feeling good but no real "change"

janny · Joined: 06 Feb 2008 Posts: 3 Location:

I just love my Aero Pilates machine!!! I have been using the cardio rebounder every other day and the level 1 video on the other days. I feel good and can see some great muscle definition in my arms after just 5 weeks. :D I have one quick question about my abs. I had 3 c sections so there is alot of "flab" around my abs. I can feel the strength inside but sitll have that "flab" on the outside. Does it ever go away?? Will it be another 5 or 6 weeks before I see those results?? Just wondering if someone else is going through what I am. My pants feel a little tighter as it seems the muscle is pushing more of the "flab" out. :cry: Does that make sense?? Someone out there let me know
Thanks
Janny

mrsbob · Joined: 29 Apr 2007 Posts: 103 Location:

Hi Janny....I know it must be frustrating to do all that work and still have the flab. But the truth is, abs are made in the kitchen and you can't out train bad nutrition. It's just the naked truth. The good news is, keep up the good work with your workouts and clean up your diet and after you diet off the flab, you are going to have some beautiful lean muscle definition! You might also want to incorporate more cardio into your workouts. Good luck to you!

sandy · Joined: 24 Jan 2007 Posts: 101 Location:

yeah. pilates will flatten the ab muscles, but diet is the only thing (and cardio) that will get rid of the flab that is covering them. i have the same situation and have found that rebounding is really making a difference...! rebound and eat a low fat diet and you will be happy with the results.

if it's just loose skin, nothing but plastic surgery (tummy tuck) will get rid of excess skin...but fat and muscle can be dealt with using the pilates along with a good diet... have to rebound regularly.

janny · Joined: 06 Feb 2008 Posts: 3 Location:

I appreciate your advice....and have been "rebounding" every day this week to help the situation. My diet isn't the greatest and I have been really concentrating on that this week as well. I know stress does not help either, but I am hoping to tackle thses issues as I want my flat stomache back!!
Thanks again for your help...always good to hear from others!
Janny

Krystlhawk · Joined: 29 Jan 2007 Posts: 25 Location:

Janny ! Hows is going ???
I gotta tell you, even as a bartender I have strong arms, but in one week, I have whole new definition on a side of my arms I never saw.
Development comes where there is bone. Sadly, our stomaches will be the last to take shape.
I am starting AGAIN today.
I have an exercise ball, the rebounder, I wish I had the stand, I can't afford it, this will make it easier for me to get off the floor.anyway.let me know how you are doing ! I had a C-cetion 4 years ago, great skin, I am 46, and I am seeing a little change on my sides from the work I did 2 weeks ago.

Becky · Joined: 17 Mar 2008 Posts: 95 Location:

Janny,

The level 1 exercises started the phase of fat to muscle for me but, personally, I found that when I advanced to the second level I could actually see a tremendous difference. After just two weeks I had a visual of ABS!!! My eating habits are not the greatest, by far, but when I saw abs that this body hasn't seen in decades I was truly sold 100% on Pilates and the cardio rebounder.

Best of luck to you, Janny! If I can do this and produce changes for a better me than anyone can!

Becky

janny · Joined: 06 Feb 2008 Posts: 3 Location:

Thanks for all of the advice ! It does help to hear from ohters. I have not moved on to level 2 yet.........but I have finally started to lose some weight (8 lbs) Yea me!!! I did have to tweak my diet and I added more protein to my diet. Marjolein has been a great help...I e-mailed her and then she called me and we spoke for a while. Since I was rebounding every day, she felt that it was my diet. I have hit another plateau, but my pants are no longer tight! That is a good thing. I will continue to rebound every day and next week my goal is to advance to the level 2 DVD. I will keep you posted on my results!
Thanks again!

sjkitty · Joined: 24 May 2008 Posts: 22 Location:

Janny,

Keep up the great work! Just remember your body did not become like this in a day. Persistence will pay off.

Something that I do on a daily basis is keep a food diary. Write down everything you eat, even if it is just a snack or handfull of something. You can use this to analyze your trouble spots and thereby eliminte them more quickly, giving you better results.

Eating a clean diet will make a major difference on your energy level and on the benefits of your pilates routines. I have had a c-section, three other full term deliveries and a hysterectomy, and believe me when I tell you this, a flat tummy is possible, but it will be the last to go because as women, that is where we put on the weight first: the hips and tummy. Just because you cannot see it yet means nothing. Toning and tightening to the underlying muscle is taking place.

Keep this in mind when you go to eat something and when you are doing your pilates: NOTHING FEELS AS GOOD AS BEING SLIM AND HEALTHY FEELS!