Does anyone know of a sensible and flexible core strength building routine that can be varied in intensity over the month. I've got problem periods so am taking big prescription painkillers some of the time, plus I slipped a disc 15 years ago. I need to keep these exercises up on a regular basis but I frequently have to hang up my hat exercise wise as I'm at risk of doing myself a proper injury. Which is pants, as you'll imagine.

If I was a horse, I would be shot.

Sometimes even yoga and pilates can be a killer so I'd appreciate some advice. I've actually found that some running, combined with some core stuff helps me shift the weight wonderfully, but as soon as I pick up an injury I'm up a certain creek without a certain instrument....

As I'm 36 and officially not dead yet, I'm rather keen not to seize up!

... I knew I'd get ANOTHER opportunity sooner or later to post ANOTHER photo of my lovely pink Gymball! Just sitting on it without falling off will exercise muscles you didn't know you had Christine.

Ok, I'm inspired - bought one of those gym balls a while ago, but didn't know what to do with it. EVEN I can sit on it! Great stuff!

Good! But I haven't told you the next bit

Next you have to not fall off while you lift your feet straight out in front of you. BTW I got mine for nothing from Freeshare from someone who kept falling off it!

hi Christine , sorry to read about your back. i think you should visit a good physio to assess what you can and cant do. they hopefully would give you the correct progressive routine and you wont do anymore damage. good luck x

Actually have done that to solve all the various nipped nerve problems that I had (my right hip was a particular winner) and still do the exercises to loosen all that up quite regularly but was doing a lot of pilates and yoga at the time so didn't get a routine for core strength. Can't do that at the moment as have also got a tricky knee, walking and running is okay, kneeling is not!

I think I'll give the gym ball a shot.

hi again, pilates and yoga are very good core strength exercises, keep at it x

I agree with Paul

Pilates over time done properly helps

Paul, good article on you in body and Soul !

hi Pippa, thanks very much, well done to you too! Must say one bit was wrong, i've not given up alcahol but cut down about 90%!

Check these out, you can progress at your own pace and will notice the improvement in a short period of time:

http://www.brianmac.co.uk/corestabex.htm

I do agree with Paul, Pilates is very good and will help with stretching also.

I went for only the 2nd time today and managed to touch my toes, I've never been able to do that before due to tight hamstring muscles.

Oh really Paul.....so you will only be having 1 beer at your BBQ on Sunday then!!!! Ju Ju x

Yes, well done Paul and Pippa. What's it like to be famous??? Mine got pinned up on the noticeboard in work last month!

thanks Jaki Yes I was really suprised when the health club emailed me and even more scared about the interview and the photo session with the chap who took pics of George the breakdancer which appeared in the Sun the next day. I was fed up with smiling by the end but looking forward to Champneys !

hi JuJu, ah, thats a special occasion, my 1st fathers day innit x

One of the exercises in circuit class yesterday was The Plank with straight arms onto a gym ball.... I can feel my abs today.