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Original poster

Help me for once in my life shift this wrinkly baggy (very unwelcome) tummy please

30 replies

Chicinwellies · 06/07/2017 23:24

Ok, so not style, or a beauty product, but definitely my weakness when it comes to feeling ok about myself. I'm 5'4, 8 1/2 stone and very sporty, with a great and healthy diet. What's the problem i hear you mutter - well, my two 10lb10 children (two years apart, same weight). All around my tummy button is just a wrinkly saggy mess. And I'm tired of it, and prepared to work it off. Can anyone offer some hints and helps please? Thanks

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 06/07/2017 23:35

I'd love to know the answer to this.

JohnLapsleyParlabane · 06/07/2017 23:38

Surgery is the only option to really change it I'm afraid

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 06/07/2017 23:52

My friend had amazing results after huge twins with a cross trainer.

revolution909 · 07/07/2017 00:02

Have you tried strength training? This is 4st lighter and with 45daily mins of strength training. I know they're not amazing abs but it's a start I think :)

MsAnnThropic · 07/07/2017 00:05

Revolution, you look amazing! Do you mind me asking what strength training you do?

eurochick · 07/07/2017 00:06

Your make up brushes look like a merkin.

Nice abs though. I second strength training. Get a personal trainer to design you a programme if you haven't done it before.

revolution909 · 07/07/2017 00:10

I do a bit of everything! I'm also a competitive runner but I know that has no real impact on my core. Download the fitstar app. I do the warm up and 10 mins abs sessions 4 times a week. The 7 Mon workout 3 times a week, and then one routine specifically for running once a week. (I try to change that one every now and then). I also do 90 mins of yoga once a week :)

revolution909 · 07/07/2017 00:11

I know eurochick but it's the best photo I have lol!

Original poster
Chicinwellies · 07/07/2017 06:18

Thank you. And Revolution if I looked half way near as good as you I'd def upload a pic of my abs. Can I ask what the strength training is, and how you got the programme you do? I'll look at FitStar too. Funnily enough one of my friends has roped me into hot yoga starting next week so will see. I paddleboard 2-3 times a week, work my terriers once a day, walk 3 miles on the school run, and run three times a week.

OP posts:
botemp · 07/07/2017 06:27

Have you checked it's not diastasis recti? Bar that, echoing above that full body strength training is what you want. You can't spot train a certain area and it won't make you bulky. I recently got into kettlebell training and absolutely love it. Pilates in a proper studio setting is also good, albeit less intensive (preferable if you have a week back or prone to injury).

FaithAgain · 07/07/2017 06:36

Have you tried planking? I've been building up. Started at 45s, added on 15s per day, now up to 2m 45s. It'll definitely target the area you want to improve, mine looks better already after a couple of weeks.

revolution909 · 07/07/2017 06:44

Strength training is push ups, squats, planks, crunches, etc. You actually don't need a gym for it! My fitbit was preloaded with those routines so that's how I started :)

LapinR0se · 07/07/2017 06:53

Is it just skin that's been stretched too far?

NigellasGuest · 07/07/2017 07:02

30 day shred has lots of strength training in - it's just 20 mins a day and I think it's the best! Aside from that I think it's only lipo or fat freezing or one of those thingies

Jmangel · 07/07/2017 07:32

Also look into radiofrequency skin tightening - I had a 2 sessions prior to holiday that really helped with the puckering around my tummy button - I'm slim, workout regularly but couldn't tighten the loose skin. The machine my therapist used was Lynton Promax - I also have it done on my face!!

Brillenbar · 07/07/2017 07:33

Second what fifth says lots of plank. I do 3-4 hard core yoga sessions a week and core is mowbray very strong. But the stretched flesh is still there on top of the strong muscle - it isn't fine when standing nice and straight, but a hideous skin bag as soon as I lean forward. So in clothes or a swimsuit it looks fine but not in a bikini.

silkpyjamasallday · 07/07/2017 07:49

Along with the exercise, buy a good quality natural oil, such as almond oil and put that on your stomach religiously to nourish your skin and help it regain its elasticity. Dd was only 7lbs8 but my bump was enormous and left me with a bit of sagging wrinkling skin around my belly button. All I have done so far is planking and a few sit ups along with oiling my whole stomach as often as I remember and it is almost back to normal and DD is almost 10 months now. I don't think I will be able to get my waist back to the 22 inches it was before I got pregnant but it is definitely not saggy anymore except for a tiny bit above my belly button.

FrencheoGrammaireo · 07/07/2017 10:26

Very happy for those who posted who have bellies that look like they've not been pregnant.

But it's disingenuous to suggest that it's merely a matter of working out (differently) and rubbing some oil in. Skin elasticity is genetic. If yours is good and you rub oil in or workout you'll think it was related to the oil (or exercise). If yours isn't good, no amount of oil or exercise will undo it.

Obviously working out well will help somewhat and increasing abdominal muscle mass will also help fill out the skin. (And it's always good to be strong anyway). Dietary changes can help too. But the only way to truly get rid of the saggy, puckery skin is by having it cut off and your abdomen sewn up again.

KatherinaMinola · 07/07/2017 10:34

Plank exercise is brilliant but unfortunately not advised if you have pelvic floor issues (which you might have after two 10lb 10oz babies! Shock ).

ItsNiceItsDifferentItsUnusual · 07/07/2017 10:48

Watching this with interest...

DavetheCat2001 · 07/07/2017 11:01

I think surgery is the only real solution for creepy wrinkly belly skin. You can improve your muscle tone though with all the exercises already mentioned, but stretched skin can't be smoothed out with oil/cream or exercise.

PollyPerky · 07/07/2017 11:29

I'd like to say that the plank and lifting kettlebells are not advised for lots of women who have had babies. You may end up with a prolapse or make existing pelvic floor issues much worse. Same for some Pilates positions.

If you want safe exercises for your body, post birth, look at the website of Michelle Kenway, Ozzie physio.

If it's loose skin *OP only a tummy tuck will work. Does it go back when you pull your muscles in and hold your breath?
Sagging and wrinkling won't go with abdo exercises.

MinisWin · 07/07/2017 11:37

Planking also not advised for those with diastasis recti...

d270r0 · 07/07/2017 13:09

Nip and fab tummy fix has worked well from me, basically has turned my tummy skin from 'old lady skin' back to normal skin. Yes the stretch marks etc are still there, and it probably won't transform you but it does tone the skin and hydrate it. I feel much better about my tummy now. I used to hate when my dh touched it.
Normally £19.99 for 100ml but boots has it half price at the moment. Put some on morning and evening. Its a nice gel which feels sticky for a few min but then sinks in nicely.

EccentricPickle · 07/07/2017 13:23

I have the same OP. I watch what I eat, do plenty of cardio, crunches, planks but the lower bit of my abs under my belly button is wrinkly and stretch marked. I can't get rid of it - my stomach is pretty flat and I'm just over 8 stone so can't lose much more weight!

I think only surgery would be the answer for me and I'm not going to go down that road.

I think high waisted bikini bottoms or just embrace it is the only thing we can do.