Move Over Mary Lou

As I’ve mentioned before, I am a former gymnast. Growing up, I didn’t really work out, I just went to gymnastics. Four hours a day, six days a week of intensive training is work out enough. But I really enjoyed it. I felt about gymnastics the way Dexie felt about her dancing. It was the one place I could be me. I enjoyed pushing myself to the point of physical exhaustion. What can I say I’m a masochist. Whenever I feel like I need a little tone up , I draw from this experience. We would do a half hour cool down everyday and damn it if the cool down wasn’t just as punishing as the workout itself. One of my favorites was crunch, pike, straddle sit ups. It works your hips, abs, inner thighs, outer thighs, glutes and strengthens your lower back. Is there anything this exercise won’t do? Well it won’t do your laundry but you won’t care because you will have rock hard abs.

Start by laying on your back and raising your head, neck and feet six inches off of the ground. Curl your body into a crunch and then extend back to your starting position without lowering your head or legs. Then move into a pike position. It’s like a jackknife with your legs straight, toes pointed and the goal is to touch your fingers to your toes. Return to your starting position remembering not to lower your position. Go into your straddle position, trying to reach your arms as far forward as possible. Point your toes and keep your posture. After completing the straddle-up you can lower your head and legs and then begin again. These should be done quickly, as in you should be moving from one position to another without pause. They are killer. I would start with the goal of doing three sets of ten every day. Once you decide to start you will either not be able to do them at all or only be able to do a few to begin with. I find they are the best quick solution to firming up that mid-section. I mean how many gymnasts do you see with love handles…um yeah thought so. Only try if your are serious about toning, otherwise you will just give yourself a hernia. I have done them when I wasn’t ready and it’s not pretty. I attempted them to try to induce labor and had my son 24 hours later so, be warned. For extra toning, try some reverse sit-ups, on your stomach to tone your back. If you are up for those too right our of the box then you are a rockstar and you need to be at the damn Olympics. Happy sweating.