Nothing can cramp your style more than a muffin top or back fat hanging over your bra. I have never had a 6-pack, even before kids, but I am as close as I have ever come. Jackie Warner got me started with her Crunch Free Abs Dvd which I love and recently reviewed. http://www.amazon.com/Personal-Training-Jackie-Crunch-Free-Xtreme/dp/B0040GJ916/ref=sr_1_3?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1300977137&sr=1-3.
Jillian Michael’s has something similar to Jackie’s workout which I am loving, Jillian’s Six Week 6-Pack Abs. Jillian’s dvd is a little bit faster paced than Jackie’s so I don’t enjoy it quite as well but my heart rate is certainly high. Jillian also talks about working out in a more negative manner than Jackie so it seems more laborious. http://www.amazon.com/Jillian-Michaels-6-Week-Six-Pack/dp/B0042AGNB4/ref=sr_1_1?s=dvd&ie=UTF8&qid=1300976804&sr=1-1
These ab workouts are phenomenal for overall fitness. Both trainers really focus on your core, rather than just your ab muscles, so you develop a nice lower back and hamstring area as well. These also work your arms because you do a lot of “chopping and twisting”. I use 5 lb weights with both dvds but might switch to 3lbs with Jillian because my back hurt after the last time I did the workout. I like that Jillian offers two levels – Jackie has two different workouts. Both dvds provide an advanced and modified version.
The other wonderful thing is that I was paying $25 a class and going to classes 5 times a week. These dvds can be had for less than $10 on Amazon and you can use them time and again. I also have better results from these dvds than from the Ab Ripper workout that comes with P90X or from doing Physique 57.
For me, it is important to feel good about myself when I catch a glimps in the mirror while working out. As such, I have searched far and wide for something other than yoga pants to put on while I work out. I love the way shorts look and feel. Because I travel a lot on business and don’t have much room in my luggage, I like these adidas or five fingers for working out on the road.
