Crunches or Sit-ups?

C

Christy10384

0
I am 20 years old and am getting married in July. My stomach isn't that big, but I do want to lose some fat in that area before I get married. I've heard many things about both sit-ups and crunches and was wondering which one is better to do. I currently do about 40 sit-ups three times a week, as well as using the Roman Chair at the gym, which I can only do a few of. I try to eat healthy, avoiding sweets and fats. Is there anything else I need to do? Thanks!
 
To lose the fat around your midsection you'll have to do just that...lose fat. Doing sit ups and crunches builds muscle. To lose fat, you need a calorie deficit, which is achieved by diet and excercise. Cardiovascular activity (running, jogging) will greatly speed up the process.
 
yes add cardio, keep everything up.
it's good that you're doing a variety of ab exercises, not just crunches or situps.
Don't forget your obliqes.
 
cult_of_love said:
To lose the fat around your midsection you'll have to do just that...lose fat. Doing sit ups and crunches builds muscle. To lose fat, you need a calorie deficit, which is achieved by diet and excercise. Cardiovascular activity (running, jogging) will greatly speed up the process.
Click to expand...

I don't do much running or jogging because of the weather. I know I could go to the gym to use the treadmill, but would riding a stationary bike for cardio work in that area as well? I have one at home, and I've been trying to ride it about 4 times a week for about 20 mintues, but will increase that time soon. One more thing...since sit-ups and crunches build muscle, does that help at all with wanting to lose fat, or is it based merely on calorie intake?
 
yeah building muscles with help raise your metabolism. and you dont neccesarily have to eat less, your excercise which will raise your daily caloric intake, thus you ate less for that day. and of course a stationary bike counts as cardio, unless your not doing it hard enough. try doing the cardio when you wake up in the morning on an empty stomach, so you will burn stored fat. then eat breakfast afterwards.
 
I used to ride my stationary bike in the morning, around 5:15 because I have to get up early for work, but that got to be too early in the morning. I will try to do that again. I just have to make sure I get to bed earlier.
Thanks for the responses. They will definitely help.
 
christy.. what i would do, is take a picture of you're self right now. then work ur ass off for about a week, Eat right, no pop, no candy, no eating at night, and get back on that bike. keep the sit ups up. Then after a week and a half, i bet u, u take another picture, and compare them both, and ull notice a difference. which should be enough motivation to keep you goin. just try it for a week and a half. and dont look at the scale to often, becuase i hate scales. Im loosing fat, but im gaining weight. My pants are so loose now, i wear a 34, now i can fit into my 15 year olds pants, he wears a 32, and those are still a bit loose, and ive been doin this workin out and stuff for about a month now. Just keep it up christy, you may think its hard to keep it up, becuase the results arent instant, but trust me, take a pciture now, and another in a week, or 2. ull see a difference.
 
Thanks Lokonious, thats a great idea. I took a picture of myself last year when I started doing Pilates to slim down my things a little. I had to buy new clothes because they wouldn't fit anymore, but when I looked back at the pictures, for some reason, I don't really see much of a difference. My fiance and his family have told me that they have noticed I lost weight, but I can't seem to see it. But, I will try what you suggested for a week and a half or so and look back at my pictures and see if I notice anything. Its really hard sometimes because of the temptation to eat the sugary type foods, but I have been buying more low fat/low sugar foods, so that will definitely help. I will try my best!
I meant to ask this question at the start of this post. Wihich is better to do, crunches or sit-ups? What are their advantages/disadvantages? I've read so many things lately, and so I just wanted to see what everyone here thought.
 
it depends on what you're goal is.. If you're wanting a 6 pack, you'll have to do multiple ab workouts to get them to show, well all of them that is. They usually work their way down. If you're wanting to slim down, dont really worry to much on crunches or situps. Those just give you muscle. If you think you're stomach already has a decent amount of muscle, just stay on that bike. Thats just my opinion.. I used to do a hell of alot of crunches, and situps.. I did like 250 a day (for wrestling) didnt notice a difference.. My stamina improved, but as for my physical look, nothing changed. Once i started eating right, and doing alot of cardio. i noticed a difference quick. Some people results take longer to acheive. Christy, dont give up though, You can do it seriously, just watch what you eat. Try to stay active throughout the day, becuase i find myself hungry, when im bored.. When im doing something though, food is usually the last thing on my mind.
 
Christy, I hope you don't mind me throwing my 2 cents in as I am new to this site. It sounds like you're on the right track. I too had become lets say a bit over the limit. It bothered me when I had trouble putting my sox on. I wound up on the treadmill and starting off slowly but working myself up to an hour a day. I cut out potato, pasta, chips, soda, white bread and ate more salads and clean protein. I wound up losing 38 pounds and made drastic improvements in only a few months. I used strength training to help lose the weight as muscle needs more calories. You may want to use the heck out of the bike you have and watch your diet. In addition to this you may want to look in to some toning exercises with light weight barbells, 3 lbs and do exercises for arms, legs, shoulders, back, and etc...
You're going to look terrific in your dress on your special day. I'm sure you've probably heard this but please don't let any disappointment ruin your day. Things are going to happen and it's a day to remember, don't let the negatives get in your way.
Congratulations and best of luck to the two of you!
 
Thanks for all the responses! Tomorrow, I will start riding the bike again, for about 20 minutes in the morning. Thats about all the time I have to do it in the morning. I won't be able to do much this weekend, since I will be out of the state, but I will definitely watch what I eat more carefully.
Lokonious: Its hard for me to stay active a lot during the day, mainly because I work and am a college student. It takes quite a bit of my time. The best times for me to exercise are in the mornings. My fiance and I usually go to the gym 3 days a week in the afternoon, and I use the weight machines for both arms and legs.
Wirednut: I started doing Pilates w/ resistance for some toning for my legs, so I mainly focus on my arms at the gym. Hopefully, I might be able to notice some kind of difference within the next couple weeks. I find myself getting disappointed quite a bit, so I thank you all for your encouraging words! I'm new to this site also, and I feel like I can say anything here and there is always someone to help. Thanks!
 
hey christy, I really wish you luck, if you can, hopfully its not to much of a hassle.. Jot down the things that you eat, and ur workout. That way if you're not seeing any improvements, maybe we can help you out. oh, and instead of using weight machines, if youre wanting to loose weight, get on those treadmills girl. those will really get those calories burning. Drink water as well. no pop, or sweets hun. thats all i got for now, i wish u luck christy, let me know about any/all progress you're makn.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top