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Original poster

Still look pregnant after 3 years - what can I do?

33 replies

Paperowls · 13/06/2017 17:57

I am so over looking pregnant but I'm not making any progress. I've been working out with a personal trainer for 8 months but I'm not any fitter or more toned. I've got three kids, the youngest is 3. I look awful, like an egg on legs. My self esteem is at rock bottom, husband has cheated on me and every time I see my reflection I'm reminded of a pantomime dame. Pre kids I was never a super fit person, but I had a waist and didn't look like Humpty Dumpty. Why isn't working out changing my shape?

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Tracycam87 · 12/01/2020 23:33

I had my second son 3 years ago and my doctor referred me to physio during my pregnancy because my stomach was doming a lot and after having my son my muscles had split really badly. After 3 years I still feel my belly looks really swolen and not getting any better even after excercising I am thinking maybe I should go back to doctor and see if he can do something about it. It’s making me feel really self conscious about myself.

KimKardashiansArse · 13/06/2017 22:35

Same here OP and I'd echo what a PP said in that I look much worse having put weight on. My belly is huge. Sad I don't recognise myself anymore. I look like my mum who always had that huge belly egg shape SadSadSad. I'm also finding it impossible to lose weight since I lost weight on a low carb diet last year. I put all the weight back on plus another stone and a half. I'm having my thyroid function tested at the moment in case I've got hypothyroidism. I'm determined not to stay this way, I feel awful.

Intransige · 13/06/2017 22:05

Please find out from a physio or similar if you have diastasis recti before you try hardcore abdominal exercises. If you do have a separation then loads of crunches will make it worse, not better.

mimishimmi · 13/06/2017 21:52

Paperowls- I had a similar apple shape to you. Years of dance and cardio gave me lovely slim legs and arms but which unfortunately made my tummy look even bigger. Doing Jillian Michaels got my waist down from 33 inches to 25.5 inches.

troodiedoo · 13/06/2017 21:42

Muscle burns fat. Protein and weight resistance build muscle. If you're storing fat on your middle you're possibly quite carb sensitive. Cardio and carbs will also make you more hungry.

I'd find a new pt. I don't know all the story but it seems this one is just happy to take your money.

Misty9 · 13/06/2017 21:39

Seriously, it sounds like you have split tummy muscles. Try the check I described. Diastasis does make you look pregnant as there's nothing to hold your guts in and up... Shock

Original poster
Paperowls · 13/06/2017 21:33

But surely I need cardio to burn fat?

And if I ditch carbs and fruit I will be living on cheese and veg! That's one way to lose weight but quite limiting.

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Original poster
Paperowls · 13/06/2017 21:29

I'm 5ft 7 and 11st 9lbs. I know I should weigh less, probably about 10 stone but I'm happy not to starve myself to get to that. But I'm just so out of proportion. I get offered a seat on the train regularly as I think people look at my normal arms and legs and think that my barrel middle is a sign I'm expecting.

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troodiedoo · 13/06/2017 21:21

Ditch husband
Ditch carbs and fruit
Ditch cardio
Ditch pt

Start lifting.

mimishimmi · 13/06/2017 21:18

Jillian Michaels 6 week 6pack and Ripped in 30 - 6 days a week. Do Week 1 from Ripped in 30 everyday alternating with 6week6pack Workouts 1 & 2. eg Monday Ri30 Week 1 + 6w6p Workout 1, Tuesday Ri30 Week 1+ 6w6p Workout 2. Then Week 2 etc. Once you've finished Ripped in 30, invest in Body Revolution and then Body Shred.

Misty9 · 13/06/2017 21:16

If you're pressing in those areas and not feeling bumpy hardness of muscle then it sounds like you have got diastasis- basically split tummy muscles. Try this: lie down and place the flat of your palm over your belly button pointing downwards. Now do a small sit up and see if you can feel any ridges or edges of your muscle wall. It may take 3 or 4 fingers width before you get to the edges from what you're describing. I'm 3 yrs post partum and still 1-2 fingers width split. It never completely closes for some women but Pilates or similar will help.

MiniAlphaBravo · 13/06/2017 21:15

I think your trainer is deficient if she hasn't mentioned diastasis recti or tested you. And she should have also properly assessed you to begin with so you would know if you had lost weight/inches/body fat. It sounds like you're quite active but maybe you need more protein. And it's a definite possibility that you have muscle separation and should try to incorporate exercises to heal that. If you're working out with a trainer regularly i would expect you to be able to do the plank to be honest, so not being able to could be a possible sign of separation of muscles.

StarUtopia · 13/06/2017 21:08

If your BMI is 25, you are not fat.

Your body will have changed shape though after having children.

how tall are you and how much do you weigh?

Original poster
Paperowls · 13/06/2017 21:06

I've just tried to do the diastasis recti test and I'm non the wiser! I don't appear to have any muscle on the left hand side of my abdomen or below my belly button. Just lots of crepy skin! Nice!

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Original poster
Paperowls · 13/06/2017 21:03

No idea tbh. I don't weigh myself regularly. I started the training to try and improve my muscle tone and core stability rather than lose weight.

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Squishedstrawberry4 · 13/06/2017 21:00

Are you loosing weight?

Original poster
Paperowls · 13/06/2017 20:56

Currently I work out with my trainer once a week, I always walk 10,000 steps a day (inc commuting) and twice a week I cycle about with my child on the back of my bike doing chores.

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Squishedstrawberry4 · 13/06/2017 20:41

How often are you exercising and do you walk daily?

SamoanSamosa · 13/06/2017 20:32

Look up the mu tu system as well. Specifically designed for diastasis recti

SamoanSamosa · 13/06/2017 20:31

Stop making excuses for your cheating bastard husband. He married you in sickness and in health etc etc. There is never an excuse that makes it ok.

Speak to your trainer about your lack of progress? Find a new trainer with experience working with post pregnancy bodies?

Original poster
Paperowls · 13/06/2017 20:30

That is true. Smile And his actions have knocked a good chunk out of my self esteem. That aside, I am mightily fed up of looking 6 months pregnant and paying money on working out and looking no different. There must be some exercises I can do to reduce my roly-poly middle and look less like I've given up on myself.

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blue2014 · 13/06/2017 20:19

Sorry your husband is your problem. I look like shit, my husband still loves me, wants me and more importantly doesn't stick his dick in someone else. Your husband is a knob.

Original poster
Paperowls · 13/06/2017 19:21

My BMI is 25. Just at the top end of the ok bit. Could be better but my main focus is reducing my waistline so that I can wear trousers again. I've said this to my trainer - is she not giving me the right kind of work to do?

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Intransige · 13/06/2017 19:08

Sorry, but there is NO excuse for your husband's behaviour. If he has issues in your relationship that are deal breakers for him then the adult thing to do is discuss a separation with you. There is NEVER an excuse for cheating.

Rockchick1984 · 13/06/2017 19:04

What's your BMI? I'm an apple shape since having kids but I look a heck of a lot worse now (BMI 29) than after I lost first lot of baby weight (BMI 22).

Don't make excuses for your husband though - he is married to you and meant to be in love with you, he shouldn't care if you have gained a bit of weight!!