Weird stomach muscles! Help!

[RiojaLover75]

I've just over the last week started a fitness drive which is going well BUT I have weird muscles.

If I try to do anything that involves my tummy it makes this weird pointy egg shape. Does anyone know what this is?

Sounds like you have split tummy muscles possibly?
Is it painful? - Hernia maybe.

My tuumy muscles were like this post DC, if I do any excercise (sit-ups) now it comes to a bit of a dome shape down my abdomen. I had physio for mine which heled as originally it was 4 fingers widths apart but now just one finger width and they have said it probably wont close anymore.

You may need to see your GP for a referal to a physio.

Hopefully someone will be along soon who knows a little more aboout this.

Norma, no there is no pain thank goodness.

It's kind of like looking at the top of an egg when you look down at my tummy. DSs are 20 months and three and a half so it could have been like this for some time but I'd not noticed .

Sorry, this is not a good sign. I would advise you to STOP all exercises that make your tummy do this as it sounds like your abs have not re-knitted after a baby. For now, I would roll out of bed support yourself fully out of the bath, just pretend you are pregnant. DOn't put any stress on this area.

Mine were also like this after DD, (think it happens to most if not all mothers) my physio gave me gentle pelvic exercises to do to help them re-fuse and then recommended this fantastic pilates video which builds you up from 6 week check to a flat tum (I promise). My muscles were in a terrible state after DD but 4 months of daily pilates and I had better muscles than pre-baby. It is recommended by the ACPWH (Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Women's Health).

It's not a quick fix, but 4 months is hardly a long time for a healthy, "fixed" tum, eh?

Lots of luck

Nancy, that video looks good, Im 4 years post baby and still have the gap which prevents me from doing exercises involving my tummy which in turn my tummy is not toned at all and Im pretty slim every where else. Do you think it could help my tum even at this late stage?

I'm sure they say it's never too late so i would say of course not, go for it!

2 years on I have the next video up which is a little more physically demanding (but all pilates is low impact, doesn't use a lot of energy, so you can do it even when you're knackered! But you must do the breathing and check in with what to expect from the instructor on the vid so you know you're doing it properly)

I do it as often as I can now, about once a week on average (2-3 times if it's half term, some weeks I don't get the time at all) but long-term once the healing has taken place it's all about maintenance obviously.

P-s it has helped with my lower-back pain tremendously