Quote:
Originally Posted by lynnm39
I hear ya'---I've ALWAYS been an apple-shape, i.e., with much of my weight concentrated in the middle. Right now, my stomach looks worse than it ever has because I've slacked off for a year (doing practically nothing).
I know that they say that you can't spot reduce, but I've had some success using the Firm 5-day ab routine, which is on a VHS tape that I bought from Target for $10 several years ago. On the box of the tape, it says that they "guarantee results" in 10 workouts. I thought that was just hype, but it turned out to be true for me. After two weeks of consistently doing that workout (5 days each week), my stomach does look firmer. My lower stomach normally hangs (gross visual, I know), but when I do the Firm ab tape, I see some lift there. No, it's not a miraculous change, but it is a change. Anyway, maybe that workout would help you.
I understand exactly what you are saying. Usually when people think spot reduction it's along the lines of doing many reps of one particular exercise (or group of exercises) that focus on one area. Sure, you will see some toning in that muscle group but to see full results, you have to do cardio to burn the fat padding around the muscles.
I'm going to google the video you mentioned because I think I actually have this one, too. If it's what I think it is then you are doing toning and stretching that involves your legs, arms, back, and ab muscles. That's exactly why yoga and Pilates work in toning your core - they force you to use your core for balance and total body conditioning. Crunches and those ab exercisers just won't get the job done.