Ideas for toning mummy tummy

I currently do no excercise and never really have, but want to strengthen my stomach muscles before getting pregnant again. I had separated abdo muscles with #2- the gap was as wide as my hand. Its now completely closed up, but I really want to improve my muscles and want to know the best ways without spending lots of money or having to go to the gym- I havent the time/$/inclination to do that!
What has worked for u?

Trying to get out and walk everyday (I know not possible for some people!) has helped me get a flat tum, also we have an ab circle that seems to help! And DP makes me do weights with him every 2nd night which includes doing things to help the abs! It kills me but i enjoy it! Good luck!

Planks!!!! They are the best thing for toning your tummy and they also work on the sides as well... Kinda hard to do but to start with you rest on your fore arms with your elbows at 90 degrees so your elbows are right under your shoulders then go up on your toes, bum down so that you form a 'plank'... Trick is to keep your body as straight as possible, once you can't keep on your toes anymore you can drop down to your knees but still keep you body as straight as possible and bum down.. If this makes no sense try googling it for a better description

Zumba works really well. Hasn't shifted the mummy fat on top yet but underneath my whole core muscles are fab.

The more you get into the twisting moves the more of the waist & muscles up under your ribs are toned as well.

Thanks everyone. I was thinking of seeing if I could get an appt at the hospital with the phyio I had after having Aiden- my hips/pelvis were out of alignment and she also gave me excercise for the abdo muscle gap.

Im very keep to get into zumba, so might give that a go plus those planks I can do while still looking after the kids, awesome! I might look for a second hand zumba dvd- dont need the whole pack, just want one to get me started so I dont look so unco when I go!

How do I know its the right size? I have a very small one which I find useless, and borrowed one of my parents for when pregnant/during labour- but when sitting on it my feet dont touch the floor!

on the box of mine it says
S=5'0 to 5'5 ball size 22'/55'cm
M=5'6 to 5'11 ball size 26'/65cm
L=6'0 to 6'3 ball size 30'/75cm

I got The Firm core stability ball from the warehouse & it has a dvd & pump also, can not remember the price could of been around $30ish

kiwi2 wrote: I just ate until it filled out again and got firm. lol. Not the right type of firm though. Sorry not much help.

Hehe!