Blasted kids

pilates

Thanks, does it help much?

Go back in time - that's my plan, lol!

Sorry not to be more constructive, btw.

pilates and yoga helps flesh stick to the bones and muscles and ligaments, like the difference between mutton and lamb

You have explained it perfectly cosima, thanks

Hmmm. Eight months of pilates later, I'm still waiting for the magic to kick in.

My stomach muscles are definitely much stronger, and all the relaxing breathing was nice to do. But it still looks just the same...

How old are your children? Do you have any previous injuries - bad back, dodgy knees, weak pelvic floor?

Yoga & pilates yes. Swimming also good.

Flexibar (yell for Prufrock who swears by 'em) are very good for slimming & toning middles.

yep, pilates the most accessible. concentrates on the 'corset' muscle. Yoga a bit more hit and miss IMHO for specific requirements. (I am a physio) also, stand sideways in the mirror. Draw your belly button towards your spine. Relax half way. Now try and suck it in that much every time you remember, when walking sitting whatever. The only way to get it back properly is to do it lots, when doing functional activities. To get rid of preggy belly you want to be exercising at a low level, but for much of the time as the cosetting muscle is a postural one, not the sit up one which will not flatten the stomach. good luck

Dt are my youngest, and they are 4.4 , its the saggyness I hate, it looks a deflated balloon

Oh meant to add, no injuries

As well as the above you could try the Paul McKenna book 'I can make you Thin', it was only £5 on Amazon when I bought it a few months ago. It comes with a 'life-affirming' brainwashing hypno-therapy CD that makes you feel more energised & more likely to stick to the plan & do exercise. It got my belly flab off, enough to fit into my BC jeans.

I had a tummy that looked like collapsed dough for about 2 years, I walked the dog for about an hour a day which kept me reasonably fit but it still took that long for the tummy to start looking less saggy. You had twins, which must have a more profound effect!

I started running regularly (at least 3 times a week) at the beginning of last year, built up slowly and became very fit. The tummy looked fab. Unfortunately I am now nearly 38 weeks pregnant!

As you have no injuries, I'd consider doing pilates for core strengthening and either brisk walking or gentle jogging to burn calories as often as you can - or join a gym class (I hate them but they should be able to give good advice).

Hey - I had surgery and the results are a complete disappointment

I have arthritus in my hips & knees
I have a bad back sciatica
I have a partial prolapse & a bladder repair
I have a large stretchmark that my insides get caught in

I think my tummy has no chance of ever getting less wobbly

Even tho' the rest of me lost over 50lbs

I have a friend who had v big twins. No matter how much exercise she did - and she did a lot - her tummy muscles were not coming back together the way they usually can following pregnancy. Over here under such circumstances you can get the tummy tuck done on Medicare. She did it when her twins were 1year old, which was the soonest they would schedule it. She is very happy with the result.

I am 38wks with DC3 and bigger than I have been before. I am thinking it is going to be a bloody miracle if my tummy is ever going to be presentable again - my belly button is a disaster zone, and at 39 the skin will not spring back the way it might in younger people . I will give it till DD is 1 year old and then look at my options I think.

I've been doing Pilates for two years. Great stuff - but my pouch is awful too! Nothing short of a miracle (or knife) will remove it. It's not so much fat as saggy, wrinkled skin! Losing weight makes it worse!
Maybe I should call Gok to big me up!

I love Gok!!

He's just fantastic, isn't he! Every home needs a little Gok - jiggling your boobs and slapping your bum every time you get undressed, and telling you how sexy you look.

Aw bless!

Why was your surgery a disappointment, Grumpybum? Where did you go?

Slendertone, I have this one it has really helped.

I had a tummy tuck on the NHS when I was 24. It just looks awful. I have pictures of what it looked like before and I think I would have prefered to keep that - knowing what I know now. I have stretch marks that don't meet up and a 20" scar hip bone to hip bone - it looks a bit frankenstein. I have since had another baby which has stretched the scar so it is quite wide and a c section which was done under it. A right mess all in all.

I had a tummy tuck & lipo a month ago. The jury's still out.

did you go private or nhs?

ohh do tell, I would love a tummy tuck, but dh is dead set against it, says we can cure all our body woes by exercise alone, I am still trying!!!!!

what does a tummy tuck involve and is the scar big?

scar is hip bone to hip bone!!! so quite big!!

the scar would be as ugly as the original flabby tummy then?

oh well no point in bothering then, is lypo a better option?

I never had any lipo with mine but I would not really recommend a tuck

Private. My darling mum offered me a tummy tuck for Xmas. I didn't believe her until she kept banging on at me to make an appt with doc.

I can tell you, no mucking about, it was jolly uncomfortable. Not agonising as in ohmygodicantstandthepain but every move, waking & sleeping, hurt. A month later, still have tender areas, some brusing, swelling & a massive scar stretching from one hip to the other.

My fat stomach had been a burden for me since childhood. As a 5 yr old, I had skinny legs & arms but a bit of a tum. After I had the dc, I couldn't shift it. I tried everything, diets, exercise, mesotherapy, abdo cruches, EVERYHING.

So yes, I'm delighted but I would only recommend it to those who are totally committed & know absolutely what they're in for.