BARBARA, arts, educational & cultural consultant: Your question dredged up memories from my past. I can hear my dear mother saying, "Pull in your stomach. Pull in your stomach!" It was like a mantra. I got pretty good at doing it too. I could go around all day working, cleaning, walking to the bus stop or whatever else I needed to do with my abs pulled in. Back then, I didn't have a problem with my midsection.

I think that was part of my mother's logic. She knew something it would take me years to learn. You don't have to wait till you've got a problem. "Pull in your stomach" was her way of saying, tighten and train those abdominal muscles and stand up straight. But, that was then, and this is now.

Just like you, I need some help firming my middle, so here are a few suggestions:

1) "Body: 100 Tips for a Better Body," by Carol Morley and Liz Wilde, Time Warner Books, 2001, says "About 80 percent of back problems are caused by weak muscles. Pilates is an exercise that strengthens the muscles through a series of slow, controlled movements centering on the abdomen. It does wonders for a weak back (and saggy stomach) because before every movement, you need to tuck in your pelvis and hold it steady, which means serious middle-body strengthening."

2) Abs of Steel is a great overall video workout. Beginning with a high-intensity aerobic workout, it moves on to abdominal floor exercises.

3) Crunches work if they are done properly. You can find instructions for them in most fitness books.

4) Prevention (magazine), February 2003 article, "Skip the Crunches and Still Get a Flat Belly" by Serene Yeager, personal trainer and contributing editor has over half a dozen flat abs cures or try www.prevention.com So, if you want to look better, stand straighter, avoid low back pain and keep your organs neatly packaged, you are wise to start on an abdominal improvement plan immediately.

My mom had the right idea. Start working those abs now, and before you know it, summer will be here and you'll be ready for it.

Posted April 02, 2003 06:06 AM