Advice please: toning up your back!

Re: Advice please: toning up your back!

• Lobsters25 member

  

  February 2013

  Congrats on the wedding, and that's kinda awesome that it's a secret!
  
  Well, the fabric may be pulling a bit from everywhere, so I would really suggest whole body workouts instead of targeting a region (which never really works anyway.)
  
  A healthy diet, some light weights, pushups, and regular cardio sound like what you need if it's just a few lbs.  If you can tell us more about what types of equipment you have access to, and what kind of workouts you're interested in, then everyone can probably be a bit more helpful.

  

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• firsttimersluck member

  

  February 2013

  I totally agree with Lobsters. 

  Any cardio you enjoy with some added weights for push ups, flys, rows, etc will get you to where you want to be! 

  Be careful because if you start only working out your back, you could easily build up muscle without dropping fat and then be even larger in that area! That's why diet and cardio will be your bff. :P 

  Sounds like you have plenty of time to slim up a bit and feel better about it! 

  Welcome and stick around! 

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• kateveronica member

  

  February 2013

  Hey guys, I'm a Pilates teacher and I'd suggest adding exercises using light weights and an exercise ball. You can lie abdominals against the ball, place your hands behind your head, and basically do a reverse crunch, so you're crunching the back of your body instead of the front. Keep your abs super lifted the whole time to protect your back! You can also do the same thing holding light weights and extending your arms out in a T. Cardio is always good and make sure to eat mostly REAL food, so cut out the processed junk and focus on veggies and fruits. Good luck!

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• RaeCharlieB

  

  February 2013

  Thank you all,
  
  That sounds like good, sensible advice. I've been on a great diet (not sure if I'm allowed to mention the name on here?) for the last year and a bit and have lost 3.5 stone, and have gone from a 40inch bust to a 34.5 with inches lost from waist and hips also, so I will be continuing with this - it's very much 'real food' only.
  
  I've also got membership of a gym locally until the 22nd (special offer voucher) and plan to swim as much as possible, but am terrified of exercising in the gym part with all the machines and treadmills... perhaps something I need to just get out and do! I have a yoga mat and DVD from a class I went to that then moved away so could make that part of my week again. And I'm a dog-walker so I could prob try jogging for some cardio when I've not got 'plodders'!
  
  As you all say trying to spot-train may prove a little counter-productive and tricky I will continue with a whole body approach I'm not keen on injuring my back either - previously suffered with sciatica and do not want to go there again!
  
  Has anyone tried the 30 day shred?

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• firsttimersluck member

  

  February 2013

  In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_getting-shape_advice-please-toning-up-your-back?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:238Discussion:0622b07f-91e7-4f92-b646-552b77693a78Post:f1cf0561-f644-4887-823b-a257be8e27a0">Re:Advice please: toning up your back!</a>:
  [QUOTE]In Response to Re:Advice please: toning up your back!: Everything I've read and heard from the trainers at my gym say that flexing the lower back past a straight line can actually increase your chances of back injury. Wouldn't this exercise be doing exactly that?
  Posted by StageManager14[/QUOTE]
  
  <div>
  </div><div>YUP! This is sooo very true. It's equivalent to doing a squat and letting your knees go past your toes.</div><div>It can be incredibly dangerous. </div><div>
  </div><div>
  </div><div>
  </div>

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• firsttimersluck member

  

  February 2013

  Oh, and Rae you are allowed to mention what diet you're on You just can't be a vendor is all. I haven't tried any work out DVDs but all the ladies here have an expansive knowledge on that topic! 

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• RaeCharlieB

  

  February 2013

  I am very glad to be able to tap into all your extensive knowledge!
  
  It's the Slimming World diet i'm on - really really good and none of this feeling hungry or depriving yourself of certain foods
  
  30 DS sounds well worth a go, even if I need to go easier on certain aspects of it...
  
  As for the gym... we will have to see! Haha... am such a chicken.
  
  

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• firsttimersluck member

  

  February 2013

  I totally understand being a chicken. THat's what got my into taking group x classes. 

  Now I just walk around the weight room like I'm a complete b**ch and no one bugs me :P haha

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