Ok I understand that this sounds completely cheesy but I am 21 and it is almost swimsuit season. I am not ashamed of my scars at all however it seems like I can never tone my stomach at all. Please dont think I am completely superficial becuase I realize I sound like Barbie. I never really post on here just read great advice and thank you all for that. My question is if anyone has any success not really with diets but with stomach toning....it seems like I can do 4 million crunches and it doesnt even start to feel like it is working. I understand that some of my stomach muscles are cut but there has got to be something to help. I am one of those info-mercial junkies so I have lots of products but I still have the pudge also! Just anyones thoughts or experiences would be awesome.

Thanks to all!

allie

I don't really have any advice for you.... but I just wanted to add that I've had this problem too.
I used to do sit-ups every day trying to tone my stomach and could not get it toned enough.
However, I still wore a bikini with pride. My stomach was pretty flat but had a little pudge on the bottom too.
Wear a bikini if you're comfortable. =)

If you want to get the little pudge at the bottom, I recommend Pilates (done properly). It really focuses on your core (which is lower than most people think) and gets that tricky area. Crunches are good for the upper part but don't really get the lower abs. When I was doing Pilates every day I had a nice little eight pack going (and yes, that was after all my abdominal surgeries)

Of course if you have extra fat on top of the muscle your definition won't show. You have to do cardio to burn the fat off first so the toned muscle can shine through.

If you lived here I'd get you in one of my dance classes and you'd definitley feel those stomach muscles being worked! Happy toning!

thank you so much for the advice, I will have to try Pilates- maybe i will find Pilates for dummies lol I love to run but in house exercise bores me.