Yesterday marked the last day of the Skinny Ms. 7 Day Ab Challenge I decided to complete. I did every single day listed and every single move as describe, shown, and instructed. I included some of the info for the moves below. However I did not include everything. They have a full set of instructions along with videos to describe all of the moves. Please visit there for complete details on the actual challege.

My thoughts?

Overall I thought it was fun to challenge myself in some way. I do focus a lot on my core and abs in general but this was very structured.

SUNDAY– Complete 1 Circuit = 200 reps…move from one exercise to the next with little to no rest.
Bicycle Crunch – 50 reps (25 each side)
Reverse Crunch – 50 reps
Mason Twist – 50 reps (25 each side)
Leg Lifts – 25 reps
Push Through – 25 reps

Last Sunday was exciting, the first day. I was familiar with all of those moves so it seemed like a breeze.I also ran 3.2 miles prior to completing this day’s moves and I was able to get through it pretty easily.

MONDAY – 8 Minute ABS, Level One

Foot to Foot Crunch – 30 reps
Alternating Curls – 30 reps
Recovery – 30 seconds
Push Through – 30 reps
4 Time Abs – 30 reps
Recovery – 30 seconds
Arm Reaching Crunch – 30 reps
Leg Up Touch Crunch – 30 reps
Recovery – 30 seconds
Cross On Crunch – 30 reps
Double Crunch – 30 reps

Monday was slightly more challenging. I had to watch the video first to make sure I knew how to do all of the moves. My abs were sore at the end but they were not sore on Tuesday.

As a matter of fact the soreness did not carry over into any of the following days.

TUESDAY

Routine #1
Mountain Climbers – 20 seconds
Rest – 10 seconds
Sissors – 20 seconds
Rest – 10 seconds
Knees In and Out – 20 seconds
Rest – 10 seconds
V-Ups – 20 seconds
Rest – 1 minute

Routine #2
Toe Touch – 20 seconds
Rest – 10 seconds
Air Bike – 20 seconds
Rest – 10 seconds
4 Time Abs – 20 seconds
Rest – 10 seconds
Prone Plank – 20 seconds
Rest – 10 seconds

Tuesday was also fairly easy for me. I do most of those moves regularly. My v-ups were a little uncoordinated but I did them. I was tired by the end, but I wasn’t dead. I still worked out and did 30 minutes on the elliptical.

WEDNESDAY – Rest/Recovery Day

Wednesday I did rest my abs. I still did a workout I just did not do any specific core work.

THURSDAY…Complete 3 circuits – move from one exercise to the next with little to no rest.
Flutter Kicks – 30 reps (15 each side)
Side V-ups – 20 reps (10 each side)
Push Through – 30 reps

Thursday was very boring for me. By the 3rd push through I was so bored and wanting it to be over. A different set of moves for these 3 circuits would have better suited me. I don’t like push-throughs at all. I am not sure why, I just don’t.

FRIDAY
Foot to Foot Crunch – 30 reps
Alternating Curls – 30 reps
Recovery – 30 seconds
Push Through – 30 reps
4 Time Abs – 30 reps
Recovery – 30 seconds
Arm Reaching Crunch – 30 reps
Leg Up Touch Crunch – 30 reps
Recovery – 30 seconds
Cross On Crunch – 30 reps
Double Crunch – 30 reps

Friday was Monday all over again, 8 Minute Abs. It kept my attention a little better because I was following the video they provided.

SATURDAY
Side Plank – 20 (10 each side)
Rest – 10 seconds
Side Burpees – 10 reps (5 each side)
Rest – 30 seconds
Plank – Hold 1 minute
No rest
Mason Twist – 50 reps (25 each side)

Saturday was also rather easy. I thought for sure that my abs would be on fire by Saturday. They were not. I think that Saturday could have been more than one set of those. Perhaps 3 circuits again? With the Mason Twist I did use an 8lb weight for added challenge.

I have to attribute the lack of sore tired abs to the fact that I do so much core work regularly. This must have not been a challenge for them in general. I mean my abs do look nice. I was trying on some outfits yesterday and stopped to think that while standing in my bra and jeans. So I am not complaining. I don’t know if it is just how they look or if this made some difference. It was fun to challenge myself to follow through on completing each day, regardless of any boredom I felt. Sure there were times in this challenge that I was tired while doing the moves. 8 minute abs in particular. I was burning. The burn just did not follow me around once I was done working. This challenge may have been better suited for someone who doesn’t regularly do Pilates and other core work. I do, several times a week, almost daily.

I would say if you are not core obsessed and are looking for something to help improve your abs then give this a shot. And if you do a lot of core work already like me, what is the harm in doing this challenge too? That is how I feel. There was no harm done. I may not be burning but it did help to keep my abs toned. Bottom line, toning is toning. I could always do this again and up the work load.

I would and most likely will complete another challenge of theirs in the future. It was fun to make an effort to do this. They do have month long challenges. I wonder if I would have the stamina to complete one of those? They seem to be more about eating though. We will see if one ever piques my interests. If it does and I decide to give it a shot I will write about it, success or failure!

I included some of the info for the moves above, as you read. However, I did not include everything. They have a full set of instructions along with videos to describe all of the moves. Please visit there for complete details on the actual challenge.