is there anything i can do about my mum-tum??

[CandyCrate]

I have a stupid belly that I need to get rid of. I am 5'10, have no idea how much I weigh but I'm a size 12. I would be perfectly happy with my body except since I had DS 2 years ago my belly just seems to always be big and sticks out over my jeans!

I never have anyone to look after DS so any exercise I do would have to be in my own home in the evening, or walking, which I do a lot of anyway.

Has anyone got rid of their mum-tum?? Is it possible without hours and hours in the gym?

Tupler is really simple, the book is quite good to explain the anatomy and the rational behind the exercises, but the exercises are v v simple.

The site I linked to in my first post on here gives advice on how to check for a gap and how to do the exercises. There is lots about it on t'web for free .

I dont have a kindle, but have seen the book on Amazon for £12. Might be worth getting that. Much better than £77

Cheers Pacific Sorry I just clicked on one link before. Will check that out tomorrow if I remember as I dont have time now.

FartBlossom I wasn't having a go! I hadn't read the whole thread. Just telling anyone interested that the Tupler system's available to download

I am accidentally offending people left right and centre at the moment, I don't know what's wrong with me!

Its OK I was a bit worried that it looked like I was having a go at something so expensive so was a bit defensive. :)

I know I know Im probably going to make another mistake as its probably been answered, but what the F is your Transverse? Will the book explain it in simple terms

Woo its on ebay cheaper than Amazon too, but not in my local library. Will have a look at it I think.

Gosh, that video - please someone tell me that I am not the only person to have watched it and thought my arm muscles would never support me to do those exercises!! Or am I ?

I've definitely got a big tummy - a layer of flab which has somewhat mysteriously appeared over the last 6 months and really poor muscle tone. My last pregnancy was a twin pregnancy and I definitely had a diastasis and probably still do. I'm one of the skinny types with the tummy which, by the end of the day, looks about 5 months pregnant. I've started the 30 Day Shred which is really helping my general fitness but am now worried about it's effect on my tummy.

Shall continue to watch this thread with much interest .

To check the 2-3 fingers thing, lie on your back with your feet hip distance apart and your knees bent. Poke your fingers into your tummy button, engage your tummy muscles and gently lift your head and shoulders. You will feel the muscles/fibres on each side press against your fingers - the number of fingers you can fit between the two tells you how far apart they are. I started with 2.5, now improved to 2 with pilates.

Ah thanks brandnew. Next question: what's considered a 'normal' gap, if there is one? Or shouldn't you have a gap at all?!

No, you wouldn't have a palpable gap at all if nothing has separated.

Medical profession consider normal gap 2 fingers or less. I had diastasis very badly, am a 9st 5ft6 person and had a huge bulging oddly shaped belly... Could see my bowels moving and feel my poos! Yuk...

Transverse muscle conditioning can really help but in my case the gap was 5 fingers at least after DC2 and as I think Julie Tupler says, this becomes too wide to fix by exercise alone, and an experienced physio confirmed this for me. Due to the fact that I also had a hernia I have had a tummy tuck type op to repair my abdominals. I only mention all this in case people think they also have Diastasis as in my experience it is very poorly known about and understood by midwives, health visitors, GPs etc... It is worth educating yourself about the transverse muscle and trying exercise first. Fwiw the op is not fun so not the easy option.

30 day shred esp level 2 was very effective on my mum tum. It has lots of planks which pull your core in. I think planks are better than sit ups if you want to try some ab exercises. I might still have a slight diastasis - you can view videos on how to check for this on youtube. But mainly the muscles were just slack and I was spilling over out front. Even with excess fat on my belly the planks made a big difference to how far it stuck out. Didnt take long either - 14 days of planks and you are good ime.

PS: I think 30 day shred is an excellent post baby work out. Its tough, takes only 5 mins and you really see results. And its only a fiver!!

Sorry the workout takes 20 mins not 5

Op thank you for this thread I have exactly that jeans issue!

I think I need to continue to lose baby weight too though but will check out mutu and tulper.

If sit ups are risky are planks okay?

Firsttimer7259 you say that 14 days of planks will make a difference?? really?

PineappleBed, its a bastard aint it. I like jeans, but they make me look stupid.

I will find out what a plank is, and then do it!!

Now the other way of looking at this is change your jeans

I've finally found some that come up to my natural waist but are still slim legged so not grannyish - levi's Demi curve slim leg. Tummy tucked in, job done. they give a bit so go for a pair that feel snug in the shop

lool thats something i never thought of! i guess if i dont wear hipster jeans my belly wont hang over...

ON the 30DS there is a 10 day section with lots of planks. After I had completed that section my stomach was noticeably pulled in. While doing the 30 day shred I lost 4.5inches off the biggest part of my stomach - I did lose some weight but a lot of that was due to having got my stomach to pull in properly rather than flop out

:o that sounds amazing. im gonna youtube planks and give it a go. i dont think i have this thing people are talking about, just a fat stomach!

I tried looking for this muscle gap and I don't think I have it just fat and loose skin! Have ordered the tulper book just in case though. Plan is now: tulper, carry on with weight loss, then 30 shred maybe, then Demi curve trousers!

Feel knackered just thinking about it!

Damn mum tum!

Wow thank u for posting this. I have been so low about my horrible tummy, and I have a big two finger gap but also just lazy-itis too. Pre children I was v sporty and looked athletic and in proportion, then I had two 10lb 8 children within two years and my tummy is appalling. This thread has given me hope that maybe i am going to be able to do something about my tummy, and if nothing else make me feel a bit more cheery about me. Thank you all, very much.