Okay ladies! So it's been two years since I had my sweet little one. I have been back to my normal weight for the most part...kept 5lbs that I probably needed! LOL! BUT, I can't seem to get this bump off my belly. Sometimes it looks I am two - three months pregnant. Espcaially after I eat, it's like a balloon that blows up under my shirt. I do not workout consistently. I do off and on throughout the week. Walking, situps, leg lifts, etc. I have a gym membership but hardly ever have time to go with juggling, work, dinner, activities, etc. I am also a healty eater for the most part too. Some people are telling me it's genetics and that it's there for keeps, but I refuse to believe it! I have seen and know many women whose bellies show no signs of childbirth. I want one of those... HAHAHA!! Anyone know of a great workout plan?? I want to be toned up and inshape for the next bambino. Thanks for any help offered!!
E.,
I had to loose mine to get into a bridesmaid dress. I tried everything. The only thing that worked for me was "The Flat Belly Diet". It is a great book. I followed their plan and did lots of strength training, weights. It worked! I lost major inches off my waist and hips.
Try it. Hope it works for you too.
S.
Hi E.,
We have done the workouts from Beach Body. They have the slim in 6 series that is a good starter program. The one we absolutely love is P90X when you follow the nutrition plan and the workouts you get awesome results. They are DVDs and all the workouts are done at home. Very little equipment needed. I went from a size 12 to a size 6-8 and was toned all over. It is worth the investment. I have 6 children and I am 44 years old and a grandma last month!! Their website is beachbody.com check it out!
Just do some sit ups/cruches before you get dressed in the morning. The extra muscles will act like a girdle to hold the stomach in after you eat.
E., It could just be that you need to strengthen your core and abdominal muscles. You mentioned that your belly swells after eating. This could be something else entirely. It could be anything from gas to something more serious like ovarian cancer. I remember reading an article by Gilda Radnor. She was on Saturday Night Live a long time ago. She had and died of ovarian cancer. Since she was not diagnosed early it had already spread. She decided that she wanted people to know what the signs were before she died. She wrote articles and I believe a book as well. A lot of the signs are signs that could be chalked up to something else. I remember one of them being stomach swelling after eating. My niece and SIL both have this happen and they both have had the annual OB/GYN exams that have come back with something that the doctors (different drs.) are watching. Early signs if you will. I am not trying to scare you but I would definetely ask your OB/GYN on your next visit. In the mean time work on strengthening your core and abs. If you have work out videos already check them to see if they have specific exercises for core and abs. God Bless!
hi,
I am also facing the same problem after my son is born and i am fit like you. I have been doing workout also. if you come up with great idea i would like to adapt it. thanks.
Your body changes after pregnancy and often your weight shifts to new places so just because you are at your pre-pregnancy weight doesnt mean you will look the same as you did before. I Just realized this myself when I got back to the weight I was before my firs child and still looked fat. Now I need to drop at least 10 more lbs to look even close to what I did before. I still have my baby belly too. I want a tummy tuck LOL and no I wont go there.
talk to your doctor about this. i had the same problem and it turns out i have something called syndrome x. it pretty much means your body cant handle sugar... precursor to diabetes 2 look it up see if it sounds anything like you. its also called insulin resistance or metabolic disorder. good luck!
Pilates is great for strengthening the core. There are some pilates studios out there if you husband could help you out it would be a good break from the baby and a workout for you. Or use videos.
The South Beach Diet is amazing. I am a mom of 3, an 11 year old boy and twin girls that are eight. After my twins were born my husband's dr. put him on South Beach to help him get his colesterol and weight under control. I did it as well and have changed the way I eat. It has been 6 years now and I still love it. South Beach reduces carbs which contribute to belly fat and it also gives you more energy. All you need to do it buy the book, there is also a cookbook that has lots of yummy receipes. As for exercise, I found easy videos to be the best. Back in the 1990s I got Cindy Crawfords first workout video (she has on a red swimsuit on the front). I have done the routines for years and they really help keep you strong and take less than 30 minutes per day. I don't know if you can find one anymore. I have bought several videos since but I still go back to her for quick results. Good luck - you will love your body if you do those 2 things. It is not easy but so worth it.
One word:
PILATES!
Okay, more words: It really, really works. I've had 3 kids and I swear by pilates. You have to stick with it though. It is hard at first, but I promise it works. Classes are best, because the instructor can help if you aren't doing it right. But, I use videos at home too. I'd say 1/2 a day and you will quickly see results- and feel so much stronger and longer. Good luck!
truly, I do think it is genetic. I come from a long line of women who have the bump. The only comfort I get from it is that that I have great legs.... I, too could exercise, lose weight etc. (which I have done over the years) and it did not make any difference at all to my belly. Sorry to disappoint.... maybe liposuction I haven't tried that....
Exercise tv has on demand workouts that you could try. It's nice because you can workout from home. Even if you only have 10min you can get a set of abs done. This is all I did to get ready for my second pregnancy and was very pleased with the results (I also concentrated on legs). I had a problem with loose skin after my first child and tightening my abs really helped with apperance. I had a six pack for the first time in my life! It was almost ashame to get pregnant.
