Abs

L

leora

New Member
I have five children, the last is 10 months old. I have lost all of my pre-pregnancy weight, and am at my goal weight. However, I need to tone up my abs. When I do crunches, my neck gets very sore and I feel like I am working it more than my abs. I try to really concentrate on my stomach muscles and that helps. Could you tell me which exercises will get my abs to look as great as yours? And what am I doing wrong that my neck gets so sore?
As always, you are the best and I look forward for your new series to be released. When I found your workouts, all my others got archived!!!
 
Hi Leora! Wow, congratulations on having your fifth child most recently. I bet your home is filled with lots of love. How wonderful.

As for your abs, it is not uncommon for your neck to get sore from doing crunches. Eventually you will build up more endurance in this area so that you are able to last longer. For now, be sure to support your head with your hands and imagine an apple under your chin so that you do not dig your chin into your chest while doing crunches.

You want to be sure to work your overall core so do plank work, crunches with your legs bent on the floor, crunches with your legs in the air, crunches with your knees dropped to each side (froggie style), and the bike maneuver movement. Those are just a few to get you started. Congratulations again!
 
I recall having a sore neck as well, even when doing proper form, once I started back to ab work after having my babies. It takes some time to build up the strength in your neck but you will.

Congratulations reaching your goal weight! That is fantastic!
 
One thing I learned on ESPN Bodyshaping years ago, and it sounds super hoaky, but I swear it helps....When doing crunches, actively push your tongue into the roof of your mouth. Sounds crazy, hunh? I know! It does! But it helped take away neck strain! I can't tell you why...and maybe it's just a pshychological trick to get you thinking about something else? Dunno! But I'm gonna keep doing it! :)
 
Snazzy, I love your tag line. I think I might even steal it & use it at work when all the older nurses think they can push me around. Thanks again.

Marla
 
For neck pain, I've found that the pilates techinque of thinking of lengthening the back of your neck while very slightly tucking your chin (keeping the distance that Cathe notes between the chin and the chest) helps. Also, holding your tongue against the roof of your mouth is what some physcal therapists recommend to help support the neck muscles.

You can also try resting your head in a towel, holding on to the ends with your hands beside your head. Be sure to rest the head on the towel and not pull on the towel with your hands when you come up. The entire head/shoulder/arm area moves as one.
 
>Snazzy, I love your tag line. I think I might even steal it &
>use it at work when all the older nurses think they can push
>me around. Thanks again.
>
>Marla


Thanks Marla! I can't remember where I stole it from! LOL I'm surrounded by a sea of unfit people who think I'm a nut! Just wait until I'm an oak! :)
 
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