Hi Cathe! I am SOOOO excited about your new DVDs! Anyway, I hope you can help with this longstanding question: I have always wondered whether abs should be treated as any other muscle (with rest days in between working them) or if it is ok to work them every day. Even though we don't use weights on them, abs work is still resistance training so I worry that working them every day is counterproductive. Any thoughts?
how often should I work abs?
- Thread starter frances
- Start date
I hope Cathe answers you because I'm wondering this myself. I have heard so much conflicting info.
Cathe, your abs are amazing esp. after 2 babies. Your the best one for advice here. I have had 3 babies, most recent one 6 months ago and my abs are jello!! I just started working them again a few weeks ago. I wanted to lose the first 50 lbs first but now I've done that. Still have 65 to go but I'm ready to work those abs!!
Also, should someone who has a lot of fat covering their abs work them the same amount as someone with less fat??
I have a fear of working my abs more than 2-3 days a week that I will build up the muscle and actually make my waist bigger because the abs will be pusing out the fat.
Marci
Cathe, your abs are amazing esp. after 2 babies. Your the best one for advice here. I have had 3 babies, most recent one 6 months ago and my abs are jello!! I just started working them again a few weeks ago. I wanted to lose the first 50 lbs first but now I've done that. Still have 65 to go but I'm ready to work those abs!!
Also, should someone who has a lot of fat covering their abs work them the same amount as someone with less fat??
I have a fear of working my abs more than 2-3 days a week that I will build up the muscle and actually make my waist bigger because the abs will be pusing out the fat.
Marci
I have been waiting for Cathe to respond to this one. I am interested in what she has to say.
I work my abs every day for a bout 20 minutes (core work). I have ten children and my abs are as flat as Cathes ( not as developed as Cathes but they are close). I feel my abs need this since I am 47 years old and have had ten children. I must be doing something right since my waist is 23 1/2".
Cathe's new intensity series has awesome ab work - I have been doing her C & W ab work and her Pyramid Upper Body Stability ball everday for 4 weeks. This has definitely changed the looks of my abs - my obliques are much more defined.
If you look to where Cathe talks about how she got in shape so quick after her second son - she had to really concentrate on her abs and these exercises ar what helped her.
Good luck,
Cheryl
I work my abs every day for a bout 20 minutes (core work). I have ten children and my abs are as flat as Cathes ( not as developed as Cathes but they are close). I feel my abs need this since I am 47 years old and have had ten children. I must be doing something right since my waist is 23 1/2".
Cathe's new intensity series has awesome ab work - I have been doing her C & W ab work and her Pyramid Upper Body Stability ball everday for 4 weeks. This has definitely changed the looks of my abs - my obliques are much more defined.
If you look to where Cathe talks about how she got in shape so quick after her second son - she had to really concentrate on her abs and these exercises ar what helped her.
Good luck,
Cheryl
Kristi,
You shouldn't fear working out your abs because you think they will stick out. As long as you breathe right while doing the abs you are fine. I found when starting some of Cathe's new ab work, I would hold my breath because it was so hard. I even worked up a good sweat. So what I do is I count as I do the ab work that way I am breathing right.
As I have said I work my abs out every day and my abs are flat. I don't even have to think about holding them in while in a two piece bathing suit. My abs are flat enough that I don't even have to give it a second thought when I wear a half top or anything like that.
Cheryl
You shouldn't fear working out your abs because you think they will stick out. As long as you breathe right while doing the abs you are fine. I found when starting some of Cathe's new ab work, I would hold my breath because it was so hard. I even worked up a good sweat. So what I do is I count as I do the ab work that way I am breathing right.
As I have said I work my abs out every day and my abs are flat. I don't even have to think about holding them in while in a two piece bathing suit. My abs are flat enough that I don't even have to give it a second thought when I wear a half top or anything like that.
Cheryl
jillybean
Cathlete
I am sure Cathe will answer this herself, but I remember her once posting that she doesn't recommend more than 4x's per week because when you feel obligated to do them everyday (6x's a week) you just go through the motions and don't focus as hard on the contractions. Just an interesting observation but Cathe included 4 ab workouts in the CTX Series and 4 ab workouts in the Intensity Series. I usually do add more, but now I am wondering if I'd see the same results by backing it up to 4x's a week and giving those 4 sessions my all?
One big factor in getting those abs like Cathes is not only how often you work your abs, but also how clean you eat. I've read alot about carb eating is bad for your middle and protein is better....especially the older you are. Don't know if it is true or not, but something to think about. I, of course, do not speak from experience. I have some fat on my middle....4 kids don't help....and I work my stomach about 5xs a week....I use the stability ball for most of it and love it. I am getting some defination in my stomach, but if I ate better, I know I could have more.
Kim
Kim
Cheryl! WOW! What an inspriation! I'm so amazed by your dedication. That's wonderful! Do you mind if I ask how your diet is? I imagine it's very clean? Also what is your workout schedule like? If you would prefer not to post it please email me at [email protected]
Thank you so much!!!
Angela
:7
Thank you so much!!!
Angela
:7