Postnatal Exercise - Bump or Beauty?

[Scraggyaggy]

Does anyone have some tips for good baby-bump reducing exercise? How do we get nice flat tums again? Is there a magic potion?

[starlover]

don't know apart from sit-ups.
wuill await the pain-free answer though! lol

[Flossam]

Breats feeding!! failing that, or in addition, your pelvic floors should help.

[starlover]

i breastfed and still have a big tummy! grrrr

[Scraggyaggy]

I know breastfeeding helps, but isn't it a bit of a myth?

[MrsWednesday]

Breastfeeding helps a bit, but for me, I seem to hold on to fat stores that don't go until I stop (well that's what happened first time round).

Good to see you again Scraggy btw.

Did a search on the internet a couple of weeks ago and found this:

stomach exercises after pregnancy

so I intend to give them a go as I'm sick of still looking 6 months pregnant when DS2 is now 9 weeks old.

[spacecadet]

pilates is very good too, but get the all clear from a doctor before starting and always tell the instructor you have had a baby.

[Scraggyaggy]

MrsW - That site is really useful! Thanks! x

[MrsWednesday]

Yes it looks useful...haven't actually tried them yet!

Right, today is the day I'm going to start.

[orangina]

I've just bought myself an exercise dvd (specifically for post pregnancy), as I still have this blobby blamange (spelling? doesn't look right!) like thing on my tummy.... thought I would have a quick look at it yesterday evening while waiting for dd to settle (no point in starting it if I was going to get interrupted.... oh the denial!). It looked good, but then I suddently realised I was watching a dvd of this slim trim woman exercising in front of me, while I sat slumped on the sofa eating a bag of crisps.

So I started the exercises, and fear that they are the only way I'll get rid of this blob. Will try to do it daily, and let you know how I get on (dvd was by someone called Deborah Mackin)...
Meanwhile, all tips on magic potions etc v gratefully received!!!

[orangina]

Had a closer look at that weblink you posted Mrs W..... in the menu running down the LHS of the page is a section called "Tummy tucks".... I guess if all those exercises they are promoting don't work (feels tempting just now, into hospital for a long chemically enhanced snooze, then wake up with a flat tummy...!), that's the fail safe option...

[MrsWednesday]

Can't stop sniggering at the thought of you watching an exercise DVD whilst eating crisps. At least you put it on - my Pilates for Pregnancy video never made it out of its box.

Not sure what would be harder - saving up for a tummy tuck whilst on maternity leave or finding a spare minute between feeding, nappy-changing and stuffing my face with chocolate to actually do some exercise.

No, as soon as DS2 falls asleep I'm going to give it a go. And if there is a magic cure that doesn't cost money, can someone let me know?

[orangina]

I said the same thing, as soon as dd naps, I'll do my exercise. Instead, I'm here on mumsnet, talking about doing some exercise.

Oops, it's lunchtime now!

[Scraggyaggy]

I am going to give swimming a go I think. That's supposed to be good for the tummy isn't it?

[LittleB]

i've been to a couple of aqua natal classes, don't know if they work yet though! I'm also going to start a bums legs & tums class my aqua natal instructor runs. I can take dd along to both, she sits in the car seat with the other babies wondering why mummy is doing strange things! it's also a good chance to chat to other post natal mums too. haven't been to enough yet though, I can let you know if they work in a couple of months.