Thread: spinoff: Too squeamish for a tummy tuck; Ab recs?

So, I had a baby and have finally lost the baby weight. I am pretty svelte (size6-8 and 5'6") , but not thin. I would like to get some muscle tone back in my tummy. Any recommendations? I do cardio 2 or 3 times a week and Hatha yoga twice a week. Any specific 6-pack ab ideas?

pilates is much more ab-focused than yoga (though yoga does lots of belly toning too). if you have access to a pilates mat class I'm recommend trying it out for a few weeks.

I used to teach Pilates, and years after the fact, my ab definition and core strength are still very good and with little maintenance. I definitely recommend it!!!!

holler back on the pilates, if you've ever seen samirashuruk's abs live, you'd agree with pilates ab-ness!

shoot, that's another class (remember, I have a toddler : ) ). Maybe any recs for a good Pilates DVD? I know it is a better thing to do with a teacher, but I am an experienced yoga gal and dancer who is pretty fit.

i rely a lot on dvds since i limit the babysitting time for my son.

a series of dvd that really helped to get back a nice tummy, is The method with Jennifer Kries.
the workouts are a blend of yoga, pilates and dance moves. all 15-20 minutes long so they are easy to fit in a busy schedule,
improve my core abs+flabby arms a lot( although i let my arms go a lot in the past year).
the 3 dimensional toning series is my favourite, the previous VHS series was good but many workouts were longuer so i didnt use them as often.

great for me cause pilates only dvds often put me to sleep, and just yoga isnt my thing either.

I *really* like Shiva Rea's abs workout DVD (she's a little new-agey for my taste at times, but not obnoxiously so).

Crunches crunches crunches and more crunches.
Of all varieties.

Try using an exercise ball for an extra challenge.
6 Pack Abs Exercises - Exercise Ball Abdominal Crunches For Six Pack Abs

Thanks guys. These all sound great and I'll check them out. The Method ones look good (the 15 min thing sure helps), and I actually like Shiva Rea's yoga tapes.
I haven't had much luck with crunches, but the excersize ball ones look promising.

plank side plank and variations,

favorite ab exercise

That's funny, I was just thinking of the plank variation I used to do that seemed to get results. In this one, you are on your elbows (forearms on the floor). And then you add a push up. *groan*
I conviently forg0t that ab exercise.

Ana Caban has a good series of Pilates mat tapes / DVD's. The are fun and offer a couple of variations for each exercise. They was produced by Giaum.

{{{HUGS}}}

Aubre (of BDSS) just released a video...Core Strength for Dancers, or something to that effect. She's a pilates instructor too; I haven't seen it but her classes kick serious butt so I'll bet the video is quite good!