Spare Tire- no crunches?

Betsy - posted on 03/06/2010

Hi Janelle!
Let me sugest Advocare's Catalyst. It's like Lipo in a bottle!! Esp. if you are starting up a workout routine. With this product you'll see results more quickly!
Mom of 2!
Betsy

Rosa - posted on 02/23/2010

Cardio is the answer, but its easy to think that cardio means "make your heart beat as fast as possible". The key to fat burning is keeping your hr in the fat burning zone, typically 130-155 bpm. Going over just burns carbs and wears you out. That's what I do 5 days a week for 45 minutes on the treadmill. You can burn around 350 cal in that time using inclines of 4-6%. Here are some ideas I've learned from: http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/c...

Tiffany - posted on 02/10/2010

yes it is so true! You can do all the crunches in the world but you will not loose that fat unless you burn it off with a good diet and cardio. Good luck!

Jacque - posted on 02/09/2010

Janelle, What do you drink? I know it may sound silly but I would love to know?? Jacque

Emily - posted on 12/14/2009

hello, im a qualified gym instructor, and half way thru my personal training certificate.. and YES!!!!! this is VERY TRUE! You can pretty much do away with crunches all together, because they are not serving you any sort of functional use. If you want to target and strengthen your ab MUSCLES your best bet is "the plank" or "hover". but to get rid of the "fat" cardio is key! unfortunatley it is impossible to spot reduce, but doing cardio will help shift fat. You also want to keep an eye on your diet and ensure your not eating foods high in saturated fats! good luck, drop me a line if you need any more help! or if i didnt explian right?? its midnight here.. haha.. im hooked on this thing.

Kimberly - posted on 11/14/2009

Hmmm...when I was doing ONLY cardio, I was thin, but I was flabby...had love handles, jiggly thighs, fat on my stomach. Once I started weight training, not light weight though, you need to lift heavy, my love handles went away, my thighs are getting firm, I can feel muscles in my butt I didn't know I had, my arms are tight and don't have that flab on them anymore and I have a six pack. Doing just cardio kept me thin but I definitely didn't have a tight firm body. I do weight training now 6x a week and do cardio 3x a week for less than 30 minutes and I look waaaaaaay better than I did when I was doing ONLY cardio. But that's what works for me...

Ena - posted on 08/04/2009

Definetly cardio but the crunches too!!!!!!!! Both can only make it better, it wont do u any bad!

Tina - posted on 07/17/2009

I feel for you. I have tried doing the abs crunch thing that has resistance to it and it helps a little but I haven't found anything else. Wait I also have used the ball to help do crunches that way I am not on the floor completely. It works.
But myself I have a the whole extra thing going and can't get it to go any where anymore. Well with the stuff I was doing. I think its the age change of shape thing. I am almost 40 and it won't go, that and I need better support.

Melissa - posted on 06/26/2009

Quoting Janelle:

I have had a hard time keeping the motivation as well. I would love to keep up progress with you Della! Let me know how you're doing.

Would love to join you and Della if you are up for it? Any extra motivation would really help!

Kate - posted on 04/12/2009

I love pilates for midsection/core. I do a class once a week and I feel a burn that lasts sometimes a couple days, so I know it is working! I have used pilates videos as well and they are awesome. Pretty much every pilates move helps you strengthen your core. Good luck!

Sam - posted on 03/25/2009

Yes, you have the best tool in your house, convientent and you do not have to worry about a daycare for the kids. walking is the best way to lose weight, i have always been told that a 20 to 30 minute walk every day works the best.  i too am working on losing those extra that my kids gave to me, best of luck to you, keep us posted

Annie - posted on 03/20/2009

my son is 6 mo and i'm still nursing.. alternating with formula... and let me tell you... i've really started watching what i'm eating, and have been exercising (running/at home videos) like every other, or every other other day, and i have been losing a little bit of weight..like about a pound a week. i'm not working out hard by any means, in fact, sometimes i don't work out for a few days... but i think just the change in eating has made a difference. i just eat more fruit/veggies, less processed, sugar, etc.... so definately pair eating healthy with exercising, and i know you'll see steady progress!!! just don't starve yourself... if you're still nursing you have to eat healthy, and eat enough!!! just don't eat lots of junk ... all the fun stuff. :) i'm confident that as soon as i start kicking up my workouts and getting consistant with them, i'll lose what i want. but don't forget... strength train to build the muscles!!!!

Janelle - posted on 03/20/2009

I have had a hard time keeping the motivation as well. I would love to keep up progress with you Della! Let me know how you're doing.

Della - posted on 03/18/2009

Quoting Anna:

There has to be a better way to target the abs than just cardio!!! I need to get rid of this jelly belly asap.  summer is almost here!!!

Are you really against cardio or is it the treadmill?  Because cardio, as you may already know, is simply activity... tennis, basketball, tennis, swimming, aerobics, etc. ... all the wonderful activities of the best seasons. 

Medications seem so simple but ... they don't interest me.

Della - posted on 03/18/2009

Thanks for this post.  I do know cardio to be the best way to lose bodyfat.  So, as many others have said... good investment in deed.  I am interested in knowing how you are progressing. 

My son is 12 and I STILL have my baby weight (how embarassing to say).  I have a treadmill but lose my motivation sometimes b/c the pounds (spare-tire) aren't beind shed as fast as I would like.  I'll be glad to work out with you.  (cyberly, if that's a word)  Or just keep in touch and compare our progress.  Best wishes to you in your journal to a pre-birth bod!!!  This is my year for the body I know I can have.

Anna - posted on 02/19/2009

There has to be a better way to target the abs than just cardio!!! I need to get rid of this jelly belly asap.  summer is almost here!!!

Taryn - posted on 02/19/2009

Hi Janelle,  have you heard of Beachbody? They've created a ton of at home video's and they absolutely transformed my figure after my 2nd baby.  I thought I was to never see my stomach muscles again or have time to get back into any sort of decent shape.  Now I feel I"m in great shape, have more strength, endurance and TIME!  The beauty of them is, you can do them in your own home, require very little equipment and guarantee you results! 

I'd be happy to share more with you and my experience.  They are phenomenal and have something for everyone.  Feel free to check out www.choose2befit.com and search the products to get a feel.

Best of luck!  Let me know if I can help you.

Taryn

Janelle - posted on 02/18/2009

Thanks for all the advice. I haven't done jumping jacks and such since elementary school, so I wouldn't have thought of that.

Annie - posted on 02/18/2009

one more thing, if you want a home dvd... i have used cindy crawford's the next challenge over the years, and it always is a great workout. it sounds like it'd be cheesy or something, but it really is a great workout using lots of exercises that use the whole body...therefore getting cardio/toning at the same time. i'm sure you can find it for like 5 bucks, it came out like 15 years ago!

Merav - posted on 02/17/2009

I totally agree! I'm another huge fan of cardio. After my second baby, I HAD to try something totally different to get myself back into shape. I found this amazing cardio class taught by a british master trainer, and was simply transformed!  His workout is most similar to a cardio kickboxing - it is based on all the simple solid elements, as you have described, like jumping jacks, which serve as a foundation. On top of that, he introduces "focus moves" which target specific body areas. Every focus move involves the abs in one way or another, and often includes twists which do miracles to obliques, waist, back, those lovely love handles.... This guy is so experienced and his routines are so smooth-flowing and energizing that you just feel great after the workout.  After a while, you suddenly realize that your body has changed! My abs are firm for the first time in my life. I don't do crunches anymore. You have to try this workout! You can find it online at http://dothemod.com. 

Annie - posted on 02/16/2009

hey! i think the treadmill is a great great purchase... cardio is so important. from my experiences with my own body, i've found that i have to do strength training in addition to cardio... even when i ran i didn't have the belly that i had once i started adding strength training. i found the best stuff is the old-school stuff from gym class as a kid... pushups, situps, pullups, moutain-climbers, bear-crawls, jumping jacks, etc.... things that use the weight of your body and your entire body to do the exercise. i found this was the only way to see definition in my tummy... cardio definately burns the fat but you have to get muscle tone in there too... and another thing about the gym-style exercises... they keep your heart rate up so you're doing your cardio all at the same time. hope this helps!!

Janelle - posted on 02/04/2009

Thanks! I'm going to keep on walking!

Dani - posted on 02/04/2009

I am a firm believer in cardio - and I have heard the same thing over and over again as well. Cardio will help you lose those inches and having the treadmill at your house will make it so convenient. Walking is one of the easiest ways to exercise and lose weight. Good luck!