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Debbie,

First take a look at my answer to Question #12 to better understand the muscles of your torso.

ABDOMINAL MUSCLE STRENGTHENING

Your abdominal muscles are the ones which hold you upright comfortably.  There are several sets of muscles which criss-cross and weave around your trunk to add strength and stability.  I thought you might need some ideas about holding up and in all the holiday goodies.

This exercise used to be called a sit-up.  Many people still can and will do them, but for daily use the so-called "crunch" is as effective and less likely to strain muscles.  Lying on your back, knees bent, put your arms down at your sides, palm down.  Note where your fingertips are resting.  Raise your chest, head and neck up enough so that your shoulder blades just barely touch the floor and your fingertips move forward no less than 2-3 inches (no cheating by lowering your shoulders!)  Lie back down.  Repeat up to 12 times.

Now, to reverse crunch for your lower abdominals, lie on your back, knees bent, and bring your bent legs up almost to your chest and let them back down slowly to touch the ground.  Repeat up to 12 times.

To work the criss-cross muscles, lie on your back, knees bent, and while "crunching up" bring your right elbow toward your left bent knee.  Then do the left elbow to the right knee.  10 times.

Turn over to your abdomen.  Put a small towel under your chin, cheek or forehead to keep your neck comfortable.  Lift your straight left arm overhead and your straight right leg toward the ceiling, 10 times.  Repeat with your right arm and left leg.  This one works the backside of your trunk muscles. Roll over and get up slowly and carefully as your blood pressure will need a
moment to reorganize.

(More help available in "Exercise a la Carte" at your bookstore or
call 800-624-4952)

George L. Dixon, Jr., M.D.