hi steph,

the best way to tone your abs is with pilates. hhmmm, lets see if I can explain in print some moves to get you started.

Lay flat on your back, lift your shoulders, arms and upper back (keeping it straight arms straight by your side too) and your legs (keeping them straight) off the floor...lift legs about a foot or so. you are kinda balancing on your butt ! Hold this position for a count of 25 to start. do this 5 times. work up to a count of 100. I hope that made sense.

You could do leg raises. Lay flat on your back, arms by your side. Using your abs lift legs perfectly staight so you look like an L, keeping hips straight. sLowly lower your legs using much control. You will feel this in your lower abs definately!! Do at least 2 sets of 10 and work your way up to more reps.

Do you have a stability ball? You could do reverse curls on that as well, it is very effective because you are balancing yourself and doing the lower ab work!
I hope all this makes sense. There may be a site somewhere that would have diagrams......I am receiving a new pilates video tomorrow so I will post any other great moves that are on there!

Good Luck.

annes73

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SW-210
CW-159
GW-130
H-5'5" F

[This message has been edited by annes73 (edited 07-27-2003).]