i'm going to start on an "elimination diet" in a few weeks to help determine food allergies/sensitivities. i'll be eating strictly whole foods. considering i don't eat very well ( :confused4: ) i'll probably lose some weight. i've had a little extra weight around my midsection for a couple years and if/when i lose weight i don't want any risk of saggy skin. besides crunches, what kind of exercises should i keep up with to help build up a little muscle while losing weight. i've heard that's one way to help prevent too much sagging. i also need to work on my buns and thighs. thanks so much!!
tone it up while losing weight.
- Thread starter MaLadyness
- Start date
Crunches and sit ups are your absolute best bet. But if you'd like to work all of the stomch, thighs and butt at once you can get a weight of some sort (keggel bell is best since it has a handle) start with your legs spread apart about shoulder width and it dangling between your legs, squat down and stand straight back up, when you stand back up swing the bell back over your head (make sure not to let go) then as your squat agian, bring it back down between your legs. this will work everything and will be the most effective for what you're trying to do
Core exercises overall would be better than just situps and crunches. Try Russian twists for a good midsection workout. (Sit down with a medicine ball in hand and twist from side to side, touching the ball to the ground. You can do it sitting on a bosu ball as well.) Plank is also a great core workout as well. And yes, squats (or even deadlifts) are great for targeting multiple parts of your body at once.
Trainergirl: I think you meant "kettle bells".
Trainergirl: I think you meant "kettle bells".
Lol. Yeah, thank you. I did it on my phone and just realized it autocorrected it.
Squat, deadlift, press and pull. Rinse and repeat. So long as your diet is geared towards weight loss, you will lose fat and build muscle mass at a proportionate rate, creating the "toned" look (note: toned just means the presence of muscle mass with a low enough bodyfat to see the shape of the muscles and some definition).
crunches/situps
Standard crunches and sit ups are old fashioned and stressful on your lower back. Try extending one of your legs when you do them and alternating sides. It seems like this would not target the center of your abs but it does just as well as a regular crunch and you can do more reps and add a light dumbell if they are too easy. This way you can enjoy the workout, target your abs, and your back will not hurt.
Also try a rocky solo with a medicine ball or dumbbell: sit down on the floor or a mat, slowly pick up the weight in your hands and turn to place it behind your back. Turn back the other way and pick it up behind you, bringing the weight in front and back behind you. Repeat and switch directions often.
Standard crunches and sit ups are old fashioned and stressful on your lower back. Try extending one of your legs when you do them and alternating sides. It seems like this would not target the center of your abs but it does just as well as a regular crunch and you can do more reps and add a light dumbell if they are too easy. This way you can enjoy the workout, target your abs, and your back will not hurt.
Also try a rocky solo with a medicine ball or dumbbell: sit down on the floor or a mat, slowly pick up the weight in your hands and turn to place it behind your back. Turn back the other way and pick it up behind you, bringing the weight in front and back behind you. Repeat and switch directions often.
For buns and thighs get a stability or swiss ball, place it between a wall and your lower back, then squat down, letting your upper back lean against the ball as it rolls up, using it for support as you lift your body with your hips(relax the knees and don't let them turn in make sure your back is straight and your feet are shoulder width or wider).
thank you, everyone, for the awesome suggestions!!!! i appreciate it! i'm kinda clueless sometimes when it comes to what exercises to do....