Has anyone toned up a tummy like this (graphic photo attached)

[Confusedchocoholic]

My stomach depresses me so much- no matter how much running and Pilates I do it still looks like this. I weigh 9.5 stone at 5 foot 6 so not overweight although I would like to lose a few pounds. It’s been 6 years since my massive baby who caused this! Has anyone toned up a stomach like this and if so, how? Would lifting weights help? Thank you

These are honourable scars and can be carried with pride.

It'a not too bad at all! I would recommend doing a check for diastasis recti - some youtube tutorials will show you how to check for it and try doing some diastasis friendly exercises. I coughed up for 'mutu system' a couple of years back but there seem to be more diastasis friendly content on youtube for free now.

Also please don't have a tummy tuck - you could end up ruining it!

It looks much like, but lots better than, mine. 5'3", 9 stone, and my two babies were 9lb 2 and 10lb 7. After DD1 it was just starting to smooth out again 3 years on, then DD2 happened. 14 months on there's still lots of wrinkly, saggy skin. I just wear big sucky-in pants 😳

You look great!! (I'm still following for advice though!)

I have this too - I'm almost exactly the same height and weight as you OP. My second baby was 8.2 which I suppose isn't unusually large but my bump was enormous and I had separated abdominals too.

You’ve got an absolutely cracking waistline and hips.

That looks very familiar to me
My offending babies are now 9 & 7, so time and general fitness have done little to resolve it.

Baby 1 was 8lb 10 with a huge amount of fluid. I went from 8st 7 at 4m pg (had been losing due to nausea despite growing bump immediately to 13st with a 43 inch waist and my MW was plotting fundus measurements at the top of the page. My skin stood no chance.
DS2 was kinder, but the damage was done.

I'm not willing to exist on a very strict diet for the rest of my life. I'm not prepared for the risks of a tummy tuck (although sometimes it sounds tempting) and it's better to just live healthily and celebrate what your body can do.

It is frustrating that it is a body form that you don't see. It's either lean, airbrushed perfection, or bigger is beautiful, but very little otherwise slim and healthy just showing the toll of motherhood.

Hi OP, I lost around 8 stone after I had my DC so had a lot of saggy skin on my stomach. I seen a video on the benefits of a derma roller on youtube and bought a mid priced one on eBay and I'm convinced it worked wonders! I hope you find it works for you too, my beautician did say to use a moisturiser afterwards. HTH :)