| By Paige on Thursday, April 11, 2002 - 10:44 am: Oooh I have an AWESOME one that is really low impact on your back. It's also great to do this on one of those HUGE exercise balls....but, if you don't have one, like me.... use a kitchen/dining room chair. I've even been known to sit on the coffee table and do this one. Sit straight up (good posture) on the chair backwards so that the back of the chair faces your stomach. Cross your arms over your chest. Feet flat on the floor. Tighten your tummy muscles, and slowly lean backwards... you don't have to go back very far before you feel it. Hold and count 3 Mississippi's. Then slowly return to your straight sitting position. Relax your tummy muscles to a count of 3 and then tighten before moving backwards again. Do this 10 times, if you can. When it starts getting too easy, count 5 Mississippi's and then 10 and so on while leaning back more, 20 in stead of 10, etc. Don't forget to breath!! And keep your tummy muscles tightened! This works your entire abdominal area....unlike crunches or sit ups, this does not strain your lower back or neck. It's awesome and can be done anywhere!! Try it and let me know what you think. Good luck! |