still look pregnant 6 months after birth

[girl84]

Hi ladies,

I have always been petite and a slim woman. I had a big bump when I was pregnant with my daughter, however she was 6lb 7oz. I didn't do much exercise while pregnant as although it sounds silly, I was scared of exercising.

I put on approximately 1 1/2 stone during pregnancy and have struggled to lose it. Mostly I am struggling with my tummy. I feel like I still look pregnant and it's really getting me down. I struggle to find clothes to wear and I'm so upset about it all the time.

I have been exercising the last couple if months now but I still have this awful pregnant looking tummy. I have posted a pic of it. My daughter is now 6 month old.sorry for the pic.

does anyone have any advice or has been in the same situation?

xx

What exercise have you been doing? I've been running and doing level 1 of the 30 Day Shred for three weeks (alternating) and it's made such a difference already to my abs and muffin top. I'm really pleased with how much flatter my tummy is already (have a 5mo).

I've been doing stomach crunches, plank and just started two classes of bodypump a week. Was your stomach similar to mine? Really pleased for you.xx

Hi girl. I am a lot bigger than you overall but I lost the bump quickly but strict dieting and swimming.

Ate lots of eggs, ham ,etc. cut out bread etc.

I'm willing to give anything a go! Just has the dh on the Internet looking for the dvd l.

thanks v much. Wish me luck! Xx

Don't beat yourself up and enjoy your baby :)

Xx

your tummy muscles might be divided still - some medical name for it. If you lie on your back and sort of do a sit up but put your fingers on your tummy button, can you feel a gap between the muscles? If you have a few fingers gap then no amount of general exercise will close it.

There are some specific exercises that help (if someone can tell me it will save me reading the book I have on my kindle), or you could go to your GP.

Found the name - look up diastasis recti, might not be that but worth checking.

You don't have a lot to worry about going by the photo! But remember-it took 9 mths for you to get to your biggest size, so expect at least 9 mths to get back to normal! Plus if you didn't do any exercise then it realistically it could take a bit longer. Don't be fooled by all the super celebs who miraculously look normal within a fortnight-air brushing is an evil tool!

I've had a read up on it just now and when I do the test the gap is small. May just get checked by my gp just to make sure. Thanks for that. Xx

I would get the gap checked by a personal trainer or physio who specialises in postnatal recovery if you can find one. Don't do any more crunches until you do, they can make the bulging from a diastasis worse. The PT or physio should be able to tell you what are the best exercises. Good luck, you look great anyway!