exercises that will focus on the baby belly?

[nichaleh]

I have some problems doing exercises that involve getting down on the floor (ie crunches) as I have some problems with my back and my pelvis. I am allowed to do any exercise 'that doesn't hurt' according to my doc.
I am looking for exercises that work on the stomach while standing up. I have lost quite a bit of weight so far, (and about 8-10kg to go) but the top half of my stomach, (above the belly button) still hangs over the belly button, and the bottom half is not pretty either! lol.
I was told by a physio that the core muscles that support the pelvis and hold your stomach in have 'switched off' after having my daughter and never turned back on?
Any advice on exercises to target these areas please?

[RunbikeSki]

Originally Posted by nichaleh

I was told by a physio that the core muscles that support the pelvis and hold your stomach in have 'switched off' after having my daughter and never turned back on?
Any advice on exercises to target these areas please?

Huh? Unless you really damaged those core muscle, they are still very much with you. You may just have to work a little harder. Most likely a part of your "problem area" as they like to say, is stretch skin. And that will take a while to recover, but at your age that should happen.

Two suggestions - as you probably know "spot reducing" for fat reduction doesn't really work. While strengthening your core is really, really important for lots of things, aerobic exercise is the key to shedding the layer of fat hiding those core muscles. Walking, running, biking, rumba, step classes, anything that gets your heart rate up for 30 minutes or so (the longer the better - but don't push it if you aren't used to it) will really help you trim down all over - including your tummy.

The second thing is a skin lotion, or some sort of topic lotion that will nourish your skin, to help it regain the elastin. Don't get me wrong, it won't help you lose weight, but it will help the texture and appearance your tummy.

At 55 (almost), I am post menapausal, and skin tone/loss of elastin is one of the problems with weight loss in older women. I have a pretty trim little body these days, but I ain't wearing no bikini any time soon! The tummy may be flat, but the skin hasn't figured that out yet!

[Meggietye]

Hi Nichaleh, I have been in your position..and there is hope! I too can't do regular core work so I took the baby outdoors and walked and walked and walked some more..broken up into as many trips as necessary

I then discovered Jill Johnson who took my poor sick body and transformed my life. I did her tapes (now dvd's!, I am dating myself lol) Her program is called, "Oxycise", and you don't jump around and sweat buckets. I keep going back to her because she is gentle, it takes 15 min, and it works . For people who can't workout on the floor she has her, "Easy Does It" series which you do in a chair/standing. I do 2 dvd's back to back 5 days a week, it is just my routine and I love it. If you google 'Oxycise with Jill Johnson' there is a website with all you will need to know about exercise and oxygen. There are lots of new/old Mom's who have come thru..must be a good reason!

Cheers,

Nancy