Question:
What kind of stomach exercises can I do without doing a situp?

I am 7 weeks post op. I want to work on my stomach and my "butt" ( mid area) what are some good exercises to do? Please help!    — Jennifer L. (posted on September 2, 2001)

September 2, 2001
The July/ August issue of HEALTH,had three good ab exercises in it. THe first was a standing stabilizer,the second a foot push and the third a reverse rotation. You can probably check this out at your library or check on line at,health.com. I have not checked out their web address but I think that is it . You can email the editor at [email protected]. The article was good in pointing out the myths we have all come to believe as truths where exercise is concerned. Good luck.
   — kathleen S.

September 2, 2001
What about crunches? When I do them I lay on the floor, bend my upper leg (so it is at a right angle to my body) and rest my calves on a chair or my bed or something (which makes a right angle to my upper leg)? Do you get the position? Well then you only have to lift up a tiny bit to feel the crunch. I've done just 25 a day for a week or so and it's done great things for me, especially because I have lower back problems (who doesn't?). Some people do crunches and they look like situps, but I don't like to strain my neck. I saw the technique I just explained on TV once and I've used it ever since. Also, once you become very adept at doing crunches, you can even do them standing up (really!). My friend is a pro at it, but it does take some practice. Other than that, if you're going to be working on building any muscle, be sure to do some flexibility training too (there used to be some good exercises listed at Onhealth.com, but they got swallowed up by Webmd.com). Have you ever just taken half and hour on a lazy sunday and stretched every major muscle group? It has an amazingly relaxing after-effect and you'll get addicted, I swear. Its especially important to maintain flexibility while toning because sometimes muscle can leave you especially inflexible (ever seen those body building types? They look so immoble that I wonder if they could turn their necks fast enough to watch a tennis match, lol). Well that's my two cents! Crunches with your legs up (and as you get good at this, you can hold a weight over your stomach to make it more of a workout) and felxibility training. Good luck!! :)
   — [Anonymous]

September 4, 2001
hey i was just watching a show on swimsuit styles, of course all skinny women, but then they showed excercises for abs you can do in the pool, that are very low impact, but still get the job done. First you have to go buy a noodle, its like a styrofoam floaty thing that looks like a long noodle. you put it behind you wrapyour arms around it and draw your knees up to your chest while floating. this would be very good for anyone who has trouble laying on hard surfaces or strains when they try situps or crunches.
   — Bethany M.

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