Best way to reduce abs measurement

[mybestme]

I have been doing t-tapp on and off. I am having trouble getting my ab measurement to change much though. My waist and hips are going down steadily. I have had four c-sections and my last pregnancy was twins. I have done skin brushing some. I do BWO+ and SATI, but have mostly done BWO+. I do have hit the floor and two, but have done those only a time or two each. I get discouraged because my hips and waist are small enough to put me in a smaller size, but often I can't wear it because of the abs.

[monica213]

best thing to do is STAY CONSISTENT! Other than that here are some things I would suggest


Do OIP/HF daily
Skin Brush Regularly
Do HTF 1 - 2 tiimes a week
Eat GM 5 - 6 days a week
Learn to Curl the core (See desription below)
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.

[eshlemania]

Oh, Mybest me,

What Monica said!!! It really helps you to engage your abs. I have been tapping almost 3 years and was never consistant about OIP (I knew all they said about it too) till this winter. It MAKES a BIG difference. And I have had 4 c-sections also. They can be healed. All the other stuff she said too. Hmmmm, GM 5-6 days a week. Gonna have to do more of that.

Thanks Michelle!!

[gentleshepherd]

Okay, go with what Monica says for sure!

I have had 6 c-sections and my abs are on there way back. I have nine children total and have been overweight for 22 years, basically. I have lost a significant amount of weight, which helps. I still have 'fat' on top of my abs, but my abs are getting soooo strong. It is possible to rebuild them! I love to lie on the floor and engage them and feel how hard they are!;) Weird I know. I even make my dh feel them all the time, I am so proud of them.

I do HTF often and LOVE floor workouts. I don't do OIP as often as I would llike, but when I do it helps. I also do a lot of Lani's 7-second abs and the things in this post has helped a lot!
http://forum.t-tapp.com/showthread.php?t=8651
Like i said, still fat on top of the muscle, but getting there! Keep working on them, they will respond!

[mybestme]

Thanks for the replies!

Michelle, I will try the different ways of curling my core. Maybe one of those will help me to feel it better, although I felt like I've been tucking pretty good. I have a harder time trying to feel the tightening of my stomach. I just started doing OIP a little last week. I plan to make that a daily habit, it just seems that there is so much fat on top that I don't know if it is doing me much good. I am back on track with brushing too. Also, the last time I did HTF, it felt ok while I did it, but later that night my left knee was really hurting. I know I did something wrong, but I'm afraid I will get it wrong again and make more of a problem. It took a coupld of days for the knee to stop hurting. I have not had any problems with my knees in the past. I definitely need some work on the eating habits, but I'm working on that too.

gentleshepherd- I can''t wait until I feel like my abs are "hard". At my very best tightening, they are not even close to hard. But you give me hope that maybe they can be harder anyway. How long have you been working on yours? I have to go check out that thread you posted and see if it helps me.

eshlemania-It is good to hear that OIP has helped you. That gives me more incentive to work on it some more.

Thanks ladies for the suggestions and encouragement. I really want to start to make some progress on this issue.

[BlessedMama]

Hang in there! The belly is my last holdout, too! But consistency helps!

Keep working on the core--it will come!

HUGS!

[Blissful]

I also do a lot of Lani's 7-second abs and the things in this post has helped a lot!
http://forum.t-tapp.com/showthread.php?t=8651


Just read this thread and now I'm curious about this Matthew's Method? Apparently the page is no longer available online. Does anyone know what it involved?

[gentleshepherd]

blissful, I am trying to find it too. I have the pages printed up in a notebook and I am hoping it has the address at the bottom of the page. They really, really helped me!

mybestme, I started about a year ago.

[eshlemania]

Mybestme,
While doing the OIP, when you are actually digging in and pulling muscles into the center. Cough-those will be the ab muscles you are wanting to strengthen-the tranverse abs.

[carist]

Just read this thread and now I'm curious about this Matthew's Method? Apparently the page is no longer available online. Does anyone know what it involved?

Now I'm curious too! I was hoping someone else would have posted them online, now that the web site is down, but I guess not. I think I'll start a thread over in Off Topic and see if someone can pass them along.

[BlessedMama]

I did the Matthews method for awhile, but found OIP, and this thread by Sherry more helpful and easier to keep up with!

http://forum.t-tapp.com/showthread.php?t=4744


I also tried Tupler, but I think Lani's 7 seconds to a flat belly is less mindless and easier to stay consistent!

Sherry's thread above is practically Lani's 7 seconds on the floor! (Which you can do Lani's on the floor, too!)

HTH!

[Julie in IN]

Do you think about pulling your belly button to your spine throughout the day in addition to sitting up straight and lifting your ribs (all day!)?

Every little bit all day long helps and goes a l-o-n-g way! Best wishes!


Oh, one more thought....any chance you have a curve in your spine where you cannot lose? I will never get my waistline 11 or 12 less than my bust and hips and recently I cannot get it a full 10 inches because of my scoliosis.

[Jen82]

Skin brushing, I need to work on that one. It feels like so much of the mooshieness is from loose skin. Bleh. I guess it just seems so unreal that that can change. I know it can but it just doesn't seem like it. I have had it for so long, ever since first baby...

[BlessedMama]

Jen, I can't say my skin is tight, but I am amazed at the constant improvements when I stay consistent on the brushing!

I also need to get back to my salt masks--I really think they help, too!