push-ups/sit-ups

[widehips]

How many should I do daily for them to be useful? I'm not aiming for a six-pack or bulging biceps or anything, just want to make them look less flabby.

I think I'm a beginner. I can do 10 kneeless push-ups and only 20 knee-used push-ups (at separate times). As for sit-ups, it varies from 20 to 40 depending on my mood.

Also, what other similar exercises that I can do?

 

[Lisa3]

HI there,


I subscribe to a fitness newsletter and they have a new feature called 'Exercise for the day'. It's not coming every day yet...I have received three in the last ten days...but it's a good idea. They recommend you do the one exercise as much and as often as possible on that day. They promise an all-around workout and the three I got so far were relatively easy to follow...he uses dumbells, but you can do the exercises without, especially if you are just starting, or use two soupcans instead

Here's the link in case you are interested to sign up

 

[Fitness Trainer]

Hi,

The first thing to remember when asking this question is the difference between muscle building and fat burning. The first thing people do when they decide to lose a few inches around the midsection is an excess amount of crunches, sit-ups and leg raises.

These are fine muscle building exercises but you must understand a simple concept – Your Body Can Not Spot Reduce.

If I do biceps curls, my arms get bigger, not smaller. The same can be said about abdominal exercises.

I am not recommending that you do not do these exercises. They are actually a very important part of any fat loss program. What you should do is focus on a complete fitness program opposed to giving all your attention to you “problem areas”

A complete fitness program can be broken down into 5 essential categories:

1) Proper Nutrition
2) Proper Aerobic Exercise
3) Proper Resistance Training
4) Proper Flexibility Training
5) Proper Attitude Towards Fitness