The Active Family

When talking about body shapes, I am definitely an apple. I carry all my fat around my middle, while having the skinniest little legs. It looks ridiculous. Whenever I gain weight, my abdomen is the first place it hits. It wasn’t until I hit my highest weigh ever that it started showing in my butt and thighs.

I’ve slimmed down considerably in the past year, but I am still struggling with the tummy area. I know after two pregnancies there is only so far it is going to go, but I am so sick of muffin tops and love handles!

My instructor has some great, really easy exercises we do every class to target that area. These can be done at home, with a balance ball, medicine ball and a hand weight.

Remember you should start your workouts with a good cardio warm up. We always begin class with 3 sets of jumping rope, 2 minutes, 3 minutes, then 2 minutes, doing a set of lunges across the floor in between each set. Do what works for you, but get that heart rate up!

To target the love handle area during the lunges, take one hand weight (I use 10lbs, and I use both weights) hold the weights in both hands mid stomach area. Lift your right leg and lunge forward. Hold the lunge and twist your abdomen to the right. Return to the middle, and stand up. Lunge forward with your left leg, and twist to the left.

Obviously you will want to be careful with the twist, nice and slow, controlled movements. Keeping your bum and abs tight will help control and focus the movement. Lunge across the floor, or if you are stationary, do 5 reps each side.

Another target exercise requires a balance ball small enough to be able to straddle standing up. You will want to place the ball between your calves, and squeeze. Tuck in your tummy and your butt. Hold the medicine ball up on your left shoulder, hold one weight in your right hand. (Think “I’m a little teapot!”) Lean to the right, letting your right arm extend down. You want to feel the squeeze and stretch right in your sides. Return to standing, bringing your right arm back up (like a bicep curl). Repeat this 10 times, then switch the weight and medicine ball and do the left side.

Keep an eye out for more tummy tamers this week!