Question:
What exercise can I do to tone my abs, legs and arms?

I am 10 months post op. I walk/jog 3 times a week. Are there other ways to tighten my upper and lower abs. I am 36 and my skin on my abs seem to be pretty resiliant. I have noticed the muscles are weak. Other than sit ups how can I strengthen them. I would also love any advice on exercises to work the thighs and upper arms. I am at my goal weight and now I am focusing on getting my body stronger. Thanks in advance for any help. Tracy    — heartsablaze (posted on October 21, 2008)

October 21, 2008
Leg lifts, side leg lifts, butterfies, weight exercising (sm. weights), DVD's on various toning,and band exercises are all great for those areas.
   — premenewme

October 21, 2008
I do leg lifts while watching t.v. They help with my legs and abdomen. Also try using those stretchy bands (you can get them at Wal-Mart). They will help with whichever part of your body you use them on. Oh, one more thing... get some ankle and/or wrist weights... the resistence also helps with building and toning your muscles. Good Luck
   — pattschiele

October 21, 2008
pilates or yoga will help strengthen and tighten your core.....for thighs and buns.....the Buns of Steel (esp. work out tape IV) work out tapes are killer and do work.....but they are really lame....made in the late 80's to early 90's....they wear leg warmers and sweat bands.....but they work....if you can get past the 80's hair and wardrobe. As for the arms....I am hoping someone will post that. I still have "wings".
   — jamiedaugherty

October 21, 2008
all of those previous ideas are excellent but, to really tighten up your body, you need to start going to a fitness center that has equipment. for legs there is are 2 machines they are called abducter and adducter, they work inner and outter thighs. the leg lift and leg curl machines work quads and the ham strings, then calf lifts for calves and squats for glutes and quads. at home you can try duck walks thats very good for glutes (butt). for the abs- pilates, yoga and lots of cruches. for arms you need to do curls and tricept s you need to fill the void left from the loss of fat with some muscle. then if there is still loose skin, you may need to have surgery to have it removed....good luck all, and congrats on reaching your goal weight.
   — MNI

October 21, 2008
Dear Tracy, Congratulations! I recommend swimming [or even just "the crawl" or dog paddling]. It's fun - you don't even feel like it's exercise. And boy, does it ever tone! Everywhere. They also have aquatic aerobics or "aquacize" classes at a lot of Y's, or private pools, too, I would imagine. Swimming is fabulous & fun. Good luck, Barbara W.
   — oakroom

October 22, 2008
Go on line and order the hip-hop ab videos they are awesome
   — humper

October 22, 2008
Everyone gave away my fav secrets! (not secrets at all) But I will reiterate because I SWEAR it worked for me! After the first year, I was like the whole lot of us with a belly flap complete with chronic rashes under it, arms that could knock me over if I waved them too fast ...I could have made a bra with some tube socks! (rashes under them too) Legs looked horrible! I still dislike my legs though... I began swimming laps and when I was not swimming I was treading water and on the side of the pool doing water resistance on my legs and arms. I would stay in the water for a good hour and never touch the bottom with my feet! On weekends i was there for HOURS....I also did/still do pilates and yoga and I also do Tai Chi (still learning how to do it) A year of this type work out and everything just began to shrink and fill out...I thought I was gaining weight because my jeans were tight in the legs and shirts in the arms...I did gain about 8 lbs back from my initial low over the next year and settledin at 165 where I stayed for years now...and I KNOW that was not what filled the loose skin ...I still have problem areas that probably I am too hard on...My belly is jiggly and a little wrinkly in the baby bearing area...and anywhere there is damaged skin (stretch marks) I wouldn't want to run in a bikini...I definitely might scare young men and children...And I don't hold my arms out and swing my bat wings at anyone...I do have good muscle definition but fatty elbows and knees because the skin is just too loose to hold everything up in place...But I can live with it! After that year of working out hard at the pool and lake where I live...I never imagined I'd ever show people photos of my body so they can see that it can be done. I was 315 lbs! I lost 150 lbs...I was low to mid 200's most of my adult life...My weight rocketed to 315lbs after I quit smoking and thyroid disease too. Swimming uses every muscle in your body, naturally. There is natural resistance and the water is easy on your joints and back...Take some hand weights on your walks...and use them while you walk... (arm cirles and over the head, long swings forward and back and outwards from the side to the sky) THESE REALLY make a nice difference. You just swing them when you get tired... Don't use heavy weights or you won't get too far! LOL Use 1 - 2.5 lbs MAX each weight and work your way up or work it harder each day (can use soup cans even or water bottles for easier grip, (just don;t drink your weights!) ...Be careful the first few days you try this...I over did it and couldn't even lift my arms to take my jacket off for a few days!! LOL So I know it works! My breasts look meaty again too from that and swimming! No more tube sock bubbies. (I lost track of what size my bra was...It was tight at a 44 D) I am a 36 B now I have NO idea where the skin went. Oh and it took a good year to REALLY see results and for my belly flap (rashes and all) to disappear...So give it time and you will see gradual results if you stay loyal to the work outs and don't give up! It's hard work but soooo worth it... and I HATE exercise! I do not do jumping /running/hopping, sweaty exercise...But I will mow the lawn, rake leaves..anything for really exercise because you use so many different muscles in regular everyday chores! (My day job, i renovate houses or refinish them) so I am very active anyway...I am up and down stairs and carry heavy tools and drywall all day long...So I have not needed any formal exercise at the moment! I still stretch and do sit ups and girl push ups (on my knees) while waiting for the shower to warm...
   — .Anita R.

October 22, 2008
check out sparkpeople.com. they have videos on exercises plus nutritional information
   — urbrat2

October 22, 2008
The best thing you can do is work on your core strength. Vdeos or you can get a trainer at a gym. I myself haven't work on my core for years ( hence waiting to get wls) but my husband and I have a trainer for my boys who are athletes and they work on core strenth all the time. There are alot of everyday jane and joe's that work on their core strength you do not have to be a athlete. My boys do work at home with a broom stick. Believe it or not. :0) Look it up on the net and see what you can find good luck .
   — sse032568

October 22, 2008
I know that someone already posted this but "dance" videos are great. It doesn't have to be hip hop, it can be ball room, pole dancing, even salsa dancing. You DO NOT have to go to a gym and pay someone to make you feel terrible about your self.
   — phyllismmay

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