I just recently purchased 3 pilates dvd's...does pilates really give results?  I USED to be really athletic but college really got to me.  I now weigh 125 (which im not complaining about) but my tummy has a little pooch below the belly button area.  Also....know of any good healthy diets?  Nothing TOO extreme...just to cut some of the fat.  Thanks !!!
124966
Yes, pilates is good.  It should help you to tone up.\n\nFor your diet, just try to eat sensibly.  Skip the junk like chips and french fries.  Try to eat lots of veggies and lean meat like chicken or fish.  Watch your serving sizes.
237289
First of all, congratulations! I have recently quit smoking too, and am so proud of myself I haven't stepped on a scale! It is wonderful that you want to take care of your body in so many ways. It is very difficult to quit smoking, and I am so happy that you were able to accomplish such a task. What I reccomend for you is just a healthy, regular diet, and an exercise plan that fits you. Take a walk every day, and breathe in that fresh air, I bet you can smell better now!!! I love pilates, it is amazing for toning your muscles. Just replace fatty foods with fruits and vegetables. Don't drink your calories! Stay away from any sweetened beverages, such as pop and juice. I like yogurt, baby carrots, grapes, etc. because they are so portable. Do what makes you feel good. And congratulations again. Good luck with all that you do.
312861
I had lipo done on my stomach as well as my "love handles" 3 weeks ago and i am so happy with the results... i went to Tijuana Mexico becuase its so inexpensive there and i chose a surgeon who was educated here in the states... i couldnt be happier with the way i look..tell me this though besides the fact that you have had children ( i have 2 myself) how is the elasticity of your skin.. do you have a lot of stretch marks or did your skin bounce back fairly well ? that is what makes the difference becuase after they "suck out the fat cells" it takes a little while for your skin to adjust depending on the elasticity.. anyway feel free to IM or Email me with questions
20981
Pilates or Yoga would be awesome. Both of them are great for burning calories and they are both concentrated on core building. To be honest all of them work just about the same so it doesnt matter who you buy. They all come on different levels, so start on level one and then progress.\n\nYoga and Pilates use the weight of the body as resistance to challenge the muscles to become stronger. Yoga has more standing exercises that develop leg strength as well as balance. Pilates is mostly done lying on your back, on your stomach, on your side and sitting down. That's why I like to do both forms of exercise to have a good blend of standing and mat exercises. \n\nYoga also tends to have more exercises that challenge the upper body (chest, upper back, arms) than Pilates does unless you are doing machine-based Pilates, in which case the springs attached to the machines deliver sufficient resistance to strengthen the upper body muscles.\n\nAerobic or cardiovascular exercise is any exercise that is done continuously for 15 to 60 minutes or more while using the arms and legs in a rhythmic fashion. The goal of aerobic exercise is to increase the amount of blood pumped per beat to improve the efficiency and stamina of the heart, lungs, and blood vessels. Examples are walking, running, swimming, dancing, etc. \n\nIt's not that easy to calculate how many calories you burn in yoga and Pilates since the intensity of the class depends on the kind of exercises being done and the strength level of the class participants.\n\nIn general, a 130-pound person would burn approximately 260 calories an hour for a light to moderate Pilates mat-class and 236 calories for a yoga class. "Intense" Pilates would burn approximately 346 calories while an intense yoga class would burn about 400 calories per hour.\n\nYour weight affects how many calories you burn (the more you weigh, the more calories you burn), so use the following formula to make it more accurate: Divide the number of calories burned by 130 pounds. Multiply the answer by your weight in pounds. \n\nFor example, divide 260 calories by 130 pounds. The answer is 2 calories per pound. Multiply that by 110 pounds. The answer is 220 calories.\n\nNo doubt, Pilates has the most number of exercises that focus on the abs, waist, and trunk. Almost every variation you can think of for the abs is offered in Pilates. If abdominal and waist whittling is what you are looking for, Pilates is the ticket for you. This is not to say that yoga will not strengthen your abs and trunk because it will but Pilates just has much more focus on that area. \n\nI recommend pilates for clients who have been working out for a while and need a change.  I recommend yoga for clients who are overly stressed.  I personally prefer pilates for me, andI even incorporate them into weight workouts.
31897
I just had a c-section myself 3.5 months ago. I've always been tiny and slim until now. I can't seem to lose those last 10 or 15 pounds which are mostly hanging around my belly. I wish I knew the perfect answer but all I can say is crunches and patience.
302158
if you find out can you let me know!!!\n\nSome of us just aren't lucky enough to get back tyhe figure we had before mother hood.\n\nIf your back hurst with sit ups try something like Yoga or pilates it could help tone a little.
136169
At 130, unless you are really really short, you don't really need to diet.  Just do some light weight lifting to tone your arm and leg muscles.  If you can't afford or otherwise don't have access to a gym, just buy some hand/leg weights at walmart ($20 or less probably). Pilates works well too, you can just get a video and make sure to do exactly what it says (most of the ones I have are by Denise Austin).  Carmen Electra has created some seduction exercise dvds, that are based on exotic dancing (my sister said they are good for exercise and ideas) you'll have to search for it online. Also, there are belly dancing exercise videos, i have one and it's a lot more fun than some other workouts plus it directly targets those trouble spots.  You may want to add how much time you have till the cruise to your question.  If it's within a month you're going to have to work out a lot harder than if it is 3 or 4 months away.  If you are capable, running is one of the best ways to tighten your abs, and it's not nearly as anoying as situps.
336078
What you need to do is CORE strength training. THis means, get your self an exercise ball.  Situps aren't going to do much if you've got the lower pooch, crunches will (kind of like a half sit up).  There are many, MANY many, did I mention there were many? books on core strength training.  Usually they are exercises like crunches on the ball, sitting on the ball and 'marching'.  There's other ab exercises you can do.  Kind of like the cow and cat in yoga...except you are laying down.  You lay on your back, and put a hand under your lower back (knees bent) push down onto your hand.  You'll be firing the deep ab muscles.  Do a few sets of 20.  Then, same position but you push your pelvis into the air (it looks really embarassing, so don't do this nude in front of a window).  If you just do good old on the floor situps/crunches, you will hurt your back.  Do the core strenthening and you will get rid of the pooch and also improve posture and the strength of the muscles that support your spine.  It's all a 'corset' of muscles.  If you don't do this...you are in for some big time back problems very soon.  The ab problem is a signal that this corset of muscles is weak...which means you could easily injure your back.
418711
Work out and concentrate on your mid section and lift weights and increase protein consumption some.  When I had my children the OB doc gave me literature about loosing the belly flab and I used it and had flatter stomach than before kids.  Call yours and see if they have some.  Leg lifts seemed especially helpful for me while tucking my butt muscles.  But seriously check with MD that delivered your last baby for exercises.  I'll bet they would mail them to you.
177173
One way of making ur tummy flater is controled sit ups that are SLOW and Steady.Dont go fast,as its quality and not quantity that gets ur tum looking trim.Also,bread and pasta can bloat the tum so if u have a nite out planned try to eat protein and not so many carbs the day b4 the night out. For a permanant trim tummy u cant beat pilates,honest,it lengthens the tummy muscles and strengthens from deep below and not just the top of the muscle.Good luck and remember,curves are the way to go,look at posh spice,she looks hidious!!xx
649142
I would agree with the swimming as it use  all your muscles and has the water for buoyancy, start slowly and as time goes on then build up you will find it will tone and the endorphins will make you feel great.\n\nOther wonderful exercise is walking maybe getting off the bus at a stop before you own then walking to your office,going out on the weekends with friends or a partner walking somewhere this will help keep your bones healthy and is good cardio vascular.\n\nWhat about Pilate's I have become hooked and in a period of six weeks I can see a difference and it works wonders for your stomach!\n\nWhat ever exercise you choose make sure it is one you enjoy as the worse thing is doing it and finding reasons not to continue.If the weight does not shift do not get despondent because it goes on quicker than coming off, just keep going and the results will appear.\n\nOther thought a bike ride in good weather what a great way to move around and keep healthy.\n\nYour eating sounds fine drink loads of water.\n\nJust put your mind to it call it changing your life style and looking after your body for the future.\n\nGood Luck \nYou can do it....
574988
You need to hit the gym babe and you gotta go on daily jogs. Do 100 to 200 situps each night. You should see results. Oh, and it may sound prissy, but Pilates really work too! My stomach got flatter and I formed some abs in about a month of all that and eating right. You're doing great with the eating(make sure your portion size isn't too big). You're half way there!
450879
I did Curves to lose my college 20! And once I started it helped me eat better too! Really, I guarantee this works! Curves works for SO many people, I promise you wouldn't regret it. It's not complicated, it doesn't take up a lot of time, and it's fairly easy! And there are other people you can relate to there and the workout can even be FUN! You have to make it that way for yourself or you'll never lose it. Just go there and try it! I only pay 29$ a month and it is so worth it! You can go work out there for free for one day to see if you like it too! They might even let you try it free for a week! That's what they did with me. You most likely DO have a Curves in your town. They're everywhere nowadays! If that's not proof that it works for people, I don't know what is haha. I think if you join soon as well, then that's about what you'll pay too! I.E. I think there's a special right now is why I said soon :).
68411
I would say try to follow like a Atkins or South Beach type diet. It worked for me...it's the first thing I noticed. I totally can relate, I carry all my weight in my gut..*L* I don't complain about any other body part...my legs are nice, my butt, hips etc....Just this darn belly fat. But I can tell you I know with either the South Beach or for me the Atkins...it will take at least 2 weeks to see some results.. But you also need to exercise and stay active. And with all the hype about Atkins maybe consult a doctor prior to starting any diet programs. Good luck;)
76368
nothing! i have been doing it myself and it's the same as you. don't expect pilates to make you slender. it is for posture, breathing and flexibility. it has long term benefits but they are not so obvious to you. you have to combine it with some weight exercise as well.
413051
My friend had one and i got a loan of it for afew weeks. instant results my rumpa. i  got nothing but lower back pain, which i never had before. and yes i did , read the instructions.  i find regular sit ups,witha flat pillow, tucked under the bum,  just as effective.  as  you can feel your own pace.
667083
From an ER nurse, and someone that has suffered with this as well (lost 60lbs after having 2 babies 360 days appart), once you loose the weight, you can have the fat sucked out, but what about the left over skin?  I had a tummy tuck and that was the only option for me - lots of flab.  My surgeon was great!  I trusted him 100%!  Food for thought.