At-home

Flatten your tum with Pilates

Celebrity trainer Jane Wake's unique Pilates method shrinks and flattens areas mere sit-ups can only dream about. Here are the moves you need

Rise onto your toes, arms out

1. Standing balance into roll down

This move acts as a warm-up, while getting you to focus on your inner core. Repeat 6 to 10 times at the start of your workout to help you focus on your inner core.

The move: Stand with your feet hip-width apart, engaging your inner core. Rise up onto your toes, and lift your arms out to shoulder height.

Roll down and draw in your belly button

Exhale and come down off your toes, then tuck your chin into your chest as you roll down vertebra by vertebra. Draw your abdomen in and use your abs to lift back up.

Focus on relaxing your back muscles as you roll down and drawing your belly button in as you lift and lower. Use deep, slow breaths and try to relax as much as you can.

Zest Tip

Do a circuit of these exercises three to five times a week for best results.

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Discuss this story

Suzanne Brewer

Oh blimey, I don't know about anyone else but I have difficulty remembering the instructions whilst trying to correctly perform these moves - I end up taking twice as long and holding my breath!

PILATES DVD FOR A BEGINNER ....... can anyone please recommend one to me? I want to STRENGHTEN/TONE my CORE and if it slims my thighs then that's a bonus, hehe!

Many thanks!

Posted: 30/04/2012 at 21:29

Juliet Allen 2

Hi Suzanne - I was exactly the same as you, ended up with headaches from too much breathing and holding positions (at the wrong time!).

I can recommend Solomon Yogalates, it's superb and I now practise it once a week. I feel leaner, calmer and much more flexible plus it gives a great sense of wellbeing. It's really easy to pick up and doesn't matter if you can't hold a certain position because you're in the comfort of your own living room. It's on Amazon for £3.99 at the moment http://www.amazon.co.uk/Yogalates-Firm-Fit-Flexible-DVD/dp/B000BX6FPK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1336467832&sr=8-3 - give it a go, I think you'll like it.

Posted: 08/05/2012 at 10:07

Suzanne Brewer

Hi Juliet, many thanks for that, I'm glad to know I'm not alone - I've so many Zest 'at home work out plans' but always have a bit of trouble reading/performing them which is why I'm a huge fan of exercises DVD's.

I will check out your recommendation, in the meantime I've just received a "Pilates for Dummies" dvd from Amazon which is very similar to a Ballet conditioning dvd I already have from the makers "Element". I can't wait to try it out and hope it helps flatten my tum and generaly make me a little leaner/toned - no matter how much Davina and Jillian Michaels dvd's I w/o to I still haven't achieved a more leaner/toned mid-section which I think is because I've not effectively strengthened my core but instead used my hip flexors. I think if I can 'master' strengthening my core then this will go a long way to achieving the results I'm after - fingers crossed!

I certainly feel inspired by your reply - thank you!

Kind regards, Suzanne

Posted: 08/05/2012 at 14:41

Emelie

hello, this is just what ive been looking for..... advice to get rid of the muffin top! im healthy and fit, gym and play hockey, but still cnat shift that muffin top, and im off to mexico in 11 weeks, need to shift it.... any ideas or advice?

Posted: 04/09/2012 at 10:53

Laura Daniels

I do a lot of sit ups and flat stomach excersise and i have lost a few inches of my stomach ! :)

Posted: 24/01/2013 at 17:38

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