I just had my 2nd baby 3 1/2 months ago and would like to get back in shape again. Any suggestions on the best way to get my abs back in shape? Crunches, sit ups, etc.
I also need to work a little on my butt/hips and need some ideas.
Having watched “Kiana’s Flex Appeal” on ESPN (see the guy thread) I’ve come to the conclusion the most important fitness exercise is breast implants. Having just had a baby you may not see the need for them right now but they are definitely a “prominent” part of most TV exercise programs.
“If ignorance were corn flakes, you’d be General Mills.”
Cecil Adams
The Straight Dope
Rachelle–yeah me, too.
What I’ve read is that crunches are good, but you also need to do exercises that focus on the lower abs. The best way is to lie flat and bring your legs up slowly. I also found when I had my first baby that swimming helped my abs, as well as burning calories. I wish I had time to swim this time around, because I really loathe doing sit ups.
Pluto - believe me, if I could afford breast implants I would get them!! Since my weight started dropping my breasts have shrunk! They’re always the first to go!
Men know that the best excercize is sex. Lots and lots of sex. Done correctly, it works out every major muscle group. As an added benefit, sex cures every disease that it does not cause. Why do women not understand these basic, universal truths?
The overwhelming majority of people have more than the average (mean) number of legs. – E. Grebenik
Uh, Doc Jackson, that’s how she got into this fix in the first place, no?
What makes you think I’m not having sex??
An hour of sex is like jogging a mile and lately I’ve been jogging 8-10 times a week!!
I want to do some sort of excercise that focuses only on my abs, butt, and hips. Crunches will work for my abs but what about my butt/hips??
Crunches, where you come up only 3-4 inches off the floor are best. Hold for 3 seconds. Do them in sets of 10-15. Only do them every other day. For some reason, a lot of people think they will get stronger abs by doing these everyday… the muscles never recover properly. You’ll see better, faster results if you work them every other day. But hey, I’m not a doctor, just really, really into exercise…
Best!
Byz
I don’t know, I wasn’t there, and I didn’t see a thing. I swear!
“What makes you think I’m not having sex??
An hour of sex is like jogging a mile and lately I’ve been jogging 8-10
times a week!!”
If you are getting laid like that for crying out loud, don’t lose weight. Shucks, you might only jog once a week then!
For butt/hips: squats. Stand with your feet about shoulder width apart. Act as if you are going to sit down on a chair. Tense up your butt as hard as you can and then come back up. Do in sets of 5-15. Again, every other day. Hell, can I get paid for this stuff? 
Best!
Byz
Some other excercises I like are leg lifts(lie on side, raise and lower extended leg), torso twists(works oblique stomach muscles: Hold arms at shoulder hieght with elbows bent 90 degrees so that your fists are in front of your chest. Rotate torso.).
I also try to work my back (lying on stomach, raising head and shoulders 3 inches off the ground and holding, then lowering slowly. Hands at sides.)
Truth be told, the best way to lose a belly is through aerobic excersise. Jog, walk, swim, or whatever.
Oh yeah. When you do those crunches, suck in your belly. 
You say “cheesy” like that’s a BAD thing.
There are two tapes “Eight minute abs” and “Eight minute buns” that are great. The ab exercises work all the ab muscles and you can do em anywhere. The guy leading it gets tiresome, but I don’t need the tape anymore now.