Look what we have here! Another post cataloging some of my favorite exercises for different body parts. In this post, I will focus on that area we all want to work efficiently. The abs! The traditional plank will always reign supreme as my top tummy tigthener and core stengthener, but you will regularly find me completing the following ten moves for my abdominals as well. Enjoy!

Stability Ball Roll-Outs

Kneel with a stability ball in front of you. Place your hands on the ball. Slowly roll your hands, then arms along the ball while keeping your back straight. Flow through the motion until you are extended like in the second photo above. Using control, return to start.

Stability Ball Roll-Ins

Place your feet/shins on a stability ball with your upper body in a straight arm plank position. Using your abs, pull your knees into your chest while your legs roll along the ball. Slowly return to start.

Medicine Ball Oblique Twists

Sit with your knees bent and lean back slightly while holding a medicine ball. Draw your belly button in and twist from side to side tapping your elbow down to the floor. Go from side to side, while keeping the movement controlled.

V-Crunch

Begin with your body in a “V” – legs out straight, arms extended overhead, and belly pulled in. Slowly bring everything in to the middle while rising up into a seated position. Return to start and repeat for reps.

Standard Bicycle Crunch

I don’t know why, but I love these and they never fail to get me. Twist your upper body so your elbow/shoulder are reaching toward the opposite knee. Using control, switch sides.

Oblique V Crunch

Similar to the V-Crunch above, but done with a focus on the oblique by completing the motion while sitting on the side, meaty portion of the derriere. Side note: I think that is the first time I have ever typed derriere on my blog. It was fun.

Spiderman Planks

These HURT! Start in a straight arm plank and hold for 10-15 seconds. Then complete 10-15 reps on one side by bringing your knee up towards your chest. Hold the standard plank another 10-15 seconds and finish with 10-15 reps on the opposite side. OUCH!

Boat Pose

Hang out in this position as long as you can stand it. If you last longer than 45 seconds, you beat me! Be sure to keep your abs tight and your lower back supported. And I just noticed – check out the seriousness on my face. Ha!

Bosu Cross Punch

I stole this idea from the Physique 57 workout DVD I received awhile ago. The unsteady surface, extended leg, and the crossing motion work it all, folks! It’s a good burn.

Decline Bench Crunch

Yet another that I love for some odd reason. I just feel it so much more than a standard crunch. I love using the decline bench for hip lifts too. Such a challenge!

More Fitness Posts of Interest:

• Achieving A Six-Pack: My Thoughts & Experience
• Favorite Back Exercises
• Favorite Triceps Exercises

As always, focus on training for strength, health, and function over appearance. A defined stomach is nice, but the core strength is what we really need. And don’t forget that I’m not a certified trainer, so please use any of the above information at your own discretion.

What is your favorite way to train your core? Any abs moves you hate?

Another week. Another Wednesday. Another chance to share meal ideas, food inspiration, and delicious creations through a What I Ate Wednesday post. That was the plan at least.

INSTEAD…no notable food worth blogging crossed my lips yesterday.

Yesterday morning I told my “I Feel Fat” thoughts to be damned and move out of the way so I could get on with life. INSTEAD…I battled the migraine of the century and still felt “off” all day long. I didn’t practice negative self-talk like the day before, but I certainly didn’t have the positive, healthy day I hoped for either.

I had no appetite, but finally decided I needed to eat so had my standard bowl of oats at a late 10 am in hopes of feeling better.

Instead…those oats made a reappearance less than an hour later. In the shower. Ick.

I knew then I needed to take it easy and even set out to nap for a couple of hours when the kids laid down for their naps.

Instead…neither child thought naps sounded like a good idea yesterday. Of course!

In the afternoon, I had a Skype chat with Love Grown Foods planned.

Instead…I spent my afternoon curled up in a ball on the couch waiting for the migraine to subside, which it finally did around dinner time.

Last Friday night I had the genius idea to go ahead and meal plan out an entire month of dinners. I took our staple meals that we have at least every few weeks – such as enchiladas or stir-fry - and scattered them across four weeks. I penciled in an easy night each week with things like breakfast for dinner or sandwiches. I accounted for one “entertainment night” a week for date nights, dinners out for social gatherings, or grabbing a pizza. I then dubbed one night each week as a night to try a new recipe. I adored this plan because it meant the inevitable Friday night anguish of meal planning and grocery list making wouldn’t have to drive me so crazy anymore.

For this week’s plan, Tuesday night equaled Mama Pea’s noodle bowl because we have already dubbed it a “staple meal”. 

Instead…the last thing I wanted to do was cook. The last thing I wanted Peter to do was cook and leave me with bedtime duty. 

Yet once I had my appetite back, I wanted FOOD. I wanted food like 10 minutes ago after only eating a bowl of oatmeal that didn’t stick and a couple handfuls of Kashi cereal the entire day. I wanted comfort. Instead of my planned bowl of vegetables, healthy fats, and whole grains, I ended up with…

chicken salad sandwich and chips from Atlanta Bread Company

So much for the meal plan this week. So much for getting back to “feeling like myself” yesterday. So much for a What I Ate Wednesday post that shares meal ideas, food inspiration, and delicious creations. But life doesn’t always turn out so nicely. Instead…it may hand you lemons disinfectant for your shower.

• Ever suffered a migraine?
• Give me an “instead” moment you’ve had recently. 🙂