see it on your body. Also, muscle helps to "fill out" the skin, preventing some sagging after fat loss.

There's actually talk that you don't need to do cardio at ALL to lose weight, and there's a book out, called The Cardio-Free Diet that explains it. I haven't read it, but I understand where the author is coming from.

I used to be a cardio fanatic, and was extremely opposed to doing strength training and toning. Finally, some members of this board (ValidRouge and Lyssie) convinced me to give weights a shot. I am SOOOOOOOOO glad I finally listened to them! I started losing inches, ESPECIALLY in my midsection--I used to be incredibly apple-shaped, now I actually have a waist! Not only do I have lean muscles to keep my skin taught, I burn more calories, I have more strength and energy, and for my weight, I can WEAR SMALLER CLOTHES than most people I know.

Also, in the past couple of months I've started doing more crunches and ab work. Not only waist and abdomen are shrinking, but they're stronger and tighter. I might have flab over the top, but if you press on my stomach, the muscles are firm.

So, basically cardio strengthens your heart and burns calories, and it's necessary for all-around physical health. BUT, it's strength training and toning work that builds muscle and burns fat. It's essential to do both.

[grwnnsxy]

Re: ab exercises worth it??? ADVICE PLEASE

I do LOTS of strength training, I really would rather lift than do cardio, i just dont do much ab work

[julirama723]

Re: ab exercises worth it??? ADVICE PLEASE

Cool! Rather than just doing crunches everyday, I think you should do weighted ab work. Do stuff with a medicine ball (I would say 10 pounds, if you do strength training) or even holding free weights. If you're working the abs, I also suggest doing some back work, like hyperextensions, swimmers, etc.

Check out this site--they have great exercises to get you started:

http://www.shapefit.com/training.html

[dreamin2B150]

Re: ab exercises worth it??? ADVICE PLEASE

I used to be a cardio fanatic, and was extremely opposed to doing strength training and toning. Finally, some members of this board (ValidRouge and Lyssie) convinced me to give weights a shot. I am SOOOOOOOOO glad I finally listened to them! I started losing inches, ESPECIALLY in my midsection--I used to be incredibly apple-shaped, now I actually have a waist! Not only do I have lean muscles to keep my skin taught, I burn more calories, I have more strength and energy, and for my weight, I can WEAR SMALLER CLOTHES than most people I know.

Also, in the past couple of months I've started doing more crunches and ab work. Not only waist and abdomen are shrinking, but they're stronger and tighter. I might have flab over the top, but if you press on my stomach, the muscles are firm.

.

Hello. I just started atkins last week. I'm also apple shaped and majority of my weight is in my mid-section. Can you please tell me what type of weight training helped you and what type and how many ab crunches you were doing. Thanks Aimee

[ttdriver]

Re: ab exercises worth it??? ADVICE PLEASE

I totally agree with Julie .. the combination of cardio AND weight training cannot be beat !

I run 4 days a week, 25+ miles, and on my off days, I use my stability ball to do crunches (60 each day), plus I use my bowflex selectTech weights for my arms. I also do pushups on the ball as well. Its amazing how my arms have toned up and my abs are truly a six pack, even at age 51!

You need not invest in expensive equipment .. if you get digital cable, tune in to Cathe Friedrich on FitTV (her show is called Cardio Blast) .. she is absolutely the fitness BOMB.

Betty

[dreamin2B150]

Re: ab exercises worth it??? ADVICE PLEASE

WOW Betty you look AWESOME! I have a treadmill for speed walking but i can only go so fast because it skips. Eventually i will need a new treadmill but for now it will have to do-lol! I started cardio tonight. I did 30 min of tony little gazelle plus 30 crunches. Dh found my hand weights. I have two sets 2lbs and 8 lbs. I'll have to look into fit tv- Thanks for the tips.

[ttdriver]

Re: ab exercises worth it??? ADVICE PLEASE

One more tip about Cathe Friedrich .. her other workouts on FitTV are Core Max (that's one of my favs...)

Thanks for your kind words! It takes a disciplined effort, to be sure! You're off to a super start! Keep it up!

Betty

[dreamin2B150]

Re: ab exercises worth it??? ADVICE PLEASE

One more tip about Cathe Friedrich .. her other workouts on FitTV are Core Max (that's one of my favs...)

Betty

I checked my cable and we dont get fit. tv. Well i 'll continue with the gazelle, crunches and dumbells.