[Better than yesterday]

<p>I'm launching this thread in order to create some accountability for myself to stick with a good set of core exercises for at least the month of December. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>No Challenge, per se, just a thread to post to and keep each other honest.  Anyone else motivated?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'll start.  Today I'm doing 1:00 worth of planks to the left side, the middle, and to the right.  Will build on that. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm committing to three days per week and unofficially started on Monday.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Brian</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>

 

[Tamster]

<p>Good timing Brian.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm in. Last week I was real good about doing ab/core work about 4 nights and so far this week, nada. I do so much better when I know I need to 'report in'.</p>

 

[Pink]

<p>I've been trying to work on my core a lot and would love to know what are some good exercises others do . . . I was recently sick after Thanksgiving and feel like I stepped back a few and have to work my way back up - at least in regards to plank time . . .</p>
<p> </p>
<p>So BTY, are you doing 1 hour of planks or 1 minute of planks on each side???</p>

 

[theia]

<p>Here are a few ideas.   </p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://theia-fitgoddess.blogspot.com/2008/02/core-exercises.html" target="_blank">http://theia-fitgoddess.blogspot.com/2008/02/core-exercises.html</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a href="http://theia-fitgoddess.blogspot.com/2008/02/more-core-exercises.html" target="_blank">http://theia-fitgoddess.blogspot.com/2008/02/more-core-exercises.html</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Pilates is wonderful for the core, as are many forms of yoga.  Or, try challenging your balance doing regular weights/toning work (use a BOSU, stability ball, balance disks, etc.).  If you don't have access to that, stand on a pillow.   Don't do weights or have a gym membership?  Stand on one leg while you brush your teeth.  If it's too easy, stand on one leg and close your eyes. </p>

 

[Better than yesterday]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Pink</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/71433/december-is-for-core-work#post_1966382"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a><br><p> </p>
<p>So BTY, are you doing 1 hour of planks or 1 minute of planks on each side???</p>
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<p><br>
He he he he he....I knew someone was going to ask that but I left it there anyway....just one measley little minute of each.<br>
 </p>

 

[Better than yesterday]

<p>Theia, are you sticking your toe in the Over-40 end of the pool? </p>

 

[theia]

<p><whistling as I wander aimlessly by....></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Hi!  I've been swimming in the Over-40 end of the pool for a few years now...   Do you have room for me in here? </p>

 

[Hemerocallus]

<p><br><br>
 </p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Better than yesterday</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/71433/december-is-for-core-work#post_1966387"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a><br><br><br><p>He he he he he....I knew someone was going to ask that but I left it there anyway....just one measley little minute of each.<br>
 </p>
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</div>
<p><br>
Still, better than my measley 0:45 each!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I really do need to re-focus on core.  I've backed off some of it in favour of the hip strengthening, but I know I've got to keep at least some of it.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thanks for the links, Theia!  Am always looking for other ideas.........<br>
 </p>

 

[Better than yesterday]

<p>Theia - C'mon In!  - We have Pie!   </p>

 

[Pink]

<p>Hi Theia - I'll have to try out your plank routine . . . I've been doing the prone planks and then have been trying to add in lifting an arm or a leg and then lifting an arm and opposite leg at the same time - it's hard!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>So . . . it this place just to post that you did it or more?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I tend to have more time to work on core at night, so I did mine last night, but just posting this morning as I do not tend to get on the computer that late . . .</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Here's one that I think is good that I struggle with doing . . . I have a stability ball (55" since I'm short) and I lie on my stomach on it with my hands in front of me on the ground.  I then walk my hands out and let the ball roll down the legs so that I end up in a push up / plank position with just the tops of my ankles on the ball, then do a pushup and then walk my hands back in so I am back on top of the ball.  I'm very pooped after a set of 10!  When I first started this, I just did the walking in and out.  Once I was stable with that, then added the pushup.</p>

 

[OrangeMat]

<p>Pink, that stability ball pushup is a good one. I used to give my clients that exercise, they hated it! If you want to try to ramp that one up, once you're out there in the full pose, try lifting one leg off the ball before doing your pushup. Then do the other one. You'll find it quite interesting how one side might be more stable than the other. That's an excellent way to fire off the obliques without doing any twisting: isolated side-ab work. Just be careful not to let your lower back droop.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>DD and her friend went down to use the treadmill and stationary bike in my exercise room last night, a first for them. Afterward, as they were lying on the floor and gasping for air, they asked if I knew any "stomach exercises" or how to do crunches. Ha!</p>

 

[Pink]

<p><span>Quote:</span></p>
<div class="quote-container">
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>OrangeMat</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/71433/december-is-for-core-work#post_1966568"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>once you're out there in the full pose, try lifting one leg off the ball before doing your pushup. Then do the other one.</p>
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</div>
<p> </p>
<p>If I don't fall over after lifting a leg, am I suppose to do the pushup with the leg still in the air??????? </p>

 

[theia]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Pink</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/71433/december-is-for-core-work#post_1966636"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>If I don't fall over after lifting a leg, am I suppose to do the pushup with the leg still in the air??????? </p>
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<p><br>
Yes.  <span><img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif" style="width:16px;height:16px;"></span>   And once you get really strong doing your pushups with your legs on the ball, try it the opposite way -- hands on the ball, feet on the floor.  HOLY PAIN, BATMAN! <br>
 </p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Better than yesterday</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/71433/december-is-for-core-work#post_1966413"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>Theia - C'mon In!  - We have Pie!   </p>
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<p><br>
 </p>
<p>Mmmm, pie.  Now if you offer me ice cream, I'm yours forever!   <span><img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="width:16px;height:16px;"></span><br>
 </p>

 

[Tamster]

<p>mmm, ice cream! is it wrong to talk about it in this thread though? <span><img alt="surprised.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/surprised.gif" style="width:15px;height:15px;"></span></p>
<p>I have a stability ball also. Last night I used it while laying on the floor to prop my legs up on . . . should I be doing more than that?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I didn't do much last night - about 50 crunches, foam rolling and some stretching.</p>

 

[tomwhite]

<p>...I'm in......</p>
<p> </p>
<p>=======</p>
<p> </p>
<p>been doing double sets twice a week</p>
<p> </p>
<p>since</p>
<p> </p>
<p>1- I hate weights</p>
<p>and</p>
<p>B- the GERIATRIC website said I could do twice a week////</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>THE GOOD NEWS</p>
<p> </p>
<p>been at it since September</p>
<p> </p>
<p>so there</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<a class="spoiler-link H-spoiler-toggle" href="#"><strong>Warning: Spoiler!</strong> <span class="spoiler-help">(Click to show)</span></a><div class="spoiler-hidden">
<div>
<p> I should</p>
<p>be a PhysicalMarvel by 2014</p>
</div>
</div>

 

[theia]

<p>Tammy, try a spinal bridge.  Feet (heels) on the ball, legs straight, and lift your hips off the floor, making a straight line from your ankles to your shoulders.  Make sure you don't put any pressure on your head or neck; all your weight should be in your heels and your shoulder blades.  Hold that pose for 30-60 seconds.  If it's too easy, lift your arms off the floor and fold them across your chest (so hands on opposite shoulders). </p>

 

[Sans Souci]

<p><skates in and gives Theia a good body check to the boards></p>
<p><crumples to the ice></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Holy.  You're fit!  Welcome to Pieland.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Great exercises!  I get my core work from yoga, tons of planks, balance, and foot strengthening, sometimes combined, but I think I'll jump in and try a few of your "kind" offerings.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Three contributions:</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Side plank on straight arm while outside arm is straight up and then "curling" under, sort of scooping outside arm under body while maintaining plank and not letting hip drop.</p>
<p>While in eagle pose, folding in and forward while staying low, sort of compressing innards.  This is esp tough after doing a bunch of balance/strength stuff beforehand.</p>
<p>Eagle pose "crunches".  Woof.</p>

 

[Better than yesterday]

<p>Finishing 1st week of commitment today, without building much; 1:00 plank on right elbow, 1:00 on both elbows, 1:00 on left elbow; 30 standard pushups.  </p>
<p> </p>
<p>It's a start (and a finish).  Other than that, and the stretching I do every morning when I first roll out of bed, today is a rest day. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Will try some of those challenging--sounding-things next week.  Traveling to Wassaic this morning to crunch numbers with a contractor.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>B</p>

 

[Pink]

<p>Late posting for last night . . . since I didn't start until 10pm, I did a modified plan.</p>
<p>I use a theraband tied in a circle and step into it and do side steps -  3 sets of 15 per side.</p>
<p>Some trans ab stuff on my back like step downs and step ups . . .</p>
<p>Side leg lifts/clams/rotations.</p>
<p>1 forward/prone plank for as long as I can just about hold one.  Normally, I do 3 sets of these shortened.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I can't seem to do the side planks without aggravating my back . . . which must mean I need to some how strengthen it another way before attempting those for a while.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I did try the stability ball walkout lift one leg pushup and was able to do one on each side but that will take some time to work into the routine.  Maybe I'll do one at the beginning of each set of the two legged version and slowly work them in!</p>

 

[Opie]

<p>All I'm doing for my core presently is sitting up properly in chairs and engaging it then.  Next week I start lifting again.</p>