What would you recommend?

[StaceyJ]

I have looked around the internet at various sites for exercises that work the abs; all I basically can find is situps. Can anyone recommend an exercise or exercises besides situps that work the abdominal area that I can do at home? Also, for my flabby arms! Thanks! All replies will be appreciated!

[mrbean]

Do this exercise any time you want: Suck in your belly button and squeeze your butt as if you're pulling up tight jeans. It helps with posture and strengthens your abdominals.

Exercise Videos; Beggining, Intermediate, and Advanced Core Training
Done without equipment. Follow the links to download onto your computor.
http://www.oprah.com/tows/pastshows/...061102_b.jhtml

[Missy]

Your abs pretty much get worked all the time doing basic daily movements eg) bending down to pick something up...crunches won't do anything but tone the muscle underneath the fat. You can do 1000's of situps and it won't do anything if you aren't on a good cardio program. Cardio is the only thing that will burn the fat off and away from the area...also you can't spot reduce specific areas. Fat comes off the body where ever the body chooses...usually the stomach is the last to go. It's good to tone up the muscles underneath, but to get rid of the fat in front, you need cardio.

As for flabby arms...incorporate working your triceps & biceps...I've pulled a site for some tricep ideas
http://exercise.about.com/cs/weightl...mpletricep.htm

[doriesmith]

Your abs get worked out when you ride a recumbent bike or walk on a treadmill or use the elliptical too. Your right Missy, our abs get worked out doing basic movements also. Personally, I HATE training my abs so I must say, I'm really lazy about that part of my workout. I have noticed a tremendous change in my abs since I've added 20 minutes of recumbent bike riding to my 30 minutes of cardio daily (I alternate one day of working out on the treadmill with one day of working out on the elliptical). I'm doing 50 minutes of cardio daily. I take one or two days off a week to rest. Sometimes I don't have time to do all that at once so I'll break it up and do 30minutes at one time and 20 another time. However I manage to do it, it's kicked up my metabolism and got me out of the plateau I've been stuck in for several months.

[doriesmith]

P.S. StacyJ....I found that pumping my arms while I walk on the treadmill and using my arms to push and pull the bars on the elliptical has worked out my arms and given me much needed definition there.

[StaceyJ]

This is GREAT 3 days here and already learning alot from wonderful people! Thanks everyone for your replies; they are highly appreciated!