Mums with a flat tummy - do you hold it in?

[User112]

That really. How on earth do women with kids have flat tummies? What kind of workouts do you do? Do you always hold it in? I’m 1st away from my healthy weight range (upper boundary) and I have a B tummy. Do I even have a chance if I lose that 1stone?

Genes. But just because I have a flat tummy doesn't mean I'm some gorgeous babe. It sounds like you're idealising this body type a bit.

Forgot to say that my workout is walking for 40 minutes twice a day. (School run.)

@TheVamoosh no, I just don’t want this “tyre” when I sit down 😳😳

I had a c section so mine isn’t washboard flat but it’s still pretty flat. I think I was just lucky with a good surgeon to be honest, and I had him three weeks early so didn’t get as big as I might have done.

However I do spin four to five times a week, do a lot of walking and workouts with weights which do make a difference! I was also pretty active throughout my pregnancy.

I’ll come back if I ever have a second and tell you if it was pure luck or any of those things actually had an impact

BMI 20.5
You would definitely think I was slim in clothes.
Naked - still pretty slim.
Have a tummy though.
That’s life 🤷🏻‍♀️
You can’t spot reduce fat, though I expect if I did specific exercises for toning my abs it would be less. But I don’t think it would ever be flat at a healthy weight.

It’s normal to have a bit of tummy when you sit down though OP even very very slim women have more of a tummy when they sit, it’s natural

I just work out three or four times a day and don’t eat much sugar or sat fat. Plenty of unsat fat though (just remember all fats, good or bad, are 9kcals/gram). I stayed fit all through my pregnancy, balancing cardio and strength training. I use suspension trainers, I box, I lift weights, I run and I row.

It’s, I’d say, 70% diet, 30% exercise.

No idea, it just happened.

@User112

That really. How on earth do women with kids have flat tummies? What kind of workouts do you do? Do you always hold it in? I’m 1st away from my healthy weight range (upper boundary) and I have a B tummy. Do I even have a chance if I lose that 1stone?

What do you mean by upper boundary of healthy weight range? Are you going off BMI? I know the top “healthy” weight for my height (5’3”) according to BMI is charts 10 st 1lb. I can tell you that at that weight, when sitting my type is large enough to have a crease under it, not just a muffin type bulge.

*tyre

Everyone has a tummy when they sit down, no? Otherwise when you stood up you’d split across the middle. Fwiw mine was pretty flat when I got back to a bmi of about 23-24. Pre baby I could be a little higher than that without much tummy, but the weight distribution changed with baby.

I do a lot of Pilates. It really helps.

Running 5x times a week + core strengthening + shaping underwear

@Onairjunkie

I just work out three or four times a day and don’t eat much sugar or sat fat. Plenty of unsat fat though (just remember all fats, good or bad, are 9kcals/gram). I stayed fit all through my pregnancy, balancing cardio and strength training. I use suspension trainers, I box, I lift weights, I run and I row.

It’s, I’d say, 70% diet, 30% exercise.

3 or four times a day?!!

@User112 my post wasn’t supposed to sound negative, like - you don’t achieve the flat stomach from 1st loss, so don’t bother. More, be realistic in your goals. Otherwise you’ll lose 1st, be in a healthy weight range and ignore that achievement and benefit because all you’re focused on is a flat stomach.

I'm well in my healthy BMI weight, though I'd like to lose a bit more. I've had three children and I'd love to have a flat tiny, but I had separation of the stomach muscles in my second pregnancy and my waist is now much thicker as a result. If I pull in my core and stand tall it looks infinitely better, but if I relax I look five months pregnant. It's saggy and sad looking and I don't like to look at it too much.

The difference between my 'held in' tummy and my 'let it all out' is so big it's ridiculous! (4 DC) So yes i hold it in a lot. It's second nature when out and about tbh.

I think i could earn good money as a 'before' and 'after' model for tummy workout/diet/shape wear products and the photos could all be taken on the same day

Its just different body types and where you carry weight. I have a flat tummy whether im 10 stone or 13 stone (now 🙈) my upper arms however resemble whale blubber

Mine is genetic. I eat a load of crap and it never varies from being absolutely flat. So I honestly think you're being too hard on yourself.

I highly recommend Mutu system. It takes 12 weeks and worked very well for me. It's not cheap, think about £100 for lifetime membership but I got it on offer and it does seem to be available at reduced rate periodically. You've reminded me I need to revisit it, as have neglected myself in recent months and tummy starting to show the signs again..!

Mine isn't flat but looks flat in most clothes. Probably fewer people than you think actually have flat tummies.

I have a low Bmi, but like wallaby I ve had three children and ruined my stomach muscles. The skin is all stretched and looks like a scrotum! I’ve done loads of Pilates which has helped but I can’t see it ever being the same again.

I am long in the body which I think makes my stomach pretty flat.
I also run and do yoga so have a a good core

I’m back to pre-baby weight, BMI of 18.9 and I still have a tummy sticking out after my EMCS 2 years ago. Not a huge bulge but my rib cage got bigger and my muscles tore, so now I have a bulge. I’d probably have to be emaciated to loose it!

Tummy is all about diet. It's the last thing to go back because it's been stretched. It is possible. I had 2 csections.
Btw I only got my flat stomach 3 months after my second was born because I was completely depressed and grieving the loss of a family member.
My first it took a lot of hard work and exercise (18 months after my first was born)
Don't put the pressure on yourself. I slowly gained the weight back. But I keep fit and exercise because I love food. It's balance 🤣