Most people think it takes hundreds of crunches to get a rock-hard belly. But there's another little secret many people miss. By standing correctly and pulling your abs in tight like I do, you'll work them out all day long! After all, what do you think works better, five minutes of crunches a day or 16 hours of holding your abs in? Not that crunches don't work — they do — but you'll get faster, better results by improving your posture, too.
Try this trick: When you sit and stand, imagine there's a string attached to the top of your head pulling your whole body up. See how your hips automatically tuck under and your tummy sucks in? For comparison, slump down and see how your stomach pooches out. If you don't have good posture now, it will take a while to "train" your body how to sit and stand correctly. But keep it up and soon it will become second nature. There you go — you look great!
Originally posted by jillybean: This is harder than it sounds and it takes a lot of concentration! I was grocery shopping last night and while I was walking through the produce section I held my head high, shoulders back, and held my stomach in. This is NOT easy! Personally, I like laying on the floor doing crunches-at least I get to lay down
I sort of thought that the whole thing seemed sort of ridiculous and unrealistic.
I'm not even sure that it is healthy... like maybe a lifetime of squeezing your aps 16 hours a day might give you hemorroids or something...
Denise
Posts: 8678 | Location: Silicon Valley, CA | Registered: March 17, 2004
This is harder than it sounds and it takes a lot of concentration! I was grocery shopping last night and while I was walking through the produce section I held my head high, shoulders back, and held my stomach in. This is NOT easy! Personally, I like laying on the floor doing crunches-at least I get to lay down
Jill
Summer Challenge Goals: 1) Walk 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week 2) Plan weekly menus
I just got irked by the dumb marketing phrases containing “Rock Hard” body parts… sorry about that!
Rock hard and my body simply do not belong in the same sentence. I am pretty toned and trim, but I just don't jive to the term "rock hard." In my mind I just ignore it. Other phrases do bother me, but this one seems so ludicrous that I don't react much.
Plus, "rock hard" is not appealing to me--- it conjurs images of bosy builders gone way too far.
Originally posted by Alli Coffin: I've been doing something like this, but focussing on rolling my shoulder blades back rather than sucking my tummy in. I find that when I focus on keeping the shoulders back and down, everything else falls into place.
alli
I have been doing this too for about 6-8 months. My abs are engaged, but not super engaged. I am just aware of them and like the awareness. I find that I have far less tension in my back when I do this everyday.
When I get tired or overtired, I tend to slump my shoulders a bit and get then get upper back pain.
I also sort of disagree with Denise a bit here (sorry, still love ya Denise!!). I don't see it as uncomfortable (especially after you get into the habit); actually I think it promotes a healthy attitude (sort of like walking & other exercise does). You are standing up straight, head held high and so on. You are projecting a postive attitude.
I think there's a difference between proper posture and "holding your abs tight like I do". You can stand up straight (or sit straight) and still not be holding your abs in tight...the sitting and standing straight I agree should be more comfortable. Holding your abs in for 16 hours per day, not so much...
Dawn
"Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You have to set yourself on fire." anonymous
Posts: 4303 | Location: Indianapolis, IN | Registered: March 15, 2004
Originally posted by jillybean: I agree that the "Rock-Hard Abs" phrase is hard to swallow and hard to believe with just standing and sucking in our guts but if she wrote "Somewhat Harder Abs But Still Kinda Flabby" no one would read the article
And this has nothing to do with anything… but I’m just sort of having trouble reconciling all of the conflicting messages being thrown my way.
A) Show your appreciation for your teacher by showering him/her with sweets… More Calories = More Love.
B) The current standard beauty is rock hard abs.
OK… I’ll eat chocolate while standing up straight with my stomach pulled in.
I usually get like this when I read too many women’s magazines… “100 Luscious Summer Cheesecake recipes your family will LOVE!!!!!” “Lose 15 lbs and have a Rock Hard Belly by the 4th of July!!!!!” all in the same issue… which is why I don't usually buy/read...
So funny Denise, I was thinking that same thing last week while reading a magazine cover that had something like that on it. "Lose 10 lbs. on Duke University's Rice Diet" and then picture of all kinds of desserts everywhere. Hello?
Dawn
THose "Women's World" magazines are the worst!!! They always a focus on some sort of diet every week but then have all these recipes (complete with pics) for the most sinful desserts. I think "Good HouseKeeping" does the same thing.
Originally posted by jillybean: [...] Has anyone seen the commercial where the girl is walking into a building with a short skirt/top on and has this great stomach-then she gets in the elevator(by herself), the door closes, and she exhales and her gut pops out? Pretty funny. [...]
Jill
YES! and it is so funny. I don't think it is a diet commercial like for Nutrisystem or Jenny but I think it is Chicken of the Sea.
"Live your life so that you are not afraid to sell the family parrot to the town gossip."
Posts: 4044 | Location: NE Atlanta (Chamblee, Doraville, Norcross, Duluth) | Registered: March 15, 2004
Has anyone seen the commercial where the girl is walking into a building with a short skirt/top on and has this great stomach-then she gets in the elevator(by herself), the door closes, and she exhales and her gut pops out? Pretty funny.
LOL!!!!!! Oh yes, I've seen that one and get so tickled!!!!
Another comercial that is starting to irk me is the Nutra-System for Men. I couldn't stand the gal walking down the grocery store isle in a bikini last year but now these ones that are geared toward men are really making me groan!!! They are basically saying that if you want to have "hoochie-coochie" more often, go on the Nutra-System plan.....GEEZZZZZZZZZ!!!!
Originally posted by jillybean: I agree that the "Rock-Hard Abs" phrase is hard to swallow and hard to believe with just standing and sucking in our guts but if she wrote "Somewhat Harder Abs But Still Kinda Flabby" no one would read the article
And this has nothing to do with anything… but I’m just sort of having trouble reconciling all of the conflicting messages being thrown my way.
A) Show your appreciation for your teacher by showering him/her with sweets… More Calories = More Love.
B) The current standard beauty is rock hard abs.
OK… I’ll eat chocolate while standing up straight with my stomach pulled in.
I usually get like this when I read too many women’s magazines… “100 Luscious Summer Cheesecake recipes your family will LOVE!!!!!” “Lose 15 lbs and have a Rock Hard Belly by the 4th of July!!!!!” all in the same issue… which is why I don't usually buy/read...
So funny Denise, I was thinking that same thing last week while reading a magazine cover that had something like that on it. "Lose 10 lbs. on Duke University's Rice Diet" and then picture of all kinds of desserts everywhere. Hello?
Dawn
"Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You have to set yourself on fire." anonymous
Posts: 4303 | Location: Indianapolis, IN | Registered: March 15, 2004
LOL!!! Love the discussion this little bit stirred!!!
I see both sides of what you all are saying here. I agree with sitting/standing up straight and agree that it is good for not only "looks" but good health as well.
I also sort of disagree with Denise a bit here (sorry, still love ya Denise!!). I don't see it as uncomfortable (especially after you get into the habit); actually I think it promotes a healthy attitude (sort of like walking & other exercise does). You are standing up straight, head held high and so on. You are projecting a postive attitude.
I know when I catch myself slumping, I feel "slumpy". When I hold myself up, I feel more perky, upbeat AND a bit stronger.
As with all things, what works for some folks, doesn't for others. Everyone has different outlooks and opinions; that is one thing that makes this board and the world such a wonderful place!!!
Like I said before, so glad that I actually caused a discussion on here!!! WHoo-Hoo!!!!!!! It has been a while since I have!!!!
Side note: From other things I've seen and read w/DA, she is a really perky lady. I think she uses terms and phrases to motivate and I agree, this was an "over the top" phrase. I didn't really take "rock hard abs" here any more seriously than I do the exercise gadgets I see on info-mercials. The phrase "for more toned abs and a stronger core" might have been more appropriate but her use of words here really catches attention.
Originally posted by jillybean: I agree that the "Rock-Hard Abs" phrase is hard to swallow and hard to believe with just standing and sucking in our guts but if she wrote "Somewhat Harder Abs But Still Kinda Flabby" no one would read the article
And this has nothing to do with anything… but I’m just sort of having trouble reconciling all of the conflicting messages being thrown my way.
A) Show your appreciation for your teacher by showering him/her with sweets… More Calories = More Love.
B) The current standard beauty is rock hard abs.
OK… I’ll eat chocolate while standing up straight with my stomach pulled in.
I usually get like this when I read too many women’s magazines… “100 Luscious Summer Cheesecake recipes your family will LOVE!!!!!” “Lose 15 lbs and have a Rock Hard Belly by the 4th of July!!!!!” all in the same issue… which is why I don't usually buy/read...
Denise
Posts: 8678 | Location: Silicon Valley, CA | Registered: March 17, 2004
I agree that the "Rock-Hard Abs" phrase is hard to swallow and hard to believe with just standing and sucking in our guts but if she wrote "Somewhat Harder Abs But Still Kinda Flabby" no one would read the article
I will say that having strong stomach muscles is great for your health-it lessens back pain in many people, helps with posture, and less belly fat is better for the heart.
I have been doing the Core Secrets workout(Gunnar Peterson and Brooke Burke-who by the way has rock hard abs but I don't think it is just from this 23 minute workout ) and have noticed that after only a few workouts my posture seems better(my abs are the same but will probably come around with more work). This could be just from exercising more in general but I do think I can attribute some of it to the "core" work on the DVD.
Has anyone seen the commercial where the girl is walking into a building with a short skirt/top on and has this great stomach-then she gets in the elevator(by herself), the door closes, and she exhales and her gut pops out? Pretty funny.
I think that this is a great suggestion and certainly worth trying-if not to creat better abs but just for the benefit of standing taller and not slumped over. Thanks SKE!
Jill
Summer Challenge Goals: 1) Walk 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week 2) Plan weekly menus
Just something about the phrase, "Rock Hard Abs" just really sets me off.
It sounds so much like, "Lose 15 pounds in 10 days!!!!!!"
I'm just really bothered by these catchy phrases that seem to promise over the top results... With very little effort.
And how hard is hard? What are realistic expectations? How many people/WOMEN(?) are going to achieve a "rock hard belly"? PLEEEAAAASEE! The average female has some belly fat. And her first paragraph makes it sound like you can eliminate belly fat and achieve perfection by holding your stomach in… 16 hours a day. And WHY is a "rock hard belly" the gold standard of perfection and something to shoot for?
And for some reason, the rock hard abs thing makes me think of Jonathan (who used to help write the www.skinnydaily.com - she has a link to his blog). He recently posted a photo of himself and he does have rock hard abs and he looks tight and controlled and tense and rigid and REALLY unhappy. And his writing is like that… he seems disappointed in his body and his eating a lot of the time.
I’m just really bothered by the hyperbole, that is all. Austin’s second paragraph is great, but I really dislike the first.
Denise
Posts: 8678 | Location: Silicon Valley, CA | Registered: March 17, 2004
Originally posted by Tayhudson: She's paranoid about looking fat and always holds her stomach in, and now she had great abs."
OK... I'll be the pus pocket of negativity.
I think "rock hard abs" are over rated and unrealistic and hyperbole. Don't want to live my live "paranoid" even if it will give me better abs.
Have no desire to spend every waking minute of the day with my abs clenched. I will stand up straight… but I think that walking around with my abs flexed all day sounds too much like “stomach in knots”.
At this stage of my life, I'd rather look like me than Denise Austin.
And I DO believe that a strong core and good posture is REALLY important for good health and especially good back health. But just have no realistic expectation of "Rock Hard Abs" in this life time.
I'm not saying I want them or will ever have them, I just know that it can work. I would like my tummy to look nice, but its never going to be rock hard again.
Dawn
"Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You have to set yourself on fire." anonymous
Posts: 4303 | Location: Indianapolis, IN | Registered: March 15, 2004
I've been doing something like this, but focussing on rolling my shoulder blades back rather than sucking my tummy in. I find that when I focus on keeping the shoulders back and down, everything else falls into place.
alli
Fall goals: 1. Bike 40-50 miles a week 2. Prepare new garden bed for next season 3. Heal my back
Posts: 726 | Location: Jersey Shore, USA | Registered: March 11, 2004
