My tummy muscles are lazy.

[Johnnea]

Day 5: I'm down 5 3/4" ! Although none of that was lost from around my abdomen or hips. I'm going to add half frogs to instructional #1 starting monday (I work 12 hour shifts Sat and Sun). I am a short torso and I have had 2 c-sections. I have absolutely no muscle tone in my mid to lower abdomen at all. When I work out I don't feel like I'm using my muscles in the front of my abdomen. I would think I should really feel it there if I were using them since they have been seriously neglected for 10 years. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[monica213]

Keep the ribs lifted, tummy tight, curl the core and do OIP/HF twice a day. It will take time because of the pregnancies/c-sections... but YOU CAN DO IT!

Teresa calls flattening the lower back "curling the core" due to the fact that many of us have a curve in that area and that’s the center or core of the body. This is a term that Teresa uses to help get Tappers to "tuck their body under" when the lower back (lower lumbar area) has a greater curve. There needs to be a "straighter line" - in other words, not a "sway back". When you tuck your butt, it is more than initiating the move from your butt or tailbone. Applying these tips can really take your workout to the next level.

Curl the Core - On the Floor
If you are a beginner you might want to practice this first on the floor to get the feeling of it. Lie on your back on the floor with your knees to the ceiling, toes forward and heels near your butt, now press your shoulders into the ground, make donut fingers (making a "donut" with your thumb and fingers, then press the thumb into the index finger), then press hands into the floor to help activate the muscles equally. Make a "W" with your arms keeping the hands even with the shoulder, now tuck your butt so that the lower lumbar area touches the floor (with NO air space).

Curl the Core - Standing
When you understand and "feel" this movement then get into the Plie stance and stand in front of a wall. Now press your back and shoulders against the wall. Make sure you press your lower back into the wall so there is no air space. You want to be able to do some Plies in that position, while keeping your shoulder and back (including lower back) pressed against the wall. You can also keep "donut hands" against the wall as well. This helps to engage your lats. Pull your elbows towards the side of your body and keep your hands down to shoulder level. This is the feeling you're working towards when you're tucking your butt.

Curl the Core - Sitting
You could also do this during the day when you're sitting. Make sure to get your shoulders and hips in alignment, then I press your lower back into the chair and tuck butt at the same time. You should feel your stomach muscles engage. This can help shave off inches for your torso and abdominal area.

[GardenGirl639]

It will happen with consistency. :)

[BlessedMama]

Yep! Follow Michelle's tips on curling the core--not just during workouts! Walking, standing, sitting, driving...you WILL find those muscles again! :D

Lani has a great video on her blog about the 7 Seconds to a Flat Belly--very easy to follow and a good one to sneak in!

You'll need to scroll down and the video is on the side. If you click on it it will open the video in a bigger window.

http://thetruthaboutfatlossforwomen.com/

[just7]

Oh yes---Michelle knows her stuff!!! My recti muscle split (diastisis) in my abs is almost closed. I can really "feel" my abs now when I'm tucking and curling the core!

[Blissful]

I agree, it WILL happen and you would be surprised at how curling the core throughout the day really adds up and strengthens that core!

[cozumelblue]

It also helps establish the mind/body connection if you touch or lightly press the area while engaging the muscles.

Try using that technique along with Michelle's great advice to work on progressing the neurokinetic flow to the area.

[pat-nj]

Yep! Follow Michelle's tips on curling the core--not just during workouts! Walking, standing, sitting, driving...you WILL find those muscles again! :D


I love that positive... You WILL ;-)

I think what I am most grateful for, in these mere 5 days of the Challenge and my return to T-Tapp, is that I can feel myself shaking off a longtime sense of defeat... LOL YES I CAN!

Pat

[ChickaBoom]

Oh yes---Michelle knows her stuff!!! My recti muscle split (diastisis) in my abs is almost closed. I can really "feel" my abs now when I'm tucking and curling the core!

Tell me more about this. I was feeling my tummy muscles last night, and noticed that if I crunch a certain way, I can put my fingers through my abs in my middle. I know I did this a few years ago after having a baby, and it was MUCH worse. When I squeeze like I'm about to be punched, I can't feel that split. Is this what you are talking about?

[BlessedMama]

Yes, that's the diastasis recti split that most of us get--especially from our dc!!!!

Getting that closed is important for floorwork. Until my abs were strong enough to keep muscles tight (even though the split wasn't closed), I didn't do a lot of floorwork. OIP/HF are GREAT although even the HF you have to be careful if you can't keep abs activated!

Sounds like you have made great progress closing it! The way I check mine is to lie on the floor, knees bent and feet flat on the floor. I raise my head and shoulders a bit, then feel the abs to see. So my muscles are tight, but maybe not super tight. Mine has closed quite a bit in my 3 years of tapping!