*PHOTO* my mum tum is horrid - any advice please?

[mumtimesthree]

Excuse the photo, please no nasty comments :(
I've had 3 babies and I'm aware my tummy is horrid and it depresses me daily. I'm just wondering if there is any way to tone up? I eat a good (ish) diet, I don't binge and I do lots of walking. My youngest is 1 next month but I've had this belly since my first! It's got to the point I feel the need to tuck it away and it's painful! I just can't seem to get rid of it even a little bit. What exercises are best please? I feel completely ashamed and embarrassed. Thank you in advance for any advice you can offer. Again, sorry for the photo.

I feel like it will never look remotely 'normal and flat' ever again.

Go easy on yourself, it's really not as bad as you seem to think! Your body has done an amazing thing giving life to three babies so don't beat yourself up for not looking like Kate Moss! Saying that, I totally get that it's important to feel confident and good about yourself. I'm no expert on diet and exercise-have you tried running? My tummy has never been as toned as when I ran loads but did no ab exercises. Could you afford a personal trainer to guide you?

Look up ‘the tuplar technique’

You need to wear the belt and do the exercises for 6 weeks but it will work

Jillian Micheals 30 day shred changed mine majorly.

Sympathy-mine is not great either. I'm pregnant with my third and have an absolutely massive bump. I had muscle separation after the second so who knows what state it will be in this time. No advice, just empathy x

You've has 3 babies that's amazing so your body will be different. The important thing however is to become happy with it, either through change, acceptance or both.

I'm concerned by your saying you are in pain? I would suggest you make an app't with a women's physio and see what they say about your body. Then you can look to take appropriate exercise for example based on their advice

There is nothing unusual about your tummy for many women who have given birth.

After my first, my tummy went back to how it was before, not a single stretch mark or sag, although I had a very slight pouch caused by the section scar at the bottom.

This time, a year after my second birth, my tummy is similar to yours, but is going down as I am still slowly losing weight, walking and trying to eat healthier.

Think of your skin as a balloon that has been blown up, the elastic has been stretched, and won't be quite the same again. But it's the same for everyone, in varying degrees. Don't be so down on yourself

Look up MuTu system on line, also Katy Bowman - they both look at posture & where your ribs/ hips are , I think many of us stay in the pregnancy tilt , also have you got a DR- diastastis recti where the tissue own your middle from ribs to pelvis may not have come closer to where it started before babies stretched it. Both have on line stuff, how to check postures and gaps and really helpful advice

I think you look beautiful

I've only had one but mine is pretty similar. I try not to think of it negatively. It's like a badge of honour that I carried my son. My shrink marks are the same. I'm growing rather fond of them

I'm interested to see what suggestions you get. I'm going to try just toning up my abdominal muscles, see if that helps. I'm going to use the 30 day Ab Challenge app.

Watch your diet and try Callanetics.

Sit ups start low and do 10 extra every days !! Hula hooping is really good I got one on amazon for around £10, swimming, treadmill or exercise bike. Drink lots of water xx

What will help is building the muscle tone so lots of sit ups is the easiest way. You should feel the pull in your muscles. Put your hands behind your head and lift your upper body toward your toes. Start with 10 and work up to 100 a day. Horse riding is great for toning stomachs and thighs if that's an option?

You'll never get your pre baby belly back, you can't exercise away stretched skin.

Your stomach isn't in that bad a nick tbh. Your muscles look sound enough. Work on your core strength and stomach muscles but ultimately if you want rid of it then it's surgery.

It honestly doesn't look that bad for 3 kids tbh.

It's really not that bad!!!!!

Lots of planks if you can manage it, and that awfully embarrassing exercise where you thrust your hips in the air. Look for YouTube ab workout videos but be careful not to hurt your back if you haven't practiced exercising before

Thank you so much for the reassuring and positive comments everyone. It has made me feel heaps better! Tbh every day I look in the mirror and compare myself to other mums and feel disgusted with myself but as many of you have rightly said - I've carried and birthed 3 babies and I should be and 100% am completely proud and thankful. I will look into everyones suggestions and I'm particularly interested in the 30 day shred. Thank you so much x