Stomach Exercises with a Hernia?

Hello, everyone! I am going to post this to a couple of boards because I want a lot of input on this, so if you see this on various boards, that's why. I know that I can't do sit-ups. That's out. I have a hernia and it really hurts when I try to do sit-ups or Pilates. So the question of the day is: what kind of exercises can I do to help with my stomach? I am going to ask my doctor when I go on the 25th, but I want your opinions. I saw a "machine" on QVC or Home Shopping or somewhere that "shocks" your muscles and exercises them for you. Anybody know what I am talking about? Does this thing really work? Any ideas about exercising with a hernia? Thanks in advance for your help! Bev

Hey Bev, Glad you dropped in. Wow, you have been through a lot with your first surgery. It's good to read that you're feeling better and may have your Lap Band in early 2006. I'd love to hear about what your job is, and how you came to live in Japan!! Anyhew.... On to the bad news: there is no such thing as spot reducing. You cannot exercise away your abdominal fat. It simply won't happen. You can tone your muscles, and even build muscle, but the only way to get rid of abdominal fat is to burn it off. Exercise and diet will cause you to lose weight (and the lap band) and as your weight falls, the fat from your abdomen will also melt away. Don't buy anything that shocks your muscles: it won't do a thing except shock your muscles!!! Sit ups are out, for someone with a hernia. So assisted crunches (lying on that bench that has handles so when you sit up, you are using your arms to help you sit up--will stregnthen your abdominal muscles, but it will not burn fat around your abdomen. The best exercises to do for your abdomen--to stregnthen and tone, are stablization exercises---basically, when you are walking, biking, or whatever cardio exercise, you keep your back straight, and use your abdominal muscles to keep you sitting up straight for perfect form. Trust me, if you sit up straight all the time--or even most of the time--you will by default, work you abdominal muscles. If you're asking how to lose weight in your stomach, the answer is: Cardio, cardio, cardio!!! The more calories you burn, the more fat your burn. The more fat you burn, the more stored fat from the abdomen is burned. No shortcuts, unfortunately. 45 to 60 minutes of cardio a day; 5-7 days a week. You've already got the portion control thing going on, so it's now time to figure out an exercise plan that will keep your heart rate up for at least 20 minutes, while your body burns available carbohydrates as fuel. Then, for each minute you exercise after that initial 20 minutes, your body converts to burning fat for energy: stored fat that is!! So, bottom line is, the longer you excercise after 20 minutes, the more fat your body has to give up as energy. I hope this helps in some way. Best of luck and come back and let us know how you're doing. Jessica, RN

Hello! I often lurk here and read your posts. I am so glad you answered! This is extremely good information and the kind of ideas I was looking for. I will definitely start on the posture idea immediately (I am trying to sit up straight as I type even now). I also was only exercising 3 times a week, so I will increase that to 5 days and then try to increase to 7 (one step at a time!). I am teaching English in Japan. I work for a company called NOVA which teaches several languages (Spanish, German, Italian, to name a few). I have been here since June and plan on coming back to America in June of 2006. Man, my back is hurting rom sitting up straight! Thanks again, Bev