Stomach Exercise

[yansee]

I have R/A and find it very difficult to exercise now have developed a large pot,anyone know of simple exercise ( not sit up`s ) to help lessen the spare tyre ?

[Tilly2]

Have you tried Pilates at all?

[Daffy6543]

Just for your information; the stomach is an internal organ and can't be exercised (except by eating I digesting).
What you are trying to tone is your abdomen. You can't spot reduce fat on the body, if you do a decent cardio workout (with a few weights if possible) along with eating less, your pot belly should reduce.

[Daffy6543]

eating + digesting, - not what I typed above. :-/

[QueenBea]

I have a great deal of sympathy for you as my husband, the same age, has RA. Do you have the RA through most or all of your body as that will affect what you can do? My husband cannot do many exercises because of the pain but we acquired a rescue dog some years ago and walking the pooch keeps his weight down. Also, he cycles and motorcycles. He is never without pain throughout his body. It is even in his feet, but he perseveres with the walking and for someone who has had the disease since a young man he is remarkably fit. These exercises done regularly got his weight right down, especially in his abdomen. I hope this helps.

[Sqad]

Daffy.....reading the original post it was obvious to 99.9% of the population that yansee was referring to her abdominal muscles. Your belittling comment was unnecessary.

Difficult, very difficult and the answer will depend upon the extent of your RA and must have the feeling that your belly will be with you forever.
However, I do agree with the post of QueenBee and might also add that swimming, if possible would be a help.

[murraymints]

while sitting in chair put legs together raise high as you can ..hold for as long as you can then drop . repeat for approx 5 times 3 times a day ,or more , you will see a difference on your tummy after a whie..

[murraymints]

legs are raised straight in front of you I mean..

[Scarlett]

Depending on where you live, try and find a gym that has an Alter-G treadmill. They are amazing- and allow you to exercise without pain as you become weightless.

[yansee]

Thank you all,the extent of my R/A prohibits most of your answers except murraymints so i will try that out,and yes i found Daffy very patronising,i know the difference but it is an everyday term.

[dannyk13]

Have you tried The Plank?
http://www.wikihow.com/Perform-the-Plank-Exercise

[joggerjayne]

Lie on your bed, on your back.

Reach behind your head and hold the frame or headboard.

Lift your knees up towards you, with your feet just slightly off the bed.

[yogasun]

The exercise mentioned by Danny is the one I recommend to my classes if people ask, but it might not be appropriate for yansee.

[Daffy6543]

Thats a first! Sqad caring one jot whether someone may be offended or belittled by something someone says! It's usually sqad doing the offending.

I stand by what I said though. I wasn't trying to be offensive, I was stating a medical fact. My advice was also valid.

[dianag]

Hello,

First of all, eliminate gassy foods from your diet. I developed belly pot too because I work on computer and I have to sit in front of computer for about 8 hours daily. One exercise that has really helped me reduce the belly bag is stomach vacuum. blow out all the air from your lungs and "suck in" your stomach as much as you can for about 10 seconds. You can do it almost anywhere. In your office, in home, in tube etc in any position like in sitting or standing. Hope it helps. Check the blog link for more belly reducing exercises. http://beautyfitnessnutrition.com/3-exercises-to-lose-belly-fat/

hope it helps.

[yansee]

Thanks dianag i`ll give this a go.

[annieigma]

My O.H. had amini stroke three years ago, and had to lose weight, big belly flab.
we went walking everyday for an hour, as quick as we could manage, and He held his stomach in in as we walked, having to be mentally aware that he was doing it or it didn't work. He cut his food down to small portions, checked all food labels for fat, salt and sugar. in 6 weeks he looked a different person, all the fat almost gone. Trouble was that he also looked about 30 years older, as the face tends to lose puffiness and droop. catch 22. look young, or die young???