I need some ideas for low impact, low aerobic exercises to help improve my posture and to help strengthen my ab muscles. I have a post c-section hernia that is inoperable, and my DR says the only thing I can really do about it is to strengthen the muscles around it. She wanted to send me for physical therapy but my insurance won't pay for it and I can't afford it out of pocket...

YOGA! I know that sounds totally weird because everyone thinks you have to twist your self into a pretzel, but that is only the case with advanced yoga poses. Get a begginers yoga book or one that talks about yoga for bad backs. I was having all kinds of issues with my back, shoulders, knees and feet. After I started doing yoga, I saw an immediate change in the way I felt. My joints stopped hurting and my back improved too. I had been having low back pain issues for years. Yoga helps to strenghthen muscles as well as increase circulation, lubricate joints, and help with your overall nervous system. Plus it is low impact and is relaxing to do. Tai Chi is also good because it is low impact and works the whole body.  Good Luck!

I agree on the yoga.  You just can't beat yoga for all-around great exercise. I posted more details about my yoga experience on the yoga thread in this forum.

I don't know if you're looking for a book or would prefer a video. Personally, I'm a "vidiot!"  I exercise to workout videos.  They're awesome, and no it's not the same cheesy stuff that was around in the early 80s.  You can get some very solid workouts on video all in the privacy of your own home.

There is so much out there on video!  It sounds like you need primarily to strengthen your core. Some immediate DVDs that come to mind are things by Tracey Staehle and Fitness Fix DVDs, which are very much geared toward core strengthening.  Core work doesn't mean endless crunches, sit ups, etc. 

If you're interested, click the link in my sig line.  That'll take you to videofitness.com.  There really is no place else on the net where you can get such comprehensive information on all things work out video related.  The forum is excellent and your best bet would be to post your needs.  You'll get some great recommendations. 

If you're wanting to try videos but not invest a lot of money, I know several people on the videofitness forum who use Netflix or PBS's sister site, swappadvd.com to get their videos. 

HTH!

Bren: not to be flip about the need for exercise, but the cheapest one I've ever heard of is the doctor who gave his patient a BIG bottle of pills and told him to take them--------how?   spill 'em out on the floor, and pick 'em up, ONE by ONE.   Do that  twice each day . . . .

You can't get any cheaper exercise than that, right?

Well my DR DID convince my insurance to cover a month of physical therapy, although it's only once a week. The therapist is great, she has given me several exercises to do every day. On top of that I am now doing Walk Away the Pounds and I'm feeling a lot better, although not showing any visible improvement yet, I do have a lot more energy.

Bren, almost every exercise can be done with low impact if you modify them. However, specifially for what you might need, I think the BOSU ball would be an option for you. Ask your therapist what she thinks. The BOSU ball is great for posture and it works your core because you are constantly keeping balance on the ball.

I agree with the yoga..in fact I've slacked off exercise for so long that I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed yoga!

walking is also good..I like leslie sansone's walking dvds/videos..the ones with the knee lifts and kicks and she says to hold in the t ummy muscles so they're always 'engaged'..not as drastic as situps but less stressful.

I was at weight watchers this morning and there's a lifetime member who's an avid walker..she walks across america! yep, she keeps track of her  miles she walks each day in the neighborhood , treadmill or whatever and logs them. then every 6 months she figures her total and gets out a map and figures where she wants to go and sees  how far there she is! I thought that sounded really cool and since I've started listening to audio books I'm thinking it would be really cool to set aside certain books and see how many books I 'read'!

Bren, continue with Walk Away the Pounds. My DD and I started out with that one too. A year ago I had lower back surgery and continued to have problems with muscle spasms (and therapy was very painful). A month ago, we started to workout to Leslie Sansone's dvd. I now feel stronger,  can walk without limping, I get quality sleep (no tossing and turning due to pain), and DD and I now need clothes in a smaller size. Just this weekend, we upgraded to a more difficult level of intensity (4Fast Miles). DD has started on You Can Do Pilates also by Leslie and just loves it! Even my Dr. noticed a difference and has reduced my meds (pain, depression). You are well on your way to a stronger body! Don't give up:)

-Carol

So glad you are getting therapy and doing better

I agree with doing Leslie Sansone dvds--- the various  WALK AWAY THE POUNDS ones she has out   are good and also her earlier ones she called WALK AEROBICS.  I have a lot of exercise tapes but hers are the ones that I use because they are  easy simple moves yet very effective.

I too think yoga is a great workout. I really enjoy QuickFix workout DVDs. They are all broken down into 10 minute segments. You can do 1, 2, or 3 and in any order you want. They are great together or alone. I have 3 or 4 of their different ones and I love all of them. I started out with QuickFix Power Yoga, and seen a big difference right away. This is their website.

Pilates. They are a wonderful, not quite yoga form of low impact exercise. Grab a workout DVD, there are hundreds of them and give a beginner routine a try.  I like Ana Caban's series and the Windsor series. You might have a few moves you need to eliminate, like the rolling back in a ball stuff (LOL), but most will be fine. The focus is on using and strengthening your core (like the ball exercises a PP suggested) which then spills over into strengthening your whole body. Love 'em. And I hate exercise.

Hey:)

For exercise haters I totally recommend the Gazelle (yeah the Tony Little wacky guy as seen on tv) I got one of these off freecycle and it is great! I have neuropathy so my legs and knees can't take a lot of impact. I used to be a runner but can't do it anymore.  Time flies on this thing, is easy to do 1/2 hour while watching tv and not know it. I work up a good sweat and get to my target heart rate. Calories burned in one hour (this rates average rate, so if you are heavier you will burn more) for 1/2 hour is 260 calories. The gazelle rates the 1/2 hour at an average stride as 2 miles moving for me anyway, about 4.6 miles an hour. They seel new at wally world for about 85$. Best of all it is fun and it also improves balance. I have been losing weight for the past year (65 pounds), exercising too, and this is working my upper body and waist real well!

Carole