I work out on the weight machines 3 x a week and I have a question about abs. My waistline hasn't budged even 1/4" but below my waistline, the fat is getting very mushy and there is less of it. But the problem is the waist and above. There it is feeling much harder. I feel like the muscle is building under the fat and that instead of getting smaller, it's getting bigger.

Should I lay off the ab machines a while and let that muscle settle and let the fat there get mushy too? If I didn't work those muscles so much maybe I would see a change in the waistline.

I do a few exercises for abs, but I know the ab crunch machine is now set at 75lbs--which to most of you isn't that much but to an out of shape middle ager, it feels like alot.

Thanks

Carol

Those weighted ab machines are not really effective. Try reverse crunches mixed in with regular crunches. Does your gym have any ab classes or pilates? Sounds like you could benefit from some core muscle strengthening. Even a good yoga class will do.

At home, I have found that using an ab roller really targets my core stomach and lower back muscles, but you need to start fairly slow with one of those. People have hrut their back rolling out too far at first!


-Shelly

I have a knee replacement and I can't get on my knees. In fact, I haven't been on the floor for at least 4 years. I don't know if I could even get down, but I'm sure that once I was on the floor, I couldn't get back up. So pilates is out too.

It's a bummer, but the knee just doesn't bend far enough and the strength isn't the same.

Well, I would definitely stick with the reverse crunches if you can't do Yoga/Pilates. A good way to work your lower abs is to sit on the edge of a chair, support yourself with your arms, and extend and bend your knees up towards your chest. Then do sets to the left and to the right. There are also exercises you can do on an exercise ball that are fantastic for your lower abs and core muscles.


-Shelly

I remember doing those chair exercises years ago. They were definately killers. Then my abs were tight and I was very slim.

I'll give that a try.

Carol