Flat tummy

[Disabrie22]

Has anyone flattened their tummy successfully after two children - and if so how did you manage it?

[carrie74]

I'm pretty slim, I work out regularly, but my tummy still isn't flat. I've got over-stretched skin (thanks 8 YO Thing 2!), so I don't think mine will ever get any better, but my tummy's flat enough for my needs. I still wear a bikini when on holiday, sod it! I do see plenty of women with children and flat tummies, so it must be possible for some. I'd suggest the best way is getting your body fat percentage down (ie work out hard, and eat well), and appropriate exercises.

[Higge]

I have a flat tummy after 2 kids but I would put it down to genetics rather than hard work. I have big thighs though that refuse to slim down....I think I may finally have accepted my body shape.

[MaisieDotes]

I think you have to be pear shaped to be able to get a flat tummy after kids.

I'm an apple and I was kind of ok after DD who I had in my 20s. Now I'm 39 and have had 2 babies in the last two years and it's in a bad state.

[Mominatrix]

I have 2 kids and a flat tummy and am definitely not pear shaped -just a pretty standard balanced shape (small at the top and small at the bottom).

I attribute my flat stomach partialy to muscle memory as I regularly exercised before having children and between the 2. Also, I continue to exercise now with loads of cardio (run at least 30 miles a week) and core exercise. My mum was always very slim (6 and a half stone, 5'2") but never had a flat stomach due to not doing core exercises ever in her life.

[Kennington]

I was workig in France while pg. I was advised to do sit ups soon after birth for a year and to only put on 8-10kg during pregnancy. I have a non scientific theory that this is why the French start of slim and are relatively small, both height and weight.
I didn't take the advice!
I think working on my posture is really he only thing that will create an optical illusion of a flatter stomach.

[Higge]

I put on 20kg during pregnancy - twins. It makes no difference. My skin tone is poor but my tummy is flat. I do pilates now - and it feels stronger for sure, posture is always a work in progress, it's so hard to change.

[Batladyandrose]

Pilates and spanx are the 2 things that I would be lost without - not Pilates on a fancy machine, just mat based Pilates so easy to do at home after some lessons.

My tummy is not flat as I've had 2+ children, but it is definitely flatter than it has been so if you've had 2 DC's you may get even better results.

[yomellamoHelly]

Agree with previous comments - pilates and tummy control underwear! Have lots of excess skin still 7 years on which "bunches" into my belly button. Am guessing that after all this time it's here to stay. But can look passable in the right clothes.

[ShotgunNotDoingThePans]

Some people swear by the Mutu programme.

[Disabrie22]

Thanks ladies, good advice

[Toffeelatteplease]

Pilates or other core muscle work for a flatter stomach

[Disabrie22]

One of my problems is I just can't seem to stop eating sugar in the evening - desperately need to find the willpower as I'm sure it would help knock off a bit of my tummy

[Toffeelatteplease]

I've lost over 1 and a half stone since January and i still eat some popcorn and milk just before bedtime most days (I'd find it hard to stick to a diet if I didn't) . There isn't one thing that makes you fat or getting rid off one thing that will make you thin. It's about working out how to make healthy eating work for you in a way that you are happy to stick too (and that might be something sweet in the evenings if you can make it work within your daily calories.)

[TimeToMuskUp]

I've had two children and am 5"7' and a size 12 with a completely flat tummy. No idea how; I've got broad hips and shoulders and it must be a genetic thing that I just don't gain weight there. I don't eat bread or sugar if I can help it, and I drink loads of water. Bread bloats my stomach like nothing else on earth.

[Hopefully]

3DC and a flat tummy, but I have always been prone to it - when I lose weight I have a flat tummy before I have arms/thighs that I would want to show off. Daily yoga definitely helps though, both with muscle tone and improving posture.

[Hopefully]

Also, my sister is a totally opposite body shape to me - she is very very curvy, proper 1940s figure, and always has a tummy, but it does go if she gets down to about 9 stone (she is about 5'5" but very narrow framed), so for some people it's about being slimmer than for others I think. If it's far rather than spare skin or nonexistent core muscle, it's always going to be possible to lose it, it just depends at what stage it deigns to leave.

[junebirthdaygirl]

Breastfeeding does the trick l found. Kept the flat tummy until menopause. Bigger battle now lm afraid. But high protein diet has definitely helped.