Getting your tummy flat after having kids

Nicole · Post by **Nicole** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 4:46 pm

This was spurred on by the belly ring discussion, LOL. I am curious to know how other moms got their "old belly" back after having kids. I have tried for 5 years and mine is not going anywhere. Any suggestions?I do exercise and watch what I eat. I use the ab machine at the YMCA religiously. And, nothing. What I really hate is having to buy pants too big just to fit the waist. And buying long tops so they don't "scooch up" too high.This has been one of my pet peeves for a long time now. My friends that I have talked to, that look the same after having their kids, say that their body just "returned to normal". Sigh.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 2:01 am

Sigh. My first is three and my tummy never went back to where it was -- part of my problem is that my body fat has been rearranged by my medications, a condition called lipidostrophy. My legs and arms all got normal, but not my stomach.And now there's another one on the way. So I just give up. LOL

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 5:01 am

Try belly dancing. Your belly may not completely flatten out, but it will look better. It's also a great way to tone the rest of your body. There's a whole set of muscles in your abdomen that ab crunchers don't work, but belly rolls DO, especially belly rolls that start at your hips and move upwards.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 10:09 am

Pilates seems to do wonders. It also makes you rather strong.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 12:35 pm

I think it is genetic - some people just have flatter bellies. I hate them. I can't get rid of mine either, but I never had a super flat belly to begin with. I believe that reducing carbs might help, I think that carb weight tends to cluster around the middle of the body. I gained 40 pounds once and a high protein/low carb diet helped me lose 30 pounds, and I didn't even exercise. My little guy is only 14 months, so I haven't really gotten into trying to lose the baby fat yet; but I want to start up again. This time I am going to exercise and cut down on carbs, but I'm not going total Atkins. Are you doing aerobic stuff, too? Running always helped me stay in shape before I had kids. Aerobic stuff helps hit all fat areas at once. Anyway, from what I can see, you are beautiful just as you are.

Nicole · Post by **Nicole** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 2:46 pm

Aw. Thanks bee!I literally just, just started doing aerobics (like last week to be exact!). Tomorrow is my next class. We don't have Pilates or belly dancing at our Y, though. They did offer a Pilates class awhile back, but not too many were interested so it kind of faded away. I lift weights, which is great for arms and legs but not so much for the belly. So I did decide to add the aerobics, but I am so lazy. LOL I do try to watch the carbs. Really. But as far as counting them, I can't be bothered. I think alot about getting a tummy tuck, but it absolutely petrifies me, the thought of surgery. A lady I know is getting a tummy tuck in October, and I am anxious to see how she does. I know this all makes me sound so shallow, which I'm really not. I just miss the way I used to look. And I really would like that belly ring. LOL BTW, congrats Kerie on the upcoming baby! How much longer do you have to go?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 4:36 pm

I know what you mean about the tummy tuck! I always tell my husband I want one and he SCOFFS at me. (Maybe it's because I am scarfing a pint of Ben and Jerry's while I'm bemoaning my fat?) But I am also terrified of surgery. Did you ever see that Total Makeover show? I watched it and FREAKED out every time. Especially the liposuction - yikes!You have inspired me, now. I am getting up early tomorrow and doing my Cindy Crawford tape!When my kids squoosh me on the tummy and make fun of my squishiness and jello-like texture, I just say "That was your home for 9 months, and you stretched it out!" And that makes me realize that it is worth it, but I still do miss the old me.

Nicole · Post by **Nicole** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 4:50 pm

LMAO! My youngest son said to me, not so long ago, "Mommy, what happened to your belly button? Where is it?" I could never watch those Makeover shows, too gross. My mom watched "The Swan", and those women all wanted drastic change. I don't believe in going overboard like that. I always think of dying, and having people say that I left two children behind for vanity's sake. So I do nothing (but complain about it!). Have fun with Cindy tomorrow!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 12:38 am

AARGH! I didn't do it this morning! I had cramps instead. But there is still hope - naptime!

NewCrabber · Post by **NewCrabber** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 2:23 am

I know why you can't get rid of your belly!!!I was just doing a Google search and a hit for Go Ask Alice came up. While there, one thing led to another and I found this...~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Dear Alice,I am skinny and weigh 122 pounds and I am 5'7" tall. But I have a belly that just won't disappear, and I have been doing sit-ups for a month but my belly has not gotten smaller. What do you suggest for me to get a flat stomach. I am female and 15 years old (if that helps). Please help me! I really want a flat stomach!Sincerely,help Dear help, Alice doesn't like to be the bearer of bad news, but it simply is not possible for every human being to have a stomach as flat as some of the models we see in magazine and newspaper ads, on the sides of buses, and, well, just about everywhere. The fact of the matter is that a really flat stomach may not be in your genes! Among many other physical traits, a person's genetic makeup determines the shape of internal organs (e.g., stomach, intestines, liver, kidneys). Depending on these organs' shapes and sizes, they may or may not contribute to a slight roundedness of our stomachs. Another aspect of body shape under genetic control is body fat distribution. Your body may naturally store more fat around your waist than in other areas of your body.When done correctly, sit-ups can be a good way to strengthen abdominal muscles and the lower back. However, sit-ups alone will not burn fat of the stomach region specifically. It's a myth that a rigorous sit-up routine will guarantee a flat tummy. Instead of concentrating so much on your stomach, why not try an exercise program that works out a greater range of muscle groups and involves some cardiovascular fitness? If there really is fat to be lost around your stomach, running, swimming, or biking regularly will be more effective at burning it than only doing sit-ups.You might also want to examine your eating plan and see if there are any excessively fatty foods and/or sugars that you might think about cutting back on or eliminating. Take a look at the Related Q&As listed below for some nutrition tips.Alice ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The shape of your organs changed after child birth! Guess that means mine have always been round. LOL I never had a really flat stomach, but I'd take it back in a heartbeat. Between two kids and scar tissue from three abdominal surgeries (one a c-section) not to mention this dreaded thing called aging, as well as having my kids later in life...I know what you mean about having to buy a size in pants or shorts to accommodate a certain body area. Even when I was younger, 102 pounds pencil neck, protruding collar bone and small waste, all of which disappeared, never to be found again, my thighs we a problem. If I bought pants to fit my waste, they were to tight in the legs, if I bought them to accommodate my thighs, the waste was huge. Funny though, my thighs weren't big, I guess just out of proportion to the rest of my body. I don't have that problem anymore, everything is round and equal in size. I'd like to know how your friend makes out after her tummy tuck. Just out of curiosity. I can't say I'd never consider having any plastic surgery done if I could afford it, but I know for sure one thing I wouldn't do is have anything done that would leave obvious scarring like a tummy tuck would.

Nicole · Post by **Nicole** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 2:29 pm

LMAO! Although, really, I don't think I like Alice's advice that much."You might also want to examine your eating plan and see if there are any excessively fatty foods and/or sugars that you might think about cutting back on or eliminating."Hmmm...it can't be anything I ate today. LOLI see men with large potbellies but they don't seem to worry about it. And yet I know so many women that pick themselves to pieces (me included) over one or two "figure flaws". I guess the hardest thing for me is seeing other women who don't seem to have the same problems. I used to think I would never, ever have any plastic surgery, but I don't feel nearly as strongly against it anymore. On the bright side, I finished my aerobics class today without too much of a problem.

NewCrabber · Post by **NewCrabber** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 3:57 pm

Hahaha. Alice probably just doesn't want to share the secrets of her success!Oh men, phooey. My husband and I used to diet together, nothing big, just to take off a few pounds here and there when we were much younger. He took of twice as much as I did twice as fast all the time. He put on some pounds along with me as we go older, of course I put on twice as much twice as fast, but he changed a few things, does martial arts twice a week and religiously either stretches or does some kind of exercise almost every night and he looks about the same as he did when I met him 25 years ago. Me, well, I'm another story altogether, but no amount of work will get me back where I once was. It just isn't fair! Too, I think a lot more men care about their looks than we think they do. I think they just don't admit it or obsess over it the way woman do.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 12:30 pm

Well ladies..I have the same problem. My son is now 8 years old and although I have lost most of my weight from the pregnancy I can't seem to lose the tummy. And now if I do gain weight it goed stright to the tummy and hips!!! I also work out. I try to do a lot of cardio. Carbs are one of my downfalls, as is dairy!!! I just borrowed some work out tapes from a friend...they are the Carmen Electra Aerobic Striptease!! I think I'll feel silly doing these but my friend swears by them. So we will see!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 1:36 pm

Well, I'm in the fat tummy club too. I HATE IT! I used to be size 0!!! I would not ever really want to be that skinny again, but I wish my tummy was! I have lost weight, but that ole tummy just won't go away. And have you noticed all the tops on the market are cut real short & real tight. Oh, I get so discusted when I go shopping. I used to enjoy it, now it just makes me mad

jojo7 · Post by **jojo7** » Tue Sep 27, 2005 3:12 pm

OMG!!!.i just finished posting about being negative and here i go!!!...lol..but you ladies on are the worst topic for me here!!...it doesn't matter how thin i am, or how much weight i loose i have a belly that looks like a pouch!!!...gross!!...i have had 3 very large babies, (two over 10 lbs, and one over 12 lbs!!)and have 3 C-sections!!...my ob/gyn said sometimes you never loose that "Pouch" because of the sections i had...but i have seen women that have had C-sections and their bellies are flat!!...ITS NOT FAIR!!!! Nicole, maybe we can go and get a "two for one deal" on the tummy tucks??...are you in???...i am!!!