Hi there!

I am looking for some advice on good AB exercises that can be done in the home for women who recently had babies. I gave birth 14 months ago and although my tummy has shrunk considerabley- it is not back to normal. I also have some friends who are a few months post pardum that complain of "still looking 4 months pregnant." The lower abs seem to be particularly difficult to get back into shape.

A plastic surgeon told my friend that women who give birth will never be able to have a tight stomach again and that she should get a tummy tuck. I told her that he was probably wrong. What do you think?

thanks in advance..

Nora

I think the surgeon wants to make a fast buck on a tummy tuck.

Ab crunches and bent knee leg raises can be done in the home without equipment.

The trick to crunches and leg raises is to concentrate on doing them correctly. Go slow, hold each one and really concentrate on the ab muscles as you contract them.

Most people use their arms or back to do most of the work which is why you don't feel the burn in the ab muscles. If you feel the burn you are working those abs

look seriously into pilates, the exercises focus on forming a "girdle" of muscle in the core of your body and really tighten abdominals. The exercises flatten and strengthen the abdominals, rather than build the muscles out. It takes time to see results, like any other exercise, but they've given me faster resuts than anything else I've tried. I've not been pregnant yet, but I've had a large portion of 40 lbs that isn't there anymore concentrated on my waist. If you don't want to go to classes, find a detailed book, but look through several before you buy. Dry brushing is good for loose skin.

Meg