Comments on: 10 reasons why you should NOT do crunches.

By: Robin Konie

Robin Konie — Fri, 17 May 2013 23:52:31 +0000

Thanks, Danielle.

By: Danielle

Danielle — Fri, 17 May 2013 23:19:51 +0000

I’m glad you’ve mentioned diastasis recti. I’m recovering from diastasis recti repair surgery and it’s a rough one. It’s so common too! My dr. used to recommend crunches to help my saggy belly, lol. Thanks for spreading the word that crunches do NOT help.

By: Rachel S.

Rachel S. — Fri, 17 May 2013 22:57:20 +0000

Also (and I commented on this below), there is a website called fit2b.com that is geared totally around core strengthening (still with total body workouts). I had a 9 finger diastasis when I started. I was in the first trimester of my current pregnancy, and my tummy shrank before it started really growing with baby. My diastasis also shrank down to a 5 in that first month or so of doing the workouts. The workouts I have used consistently are only about 10 minutes each and I didn’t always do them every day.

By: robin

robin — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:26:35 +0000

Wow! That IS something to check out.

By: Rachel S.

Rachel S. — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:19:19 +0000

There is an AWESOME alternative already available online! It is Fit2B.com. Bethany Learn, the owner, has been working diligently to spread the word about the dangers of crunches, especially if you have a diastasis!

I have been doing the tummy safe workouts since late December; and even being pregnant, my tummy SHRANK in my first trimester! Her workout target you entire core, not just the six-pack like crunches do.

I have had a much easier pregnancy so far because having a strong core has kept my sciatic nerve from hurting so much. I want to add that this is my 10th pregnancy, so this is no small thing for me!

By: robin

robin — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:55:55 +0000

Without knowing you and all your specifics it’s hard to say. I’d check out the book Mummy Tummy. Belly fat is a tricky one because it could be actual fatty deposits, or misaligned spine, or mommy “gut.” Be patient with yourself as you have birthed four children! That’s amazing. Give it time, look into proper strength training, and of course diet plays a huge issue.

By: Elle

Elle — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 03:33:28 +0000

Hi, I suffered from a recti and after my 4th child’s birth it was a 3finger width and now a 1 finger width. The result is a very lean body but a bigger belly as normal after my other births. I did not do my usual crunches etc after recovery of 4th csection and now I hate my stomach. Where do I start to loose all the belly fat????

By: robin

robin — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 01:42:20 +0000

Plank is great!

By: Mary

Mary — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 23:09:49 +0000

So glad to hear there will be more next week. I do plank for core.

By: Core strengthening exercises: How and why

Core strengthening exercises: How and why — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 08:00:07 +0000

[...] week I talked about why I really don’t like doing crunches. (You can read that here). Not only are they potentially dangerous, but they really are not effective for core training. [...]