Flabby tummy, still breastfeeding and tired, is there any hope?

[temmy99]

Hello out there, I can't remember the last time I looked at this forum. Having returned to work (ds now 8 mths) I am totally whacked when I return. ds still breastfeeding in the evening and during the night which doesn't help. my dilemma however in all this is how my tummy now looks. It is basically out there >>. People comment on how good I look (maybe they are just being polite) and I can still fit into my pre-pregnancy clothes but is there any realistic suggestions into how I can go about toning this part of my body? I have not exactly helped myself in that even though I have joined the gym which is in the same building I work in, I can't bring myself to start going. Eating nowadays is such a delight but seriously I am really unhappy about my tum, help!!!

Surely someone must have an idea of how they go about getting a flatter tummy which is not limited to 100s of press-ups or am I hoping for the impossible??

temmy I am in the same boat, 6 month old DS, slim apart from tum which looks like a big wrinkly weird handbag pouch.

however it is getting better. the answer is unfortunately exercise. I also work full time. I try to run 20 mins on sat and sunday, and then try to do the cindy crawford 'next challenge' workout twice in the evenings during the week. It sounds cheesy but it has millions of different types of situps and exercises like kicks where your stomach gets toned without you realising. It's not enough to do boring style sit ups, you have to do something where you're twisting and using different muscles. I also eat a lot and not willing to stop, specially cos I'm breastfeeding.

Try setting realistic goals, like you will go to the gym once per week, no matter what, something like that, and get your DH or DP to nag you about it.

I also recommend trying to cut out the night feed, though of course that's easier said than done. I feel like a new person with loads more energy since doing that.

anyway wishing you best of luck, I think most of us newish mums must be in the same boat (I also try to keep it in perspective and think we're lucky to have come through the birth with nothing worse than the tum!!)

Please don't do sit ups as you may do irreparable damage by stretching your stomach muscles even more (I know, I've done it, and have the permanant pot belly to prove it.)

Check whether you still have any separation in your stomach muscles (they should have shown you how to do this post natally).

If there's any separation at all, embark on a course of Pilates.

I'm not an expert, but I'm sure you could find one quite easily. I just wanted to warn you about the damage sit-ups can do

hijack here> bellaLasagne, why have sit ups done such damage to your tum? is it ireperable? i am wondering if this is the case with me, as after dd1 i did alot of exercise/ situps and seemed to get a worse tum!
did your doc confirm it for you?

sorry for the hijack temmy99!

i wouldnt be too hard on yourself temmy, most mumma's have a baby pouch a long time after the baby has vacated!
just do gentle exercise and def pilates as it strengthens the core muscles, which will then enable your abs to get back in shape.

I think oblique twists are okay and they help.

Mine looks like I might have a baby kangaroo in there.

Yes, if you do situps without the separated muscles re-joining they can be stretched in the wrong direction and become irreparable.

Yes, my GP did confirm this and said teh only solution was a tummy tuck. I do Pilates instead and it helps a bit.

Hell, my DD2 is also 8mths & I had the separated tummy muscles. I feel a bit squeamish having a feel to see if they've joined & instead decided not to do any exercise !

I've got a sticky-out tummy as well, although I'm about 5-7lbs off my normal weight & am still breastfeeding.

However, we are off on our hols towards the end of June, & want to look reasonable in my bikini.

Agree that pilates is (probably) the only way forward, however, if you talk to your HV they should check your tummy & either way can give you a very basic routine to help flatten your tummy...which is based loosely around basic pilates.

I went to see a specialist private post-natal pilates instructor as I was so fed up with my enormous tummy. It cost me £28 for 1 hour and she made a plan for me and gave me loads of advice. It was money well spent and I'm sure you could find someone suitable near you.

Basically she advised me never to do sit ups again! I still have 2 finger separation after 8 years!! This means that any attempt I've made to do sit ups has stretched the muscles in the wrong direction, like over stretching a piece of elastic so that it'll never return

However, if you catch it early enough, the separation can be reduced by strengthening the core muscles via pilates excercises, much reducing the risk of permanent damage. You shouldn't do situps until your muscles have closed up completely. Neither should you lie down or sit up from lying without rolling over onto your side first as this can also put great strain on your stomach muscles. You should also be careful how you lift your baby and lean over as this also puts a lot of strain on your stomach and back.

Basically if you can do frequent moderate excercise such as walking or swimming and gently pull your naval back towards your spine as often as you remember (like when trying to do your jeans zip up!), you should see and feel a difference.

Please note that I'm not an expert, I'm just passing on what I was told! If you have any particular problems please consult a pro!

oh gawd, how do you know if you've got separation? I don't think I have cos had physio straight after the birth and she gave me some very gentle abs exercises and didn't mention anything about separation. If it's all quite squishy, how can you tell?

You lay down, knees bent, and push 2 fingers about 2cm below your tummy button then do a VERY small situp movement. If you can insert your fingers between your muscles (which run vertically) then you have separation.

Usually, midwives or HVs show you how to do this post-natally.

This is all new to me, what will I do without you ladies? From stretched tummy muscles to Pilates, I've heard of Pilates but not sure what it entails but I will definitely consider it. Thanks Bellalasagne for the quick test of stretched tummy muscle I will test myself once I can get off this chair. This info is very helpful, keep them coming girls!!!!

I have this Pilates abs workout dvd and it is very good. It lasts 30 minutes but that is all you need as it is such an intense and focussed workout.