Thread: Toning up!

I wasnt sure where this should go but im wanting to know if anyone has any exercises they swear by for toning up? particulary the areas from under my boobs to above my knees! hehe! I have M.E and so full on exercise is not an option but some toning would be nice

Thanks! xxx

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Toning is a misnomer - it's a composite of developing the muscle and then stripping away the fat over the muscle. There's nothing that will "spot reduce" (i.e. remove fat in a specific area) where you ay down fat is controlled by a mix of genetics and hormones. Laying down abdominal fat is heavily influenced by excess insulin and cortisol. If you can't manage weight training then I would try something like pillates for building up some core muscle combined with a low G.I. diet made up of multiple small meals to try and avoid insulin spikes. If you need to cut your calories more then it may be worth looking at replacing a meal (probably your last one at night) with a protein shake as that will take a while to digest and keep you satisfied through the night

A lass once told me used to push her hands down over her tummy some thing like 50 times a day and that helped her slim down a bit as did the grip a chair back and pull ones tummy muscles in, hold for five seconds then release about 100 times a day...........................Might work, you never know?

oo sorry, should've been clearer, i dont want to loose weight or "fat", i just want some more muscle tone to help with my routines! Im happy with my size! I have M.E so i know all about controlling my diet and bloosd sugar and all that, i just miss by body being stronger!

Some of those cute little dumbell weights you can get from Argos.Plenty of repititions and you can rest in between each set. Ooh many a fun hour spent in the gym!!!!

Originally Posted by Ant

Some of those cute little dumbell weights you can get from Argos.Plenty of repititions and you can rest in between each set. Ooh many a fun hour spent in the gym!!!!

Noooooo - complete waste of time! If you want to grow muscle you need to use progressive overload. If you want to strip fat to show the muscle then you need to cut calories while maintaining some muscular stress so you don't get muscle wastage. For core strength hit the gym and lift heavy(ish) weights or go for a pillates class!

If you have M.E dont hit the gym!!!!! but im sure you already know that,your best off not speaking to anyone other than a nutritionist,they also knbonow what exercises and things to build the muscle but not hurt yourself further,you need to wspeak to a professonal about this as any person who doesnt know what its like to have M.E,will be likely to give you the wrong advice xoxo

Originally Posted by Starla James

If you have M.E dont hit the gym!!!!! but im sure you already know that,your best off not speaking to anyone other than a nutritionist,they also knbonow what exercises and things to build the muscle but not hurt yourself further,you need to wspeak to a professonal about this as any person who doesnt know what its like to have M.E,will be likely to give you the wrong advice xoxo

And there speaks the truth.................My appologies, I took you to mean loosing fat Adelina. Yes, nutritionist. Great idea.

I quite like Pilates for toning.

xxxxx

Originally Posted by AnastasiaHertz

I quite like Pilates for toning.

xxxxx

I would also highly recommend Pilates

it's great because you can get the DVDs to do at home - though i would recommend going to a few classes first to get a full understanding of the basis.

it's not only great for core strength - which does wonders for balance - but also will dramatically increase your flexibility.