Womens Health Australia September 2017

COMPILED BY TARA ALI. PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES; STOCKSY

SERIOUSLY, ANYTHING AT ALL...

ASK US

ANYTHING

I gave

birth 18

months

ago and

I’ve still

got a

mummy

tummy.

How can

I tighten

it up?

OKatie, via email

Transverse abdominus

(TA) activation is key, as

it’s the muscle that acts

like a corset and keeps

everything held in. The

moves to help tone your

tum are pelvic bridges,

toe taps (lie on your back,

knees and hips bent at

90 degrees, abs braced,

and alternate tapping

your toes down on the

ground), mini sit-ups

(curling up to lift only

your shoulder blades off

the ground) and planks.

Whichever you choose,

focus on drawing your

belly button down to

your spine – this will help

keep your TA active while

you move. Remember to

get the all clear from your

GP before doing any ab

work after having a baby.

BROOK E BEVAN

WHY DO I GET

PAINFUL TOE

CRAMPS IN BED?

OCecily, via Facebook

ANSWER Magnesium

deficiency, thyroid issues

and a host of other medical

problems can cause cramps

in the legs and feet, but most

people have no discernible

cause. So it’s unlikely there’s

something horrible going

on. Assuming you’re in the

‘unknown cause’ category,

what can you do to stop

them? Many of my patients

find taking magnesium

supplements helpful. Also try

leg stretches before bed, as

well as sleeping with your

doona untucked so your feet

can stretch and move.

DR GINNI MANSBERG

14 womenshealth.com.au SEPTEMBER 2017