I have a cyst on my lower back. The doc said to not do anything that would irritate it. That includes crunches. I'm really getting out of shape. Especailly my love handles.. is there a way 2 get my flat stomach back with out crunches? :(

Is it the laying on your back that causes the irritation, or is it the "crunching" of your torso?

And technically, leaning out is the way to go. Exercising your abdomen won't help all that much with body fat.

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Originally Posted by danni2123

I have a cyst on my lower back. the doc said to not do anything that would irritate it. that includes crunches. im really getting out of shape. especailly my love handles..is there a way 2 get my flat stomach back with out crunches? :(

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It's the rocking back and forth that irriates it. So I was thinking if I started running it would help my overall body. I just know that I've gained a lot of weight in my stomach and love handles.

The midsection is just an area of the human body where excess fat is stored. By training your entire body, you can set your metabolism up to use that fat as an energy source and it will begin to disappear.

You can still do crunches though if you have an overhead pulley or if you go to a gym. You just pull the cable down and rest it against your shoulders from a standing position. Then, you do a crunch while you're standing up, with the weight from the pulley serving as the resistance.

But again, this will only serve to keep your abdomen strong and svelte... to lean out and trim your midsection, you'll have to train your entire body properly.