Anyone know how to get rid of the tire we have around our midsection? I need something that I can add to my work out that would be okay for my back.... I have a super bad back. Let me know if you guys have any ideas

~~Jesssica http://www.lapbandtalk.com/members/38302-albums2995-picture16514.html

if you look at that pic ull know what im talking about...

3 words.

Cardio.

Cardio.

and....

Cardio.

You cant spot reduce. You need to burn fat all over to lose stomach fat. And the best way to do that is lots of cardio. Strength training helps a LOT too, but it wont spot reduce. A good program combining cardio and strength training is your best bet for all your problem areas.

If you have a bad back too, then you also need to really focus heavily on your core strength. Pilates based moves are very effective, as is fitball work. I was having quite a deal of trouble with sciatic pain, and also with a recurring knee injury with running, the key to which is usually weak hip muscles. I've been doing the following faithfully for about a year now, and my back is remarkably better, I never get pain and I was to the point where I had a numb and dead feeling right leg. No more niggly knee either:

Planks: - front planks, and planks where you start on hands and move down to elbows, back and forth (killer, lol).

side planks

Hamstring curls: - fitball on floor, lying on back, legs on fitball, heels digging in. Raise hips so you're in a bridge position, and bending legs roll the fitball towards your bottom and roll it back out again. This will make your hammies SCREAM, but it requires very intense stabilising and balancing from all your core muscles.

I also use a sandbag instead of weights for strength training, this has meant I get the benefit of the muscle group I'm working but it works the core remarkably because so much stabilisation etc is needed.

Result: perfectly flat tummy (but I was lucky to have no large excess skin issues and never had a huge stomach in the first place) and much healthier, happier back.

Hope that helps.

I too have a bad back - had back surgery in 2006 and was feeling great for a year or two but no having issues again.

Anyway - I will second what Jachut said Cardio and Core. My back surgery had me start Spring based Pilates about 4 months ago -its not excatly the most macho work out but the results on both my back and gut have been unbelieveable.

Thanks for the advice .... ill starting doing those exercises today in the gym.

~~Jessica