is there a problem if i left ab crunches in the middle???
967033
Reducing them will be OK. You will be able to maintain your hard work, just watch your carbohydrate intake.
512410
doing the sit ups may actually be causing the muscles to build up behind your stomach and cause it to look fat\n\ntry walking, bike riding, swimming, aerobics, pilates or the rowing machine previously mentioned (a combination of all of these would be great!) \n\nhave fun with it- and even if your body isn't perfect- who cares!?!? you are who you are on the inside- not the outside!\n\nsusan
149408
Absolutely, positively, without a doubt NONE!!!  Save your money and stay away from any and all AB machines if your interested in showing off a six pack.  \n\nFor the upper abs, focus on crunches which effectively work the abdominals better than sit-ups or any machine on the market.\n\nFor the lower abs, keep in mind there is very little muscle tissue there so decreasing levels of body fat is the most effective way to bring out the best in this area.\n\nRegarding exercises for the lower abs, you need to try and disengage your hip flexors (psoas muscles) as much as possible so that they don't override any efforts to contract your abs. That's why it's very important to never anchor your feet under any fixed device when doing situps. \n\nHanging leg raises, v-situps and reverse curls are among some of the best exercise for this region.\nAlways make sure your pelvis curls up to maximize lower abdominal contraction during these exercises.\n\nHere's a link with a complete list of ab exercises:\nhttp://www.preventdisease.com/fitness/Strength_Exercises_abdominals.html\n\nAlso here's a tool to help you evaluate your stength in this region compared to the population average (note: only anchor your feet for testing purposes only and not during your workouts)\n\nhttp://www.preventdisease.com/healthtools/articles/sit-up_test.html\n\nI would advise to seek the advice of a personal trainer for proper execution and intensity.
47624
I think it depends what kind of hysterectomy you have if they even cut muscle.  And I don't even know that they do anywhich way.  I had a laparoscopic-assisted vaginal hysterectomy, in which they make small abdominal incisions in which to insert little tiny cameras to guide their work, and I asked my doctor if my stomach muscle would be impacted.  He said they actually go in between the "six pack" muscles.  They may do that regardless of whether it's laparoscopic or total abdominal... i don't know.
206827
Don't worry, it will happen on it's own- the hip part- it will be a lot of work to keep a small waist. \nThen you'll be asking "How do I work my abs and get rid of my hips?"\n\nJust try to be happy in your body.
958820
If you are parylezed from the legs down. I mean there are probably ways. You could build your upper body, and crunches. But with your legs. I can say maybe for your legs. There are probably ways you can suspend your legs. But ask the doctor maybe for some advice.
650957
1) slow down your reps\n2) lower the reps and up the weight\n3) watch your form and be sure you are isolating the   muscles properly with your movements\n3) break up the crunches into MAX sets of 20 or 30, and vary the type of ab work you do (just straight crunches don't target enough)
79729
Sit-ups mess with your back and are unnecessary.  Crunches, forward and to both sides, are going to concentrate only on those muscles.  As you get stronger hang from you knees on a bar and do crunches that way.  The more you do the more you can do.  When It's burning it's working.  If you don't have  a lot of fat over those muscles you'll be there in a few weeks, or even less.  Once you reach the burn get to where you like it.  It's sort of an addiction.  At first it's a bad feeling but then you start craving it.  But you need that to get a real solid six pack.
227809
try lifting your legs into the air when you do crunches.
341383
give it time it will go...it's mostley fluid but make sure you don't eat too much. It's not so much the situps and ab workouts you do because that will tone your muscles and get them into shape. It's how much fat that's on the outside so just watch your weight and give it time and your tummy will go down :)
1137665
i think what your talking about is obliques. its not your abs thats in the middle. when you have fat their you call them love handles
620509
Start with 20 crunches lifting your legs at a 90 degree angle for your lower stomach. Lift your legs above the ground and keep them there while you do crunches for the upper portion of your abs. Do side cruches for a slimmer waist. And finally cross one leg over the other and do crunches connecting your left elbow to your right knee. crunch first then connect elbow to knee. Continue to add crunches the more you get use to it. HAVE FUN! :)
138179
Problem is that you won't see a six pack unless there is actually one there, no matter how much fat you burn.\n\nIs your stomach flat, but no muscle? Sorry to say, but that means your have to do crunches (be sure to include other ab work, so you are toning all of your abs -- try pilates - works great!)\n\nA LOT of people are just built to carry around a little extra weight in their belly; again, crunches/ab work, along with losing general body, will help you to tone up your stomach.\n\nYour didn't say if you were overweght or not, but please bear in mind, even the skinnest people tend to have their "problem areas." Eat healthy, exercise (cardio and muscle traning), will allow you to have a "nice", (not perfect) figure.\n\n(It is nearly impossiable to get that "hard core" defination you see on TV -- if you want that, you should invest in some personal trainer sessions, and plan to spend long hours daily working toward that goal.)
261869
Your ab muscles are no different than the other muscles in your body. They need time to recover from exercise. For maximum results, don't work them everyday. Every other day is best.\n\nIf you are trying to get your "six-pack", crunches are not the way to go. Everyone has a six-pack, but for most people, a layer of fat covers it. Even though you have a flat stomach, you probably still have just enough body fat to cover them up. It is important to eat properly and exercise to burn this fat.
275933
Weird, I just heard the same exact story on the Tyra Banks show today...lady had the same problem and from what they said exercises and crunches and all that won't work only way is to have the surgery, it sucks and I'm sorry about this, God bless
801489
The key to 6-pack abs is to have a low percentage of bodyfat. Ab exercises in fact contribute very little to having a tight midsection. However, some ab work is great for overall fitness and back support and I don't want to downplay the importance of core strength. \n\nMany trainers look down on crunches these days, considering them not much more than an isometric exercise. Various types of leg and knee lifts are probably a better choice.
647630
Doing crunches tightens the muscles in the stomach, but no matter how tight those muscles are, if there is a layer of "fat" over it (and I'm not saying your fat, we all have it...) then your stomach won't look "tight." So the best thing to do is cut down on carbs and fried foods, combined with crunches. You really don't have to do thousands of crunches to get a great stomach - just do crunches and cut down on fattening foods, fried foods, and unfortunately (the hardest for me) beer...