I am an 18 year old female. I am 5'8'' and weigh 135lbs. I am not overweight or anything, but I would like to get toned up. I have designed my own daily exercise routine. * 200 sit-ups* 100 pike ups* 50 push-ups* 10 minutes jump roping* 50 dips* 100 plies for ballet
( 20 in each position) * Stretch
I have a flat stomach and eat a pretty healthy diet and everything, but I want to get in better shape. How long do you think it will be before I start to see results if I do this every day?
-Thank you

Me personally when I first started working out I waited two months to start checking on my progress. If you look everyday you will not see a change and possibly get discouraged and stop working out. Also you have to change your Routine up after a while or you will just be maintaining your shape not changing it.

I heard that you can start seeing tone in as little as 3 weeks. Is that possible?

Yes three weeks is very possible. If you do measure and weigh yourself and only see a little difference don't get discouraged just wait another 3 weeks and check again. Now after a few months if you don't change up your routine (like adding another 10 minutes to your cardio) you will stay the same. Plus doing the same routine gets to be boring.

Oh one more thing working out is all about quality not quantity. It's all about your form don't over work yourself if you can't do all 200 sit-ups don't force it or you are just going to end up hurting yourself.

I was planning on doing them in sets of 50 :)

Wow daily? Actually, you don't really need to work your abs that often to see changes. In fact, it may even be counter productive. Your abdominals are muscles. When you work out you are tearing the fibers in the muscle and then they need to rest. During a day of rest they recuperate and rebuild stronger and look bulkier.

Now, with that out the way. I also want to add that it doesn't matter if you're 135lbs.. the visibility of your abs depends on the amount of bodyfat percentage. You can be slim and have a high amount of body fat. I don't remember the right number but I think women have to be down to about 10% bodyfat to start seeing abs.

I think it would be fine to do less ab work. Maybe every other day... Honestly, you can do so much less and still get amazing results. The key is that you have to make sure that you are pushing yourself further each day in regards to intensity, and that you are using proper form. Try to add some weights to your ab workouts and really feel it. Then make sure you're getting enough protein in your diet to support building new muscle, and let it rest.

As far as time goes, like I said... it depends on your bodyfat %.. You can do a million situps daily, but if your bodyfat isn't right.. It won't show! The muscle will be there, but under a layer of fat. (Not calling you fat by the way, but people naturally hold fat).

Assuming your bodyfat is fine, and you're working out correctly.. It may take about 2 months to see any significant change. May be sooner.. Who knows.. every body is different! You change daily so I think you should just track your progress with pictures.

Goodluck!